This post is intended as a place for discussions about International Travel ONLY. We added a new post for this year in order to keep the discussion manageable.
For more information and previous discussions on the topic, please see the pages in the International Travel menu named International Travel [year number]
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Has anyone had experience with cruise lines? I’m not required to register and my new passport is not marked.
Has anyone had experiences with any cruise lines not allowing you to travel? I’m not on the registry and my new passport is NOT marked.
Interesting discussion about rights when being searched at the border when returning from a foreign trip. I found particularly interesting the discussion about rights being dependent on which airports are used to return to the country.
https://youtu.be/OERxR-48lUI?si=fBH_4l3wyIrBuxct
International traveling for the past two years. Removed from mandatory in 2024. Currently in Asia. Air BNB did another verification check with ID, and they closed my account due to check. I was asked not to stay the last day of booking and move out. They definitely caught me off guard with that one but oh well. Just wanted to up date everyone. AIRBNB be checkin.
Has anyone had any luck getting into korea once off of the registry?
Just another international travel data point: I just returned from a trip to Estonia, Finland, and Latvia and had no issues at all. I’m a former registrant and am no longer required to register.
More importantly the difference since coming off the registry. While I was registered, I was sent to secondary inspection every time I returned from international travel. Since coming off, I’ve now taken four overseas trips, and each time passport control has been completely uneventful. They don’t even seem to bat an eye when I come through the line or even act like they know about it.
Regarding International Travel; while a registrant I traveled to Mexico via auto, across the California border. I never had a problem getting into Mexico, but always went to secondary coming back to California. I flew to Cabo out of the TJ airport while registered and was sent to secondary for 15 minutes and flew to Cabo out of TJ once shortly after release from the registry. I took a chance and did not file my travel plans ever while going to Mexico. I started going post probation (2009) and finally my last Cabo trip after release from the registry the US took my passport. Shocking, but it was a matter of bad timing on my part. I travelled too soon after release from registering, but after a few months and lots of letters to any and every US Gov’t agency I got my passport back, clean, no notification and a letter from AW stating I’m a “free” man. The reason to revoke my passport was that it did not have the SO notification, although I was not required to register any longer. My first replacement passport came back with the notification, which I then returned and said it was a clerical error and got the clean new passport. I did drive into Mexico last month for a couple of days R&R and crossing the border was a snap, no secondary!
I did travel to Indonesia once as a registrant, filed my travel plans and was locked up and sent home the next day. I have been denied travel on RC cruise lines and have been denied staying at Air BNB’s, even after presenting my release documentation. The punishment is forever. Be wise with your travel plans, don’t push the limit like I did
Border Cops Detained Me for Hours Without Explanation. They Won’t Tell Me Why. (Reason.com 20 Aug 2026)
CBP claims dictatorial powers over Americans coming home. A big part of that is hiding information.
PFRs are subject to what this gent experienced when returning from overseas travel. Recommend reading this to understand the deal, your rights, admin v criminal, and then redress once freed. It is one thing to know who is coming in to protect those in this country already, but it is another to abuse it as seen here and by others who address it in the forum. The pressure needs to be continued to find out as much as possible. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” – FDR ’33 Inaugural Address
Just returned from Paris.
France passport control was the easiest I’ve ever experienced. The EES makes entering and exiting automated and easy. My experience was no different than any other person.
Entering the US was also easy at CLT, considering the mandatory diversion to secondary. After a 15 minute wait for no apparently good reason, I was seen and told I was good to go without any further delay.
I know that this has probably been talked about, but if a dual citizen American registrant uses their non-American passport, is it possible for them to evade detection and to get into other countries provided they don’t leave from the USA? And would that work with Five Eyes countries such as the UK & Australia?
Thanks
I am wondering if anyone has experience returning to the USA from Europe thru IAD, BOS, DTW? I have flight options and if anyone’s experiences with secondary hassles are “better” at any airport can you please share your thoughts? Not a marked passport, still on registry. Also any thoughts about direct flight from usa to Rome or Athens as a point of entry into Europe? I’m hoping for as stress free an experience(haha) as possible with all the nonsense we live w everyday. Thanks