Registrant Travel Action Group (RTAG – www.registranttag.org), an RSOL affiliate organized to protect the international travel rights for lawful travel of registrants, is putting together a travel matrix, to serve as a snapshot guide to warn which countries you may have difficulty traveling to.
Since the US is now sending out travel alerts whenever a registered citizen travels, you need to be mindful of issues you may have at certain borders.
The below matrix is a work-in-progress and if you have traveled internationally as a registered citizen, we ask that you share your experience with RTAG (good or bad), so that information can be shared.
You can reach RTAG at the following:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1.972.638.0651
Area | Country | SOs turned away | Law keeping out SOs | Law keeping out felons | SO Registry | ||||||
Mexico | Mexico | YES | YES | Unk | NO | ||||||
Canada | Canada | YES | YES | YES | YES | ||||||
Central Amer | Belize | NO | NO | NO | NO | ||||||
Costa Rica | YES | NO | Unk | NO | |||||||
Guatemala | NO | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Panama | YES | YES | YES | NO | |||||||
Nicaragua | YES | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Caribbean | Aruba | NO | NO | NO | NO | ||||||
Bahamas | NO | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Dom republic | YES | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Jamaica | YES | NO | NO | YES | |||||||
St Lucia | NO | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Trinidad | NO | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
South Amer | Argentina | YES | YES | Unk | Unk | ||||||
Brazil | YES | YES | Ukn | Unk | |||||||
Chili | NO | NO | NO | Unk | |||||||
Colombia | YES | NO | NO | Unk | |||||||
Europe | France | NO | NO | NO | NO | ||||||
Germany | NO | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Ireland | YES | NO | NO | YES | |||||||
Italy | NO | NO | NO | YES | |||||||
Netherlands | NO | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Spain | NO | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
UK | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||||||
Asia | Australia | Y/N | YES | YES | YES | ||||||
China | Y/N | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Japan | Y/N | YES | YES | NO | |||||||
Hong Kong | NO | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Korea | YES | NO | NO | YES | |||||||
Indonesia | YES | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Loas | Y/N | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
New Zealand | YES | YES | YES | YES | |||||||
Singapore | YES | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Thailand | Y/N | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
Vietnam | Y/N | NO | NO | NO | |||||||
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|||||||||||
Middle East | Dubai | YES | NO | NO | NO | ||||||
Lebanon | NO | NO | NO | NO |
I’m here in Texas and my girlfriend is in the Philippines. We want to meet but not sure where to meet. Do anyone know any asian countries that won’t turn me away? I’m a lifetime register.
I see Japan has 4 no’s, is that true??
The matrix has been updated with the most current information that is known. I do not know of any Asian countries. You can choose a Europe Schengen nation to meet in as they are not a problem. That would be my suggestion and just make sure everyone has no issues.
No neither the RTAG or FAC travel matrix have been updated to include Hong Kong having turned at least one sex offender away. They are still continuing to falsely inform people that Hong Kong has not refused entry to a sex offender.
I take personal issue with this as I had been to Hong Kong 4 times before the latest refusal in May. This information should be updated so others don’t waste money trying to go to Hong Kong only to be registered entry.
I will answer this as I’m in a similar relationship. My wife and I have previously been going to Hong Kong for vacations. The last time we tried in May I was turned away. I have the identifier on my passport and have to notify of international travel. We have been to Barbados during COVID there was no issue there. We ended up going to Europe in August after I was registered in Hong Kong. My wife needed to get a visa and we entered in Amsterdam.
On a side note the travel matrix ignored me notification of being refused entry into Hong Kong. I no longer trust their matrix when I personally tried to notify them if a change and they totally ignored it.
The matrix has not been updated because of a situation with Paul that has prevented it, but everyone still tries to update the notes as they travel. I don’t see from any of our experience that the matrix is not accurate still at this time. I do know that Europe Schengen countries have been no issue from our own experience. It is important that everyone continue to update this with notes and support if they can to help each other.
There is no one managing at this time due to personal issues and why it is important that everyone who travels post the issues or non issues so that others know. Unless information is posted and shared no one knows. We have to help each other and not rely on someone to keep updates, we all have trouble sometimes and can’t rely on anything except experiences. Please post about any issue you may have regarding travel!
Is the matrix only based on a certain group of people’s experience? If this is the case it should be noted. I did my part of notifying that I experienced a entry refusal in Hong Kong but if our registered citizens as a whole experiences aren’t recorded it makes it much less useful.
I’m not sure how many have experienced entry refusal but it is a nightmare. Especially when your meeting someone at the destination. I hope others don’t have to go through the shame of being refused entry and being treated like a criminal.
