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Just a quick update on my latest travels from the US to my overseas destination…(no, I won’t provide details till the ink is dry on the papers – we’re in the final stages so hopefully soon.) This will be mostly an update from the US side since it’s kind of interesting…
I flew from Chicago ORD to Boston BOS and then overseas from BOS. I went through TSA security in Chicago on my way to Boston. In Boston they have a shuttle on the secure side to take passengers from the domestic flight terminal A to the international terminal E. I did not have to go through TSA again, not did I have to go through any type of international passport control.
I can’t say for sure if my passport was ever scanned on the outbound side, but I seem to remember that being done.
The airlines of course have my passport number in their computer and of course that’s transmitted to the Feds, so most likely there is no longer a need to actually scan a passport to know who is leaving the country. But it’s weird – when I leave my soon-to-be new home overseas they have very tight passport control both coming and going. You get a paper receipt each time your passport is scanned and the Ministry of Interior keeps a file for everyone showing their entries/exits.
When I got to Boston I went directly to the gate to check in with the gate agent, got my free upgrade to Premier class (yay!!), and then went through the security procedure for the country I was flying to (staffed by nationals of that country, not US people).
I did provide my 21-days notice, about two months prior to my trip as usual.
When I arrived overseas I did not have to go through secondary screening/interrogation. First time since 2016 where I was just handed my entry ticket and welcomed. My guess is that a) the green notice from the US was not processed overseas or somehow didn’t make it to my file, b) the new administration’s cost-cutting steps served to delay the notice enough that it didn’t make it in time, or c) they finally realized that I have a valid long-term visa and am awaiting citizenship and just disregarded any notification from the US. Regardless, it was really nice to make it to baggage claim long before my baggage. That’s a recent first for me.
Apologies that I can’t provide more details of where I am or what steps I’m going through, but I’m not willing to take the chance that something I post online will create a hiccup in the works. I’ll post all that once it’s safe to do so.
Recent Cruise Travel – Carnival
I had a recent Carnival cruise to Mexico (Long Beach to various ports: Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, La Paz).
Background: “Possession” in 2003, Federal Felony, was never on a website, obtained relief from the registry a few years ago. Never had a marked passport.
No issues from Carnival when booking or arriving. Passports are scanned before you can board the ship.
The day of the first port of call, I was told to report to the ship’s library. There I was met by Mexican immigration and was told I would not be allowed to go ashore in Mexico. She was unsure why the flag was in their system (or didn’t want to tell me) but there was no discussion on the matter.
For their part, Carnival didn’t seem to care that Mexican Immigration had singled me out and there was no comment from them nor any issues on board. A refund of my shore excursions was given and my family had a great time while I read poolside and enjoyed the buffet.
I have a suspicion that a green notice is lingering from an aborted trip to Belize several years ago (was still on the registry, had given 21-day notice, airlines called and cancelled my ticket 2 days prior to the flight based on notice from Belize I would be denied entry).
Last day of the cruise we were back in Long Beach. Immigration officers scanned everyone’s face and a big green light indicated I was good to go.
Recent Travel – Baja California (Tijuana/Rosarito)
I drove south through San Ysidro into Tijuana down to Rosarito. There appears to be some documenting of vehicle traffic and maybe even facial recognition but I don’t know if this is US or Mexico. Some vehicles are waived down by Mexican authorities, ours was not and no one routinely looks at papers driving into Mexico.
No issues while in Mexico and day trips around the Baja Norte area.
Long lines at the border to cross back into US but ever since getting off the registry I have not been sent to secondary (historically, EVERY time I came back to US I was flagged for secondary).
A few questions on where we went, did we have any items to declare, waived on through.
And, when I had to register. I went to Dominican Republic twice in the Santiago, and then I was denied third time going to DR, in Puerta Plato. I should have kept my Santiago route but it made the trip longer.
2. Question, does being denied once put you on some type of list with that country? I wanted to go back through Santiago, now that I’m off of registry. (Experience please)
Guess this could go under international travel.
I saw a commercial for ‘Viking ship tours’ that specifically mentioned an Adults only tour ship. No children and a few other benefits. Maybe an option?
Do any former registrants have any experience with long layovers?
I am flying to Aruba via Panama, but it has an 11hr overnight layover.
My destination isn’t Panama, but I’m debating what happens in those scenarios
are alerts sent to every airport where the former RSOs are transiting? Are they only sent to the final destination?
Have any former registrants gone on any cruises over the past year or so? I’m a former registrant, misdemeanor crime, 3 years probation and no jail time almost 30 years ago and never listed online. No other convictions. Expunged ten years ago and COR 4 years ago.
I’ve gone on ten or so cruises over the years, post conviction without issue however my last one was in 2019 while still a registrant.
I know some cruise lines have since gotten more strict and deny some registrants but have any former registrants had any experience? I’ve accepted that I likely won’t be able to visit the Mexico ports (cruise out of Long Beach) all of my former cruises allowed me to visit ports although I know it’s changed since. Looking to book an anniversary vacation for my wife and I and wondering if we can expect to be issue free or not since my crime no longer exists and I’m registry free. Thanks!
Went to Kenya, honestly other than Nairobi National Park it was not worth it. The whole place is a money trap and most people want USD.
Especially in the Masai village. Like they wanted $100 for some $2 factory made stuff they claimed to be made in the village.
For the same price what I’d spent there I could have hung out in Bali for a month 🙃
@Atwo Zee
WRT Flirting with Ontario:
Peace Arch Park in Blaine, WA – straddles the border as you seek.
I’m writing to report on recent travel experience. I have not been on a registry for a long time Isince 2010) but am a former registrant. I traveled with no issues (as expected) flying into Paris and spent some time in France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Poland over about a 3-week time frame.
What I wanted to report on is that I did not experience any issues such as being sent to secondary upon my return through Minneapolis. This is the second time in two years I have returned (last time was thru Atlanta) without being sent to secondary. I will also note that in 2011 about 6 months after I got off a registry I experienced what seemed like an “almost” with secondary as the agent scanned the passport, acted surprised about some things on the screen, grumbled something about not wanting to deal with this today and overriding and then sent me through. In 2012, I was just sent through as if there was no issue as I did the last two years. I did not travel internationally between 2012 and 2023.
I have experienced secondary before when I was still on a registry prior to 2010. So when I was on a registry I was getting sent to secondary even before the IML.
After some research and thought I’m hazarding a trip outside the USA, initially into Paris France. From there I’ll head to Spain and Portugal before returning to the USA, again out of Paris. People here have mentioned that Paris is one of the better airports (CDG) for us and so I booked my initial flight into Paris. I’d presume that flights/trains elsewhere in Europe from Paris (Spain, Portugal) are considered ‘domestic’ and so we don’t have to worry given our unique circumstances (e.g., gov notices).
For background, I don’t carry a marked passport nor am I required to provide advance notice of travel, though I still appear on the national registry because I’m listed in Florida. I long ago was removed from my home state’s registry (obviously not Florida).
My question is what I can expect at Charles de Gaul airport upon arrival. I have read that there are eGates at CDG that we can use instead of having to deal with an actual immigration officer… that sounds quite appealing. Does anyone have actual experience with CDG arrival procedures? With eGates?
thanks for any feedback. Fingers crossed 🤞.
🇪🇺 ETIAS Update 🇪🇺
ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.
Has anyone here have experience traveling to Fiji while on or off the registry? Curios to what other’s experiences have been.
So,does anyone know what happens when a German citizen who is on the registry and is required to give the 21 day notice travels to Europe? I am not a US citizen so no US passport.
I am German and I have been on the registry here in the US for 7 years now. Technically I can petition to be removed at year 10 but I must travel back for family reasons. I am planning on flying to Paris and travelling on from there.
Does a holder of a European passport get extra scrutiny? Does the US inform Germany that I am leaving when I do the 21 day notice? Can I use the automatic passport check gates as I am an EU passport holder?
Thank you in advance
Is anybody booking flights from Paris to other destinations in advance (while in the US?) Basically having a ticket to the next destination in hand when arriving in Paris from the US? Thanks in advance answers.
It is getting more difficult to give relevant advice on this page. It seems we should have an International Travel 2025 Still Forced to Register and an International Travel 2025 No Longer Registered page.