The matrix is created based on folks experiences, facts that have been gathered or reported – and yes people have made trips and been turned away and lost money, etc. It is hard and a chance everyone takes. That is why reporting experiences is important. I don’t know when you reported your experience in Hong Kong, but I know that Paul has been gone for sometime and not sure if matrix can be updated – I will try – but reporting here so folks can read is very important. Asking questions – helping others. We all want the same good experience. I am not sure about the florida site. I try to report all our trips and experiences even in the states – although we have not had any issues on any of our travel, but I try to check ahead of time as well with country and or state.
Thanks
https://justfactsnotfear.com/international-travel-for-registrants/
This Matrix is updated as of 1/2024
Hey! Anyone been to Thailand?? Husband with adult case from 20 years ago.
Have anyone cruised with MSC?
i have a question, first i will start with saying, im not affected by being on the registry. i live a normal life, no one bothers me or recognizes me, i never had a problem getting a job even tho i disclose at the interview my past. but physiologically, being on the registry bothers me.
i visited spain recently. and [moderated] my light research shows me that too, spain welcomes foreign investors and you can get residency right away instead of waiting 3 years.
i am considering doing this. my question is, if i go this route and become a spain citizen, what will happen with me in the us? should i just fly back every year and take my picture and back to spain? am i allowed to leave the us 1 year at a time as long as i alert my state i am doing so? or should i just become spain citizen and never come back? or is there any other thoughts you guys have that i didnt think of?
I’m happy that the registry has not effected your life. I wish that was the case for me and my wife. We just celebrated our 10 year anniversary being kept apart the entire time. I can say with certainty that being on the registry has cost me more than $1,000,000 between paying lawyer fees to try to bring my wife to the US and lost income. I have had 3 job offers rescinded once notified of the registry. Been terminated once with no reason given. Once not hired in a sale of the company.
The registry is proven repeatedly to be ineffective and punishment. I do wish more on the registry had your experience but I believe the vast majority of us experience the opposite.
Just out of curiosity could you let us know what state your living in or part of the country. May help some of us to have similar experience as yours.
I didnt say being on the registry or this experience has not impacted our lives. We lost everything we had in efforts to fight and had to rebuild but lost our jobs and retirement. But we have not had issues with travel. Our son is on federal supervised release for life for possession of 1 picture of a relative and we live in a district that does not support reduction. We have been in this nightmare aince 2006 and he was 22 at the time. Believe me it has left significant issues. But we try to travel and enjoy our life. We search for happy everyday. We live in Texas. We make the best of life and try to not focus on the negative. But i never said we were not affected. He has had job issues also but we created a company and forged our way ahead. We face challenges daily and hate the situation and every piece of this but we try not to let it ruin our lives more. Find a place you can be happy.
My reply was actually for John the original poster but I understand the confusion. I replied here many months after his original post.
No worries. All working together!.
Spain is the destination and Barcelona specifically where we went on an student exchange situation and feel in love with art and each other.
Summer is here and the wife and I are hankering for a long over due international vacay now that I have an unstamped passport. Started out registering in Florida (life for all) left for the west coast (Ca was life but changed to a tired system there I was able to petition the court
for removal so I no longer actively register anywhere. I am still “listed” in Florida in name only but not updated for 20 years.
It’s my first trip and I want to assure that Spain will not not let me in. as any one flown directly into Barcelona from the USA and been detained or worse NOT allowed Entry?
We have been several times in last 2 years and our son has it in passport. They didn’t say a word. No issues in any Schengen country.
My understanding is that Germany declared our little sex offender registry scheme to be in violation of the European convention on human rights. I’m thinking with Spain is the other country that did that but I may be wrong.
Hello , Any one just travel to Europe recently? Especially Portugal ? hows your travel experience?
I went to madrid 12/27/22 and no questions.They just wanted to make sure I had a return or forward trip booked
Hi Mario , have you been travel to Europe recently? how was it? I hope you can share cz were planning to travel one day
What about Egypt and Israel I was thinking about a holy land tour
Hello Guys, anyone have an idea about moving or retire in Portugal? I check they have criminal record background check, any idea how if its 5 or 10 years check only? Or do you know place in Europe that good to retire? I hope you can notice my comment.
hi, i have no indicator on passport, i am on the registry, my crime was about 8-9 years ago. i am traveling to hong kong from hawaii. never traveled before, so everything is new to me. what i found out today after paying for my ticket, is i am “leaving visa free zones” according to the email, to japan, vietnam, and australia for lay overs. these 3 places deny SOs, does any one know if they will deny me before i even arrive hk? the email suggest i apply visas for each country, do i need to apply visas for each country just for a few hours? or is that a standard email to everyone and doesnt apply to everyone? with this sticky situation does any one have any kind of advice for me or how to handle this? thanks
Got turned away in hong kong. Had been 3 times in the past each time always questioned but allowed in. My wife and I were both there they separated us and denied me entry. She is Filipino and arrived from philipines. I came from US we timed arrivals to get there to go through immigration together.
Again hong kong has now turned away at least one registered individual. Misdemeanor conviction 20 years ago passport identifier.