Something to be considered by the webpage moderators and maintainers.
Passport renewal question…
Has anyone with a marked passport applied for and received a passport renewal? Did you get your old passport back?
When my passport was revoked I didn’t get it back, meaning that I lost the work visa which was pasted into it and had to go through the hassle of getting a new copy.
I’m curious now if I’ll get back my current passport with the new copy of my visa when I renew my passport. It will be a regular renewal and not a revocation, so hopefully that helps. But if I don’t get the current visa back it really is a PITA to get a new copy (and I’ll be without it for a couple of months while overseas – and it’s my only form of ID and work authorization here).
I know that a non-marked passport sent in for renewal is customarily returned after the renewal is processed, hoping it’s the same for a marked one.
Thanks.
Has anyone tried visiting Taiwan recently? I looked all over and there is very limited information about Taiwan but it is listed as one of the countries that do deny RSOs entries. My partner wanted to go to Taiwan with me (a citizen of Taiwan). He is still required to register and has marked passport and will need to inform 21 days prior to the trip. It was 30+ years ago conviction and tier 2. Anyone has any information would be greatly appreciated!
Croatia and Spain to start fingerprinting visitors coming in. More info online but it’s happening.
Hi,
I need some help confirming travel restrictions to Cabo San Lucas from Los Angeles LAX airport and/or your recent experiences traveling to and from these locations. Or, if you can provide resources that would help me determine whether or not I am permitted to travel to Cabo, that would be helpful also.
My reason for travel would be to attend a family wedding with my wife and kids for about 1 week in July 2026. I’m not on probation/parole, RSO as of 2014 with a (1) Fel PC 288.3a. I have an active passport with no identifier.
This 288.3 is one of several offenses for which a tier reduction was recommended by the CASOMB, I don’t know what the current status is for legislatures following this recommendation.
If you have any questions or need additional details, please let me know.
Thanks in advance for your help and feedback, you’re greatly appreciated.
Why are so many people worried about flying directly into Spain?
I keep reading this but haven’t seen datapoints as to why.
thanks
I came off the registry last year and had my first overseas travel since. No problems. I took a connecting flight from Europe to Montreal and was a little concerned about coming into Canada, but you actually go through US Customs in the Montreal Airport. There was no secondary and they seemed so understaffed, I doubt many went through secondary.
Not what I was expecting, and this is a little concerning. Starting now, anyone traveling to
Europe will have to download an app and pre-register. Sweden is the first country to require this, but it’ll be rolled out across all other countries soon.
—————
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees
Travel To Europe AppEU and Schengen countries have made the Travel to Europe app available, which can be used to submit their passport data and facial image, and answer entry questions up to 72 hours before scheduled entry to the block.
When you enter the Schengen Area for the first time, when this EES is in place, the immigration officer will verify your information provided using the self-service system or app.
On subsequent stays, you can use self-service gates to enter and exit the block, making the entry and exit a smooth process.
The purpose of the EES is to track visa holders and those who don’t require a visa when they enter or exit the area, ensuring they don’t overstay. If an overstay occurs, the system correctly records the information.
**** Important Update on Cruises ****
Booked with NCL for a Mediterranean cruise months ago. We were recently (less than 3 weeks before cruise date) sent information about their cruise policies, which listed the sex offense registry as a potential issue. My wife and I were concerned but still hopeful. Unfortunately I received a call from them just days before departure that I was flagged by their security and cannot board.
I was shocked by this news as my offense was almost 20 years ago with no issues traveling internationally since. We are now left reeling trying to figure out how to deal with the damage.
I don’t know if this is a change in their policies or not. Has anyone gone with NCL and sailed despite their SO policy?
I would strongly recommend against going on any cruises at this time, especially if NCL, which has historically been favorably disposed to allowing PFR’s to sail with them, has just recently changed their stance.
I’m dreaming of visiting Okinawa island (japan) … would that be out of the question? Going through third countries? I don’t currently have a marked passport nor do I need to provide advance notice of travel.
I’ll be applying for removal from Florida next year. Would it make any difference if I’m off all registries?
any chance? Thanks.