Hi oh sorry to hear about that , but I think you can settle down in Nepal or somewhere in Europe z I think there they accept RSO especially if convection is long time . Advice just don’t give up till your together and always pray
Travelers in TS’ situation are urged to complete a RTAG Travel Experience Report (link below). That will help spread the word and prevent additional travelers from wasting a trip to Hong Kong.
http://registranttag.org/travel-experience-report/
Im a citizen of Sri-lanka and the US I have no identifier and i am a level 1 from Northern California. i read on facts not fear that sex offenders are not turned away from Sri-Lanka, but im not sure. I was also wondering even if i get an identifier on my US passport can I use my Sri-Lankan passport to travel anywhere? Im thinking of giving my 21 day notice to travel to Sri-lanka then for a few weeks travel to Japan from Sri-Lanka and return to Sri-Lanka
I’m sorry about that. Did you give a 21 day notice and have a identifier on your passport?
Also curious what did they say in terms of your denial?
I would recommend maybe speaking to a immigration lawyer from Hong Kong about this and also consider flying into the country from another destination to avoid any notice being directly sent.
Yes I gave the legally required 21 day notice. Circumventing the requirement I’m concerned would end up getting me a felony conviction. I’ve just decided I won’t return to hong kong cost over $3000 because of this. Not worth taking a chance again we will go to Europe next time.
hi I hope your doing fine, did you and your filipina see each other again after what happened to hongkong? Have you travel to Europe? if yes where? cz Im planning to trVel too one day
Yes we ended up doing a trip in Europe started and ended in Amsterdam. No issues at all. Just had to get her the visa in advanced.
Oh that’s good news, Is Barbados always welcome an RSO? We have similar situation and hoping to see my wife in barbados, is it easy for filipina to visit there?
We went during COVID so things may have changed but I was not even questioned upon arrival. There was no visa requirement for Filipino citizens at the time.
I started my retirement travel journey on 12/25/22. I landed in madrid en route to Portugal.They gave me a hard time because I had no return trip scheduled back to USA.Didn’t mention my rso status.They just don’t want people migrating to their country and using resources.Had to prove I had enough money to sustain my self. Had paid printouts of where I was staying for the first 42 days. and social security document proving my deposit each month. I caught a bad chest cold and was nervous about getting ill in a foreign country. I came back after 3 weeks but plan to return in 2 months.Had no real problem getting in. Thanks.
We had traveled many times and had a passport with no identifier until last September they sent a revocation letter. We returned it even though.we had just gotten a new one in may and reapplied for another as we have several overseas trips planned.. the new passport arrived with the identifier now on the signature page right above main passport page. Now in a place it will for sure be seen. Worried about travel but will take it and see. We travel to italy and spain in april. Prayers for us.
I’ve traveled to Europe 4 times since 2019 with the identifier,They never check,never been asked about it.Just make sure you have a return or onward travel ticket to show.Good Luck.
My passport just says on the bottom of main page under passport expiration date. see page 27. that’s where the identifier statement is.No one ever checked,some won’t care about the rso status. Just go and travel and you should be okay.
HI Mario If you dont mind I ask , Is Portugal good to visit? Are retiring in Europe now?
Hi.Portugal is beautiful,affordable with lots to do and see.Lots of walking and lots of hills.I stayed in great hostels for $10 a night with free breakfast. rooms were clean and beds and lockers perfect for travellers.I will be leaving the U.S. for good end of September ending up in Tirana , Albania where the cost of living is very cheap for expats and retirees.Plus you can stay there for 1 year without a visa. I’ll still travel thru western europe every 90 days or so. Chance to save lots of money staying in eastern europe. My passport expires in 2029 so I have lots of time to apply for residency somewhere.Thanks.
oh wow thats good to know about Portugal why not retire in Portugal? … Is Albania allow RSO? cz we might consider there if everything fine.
Cathy, did they change where the stamp goes? From reading your post the stamp did not appear on page 27 as is supposed to go – unless the rule has changed!
Apparently it has changed and is now on front main page above where signature goes. We were shocked when it arrived. If there is anything written that says on page 27 that would be helpful but we have not found that.
Ouch, Thank you, Cathy. Mine says look on page 27 but page 27 is blank. I know the law says I am supposed to have the stamp so I am planning to get my passport redone.
We traveled on his old passport 4 times in 2022 then had a new one done and traveled 3 more times before they sent revokation letter. Because they didnt put it in. We had to pay again for their error. Because we paid expedite and they gave him a passport card and passport without anything. When they revoked it they kept it and made us apply for a completely new passport with birth certificate everything and pay yet again.
Took 6 weeks and this time it is on the page above the laminated page the one you sign.
Frustrating and totally not needed after we had traveled to europe 7 times.
HI Cathy , hows your travel in Spain . Did you fly direct from US to Spain?
We always fly direct when we go if we can but on trips where we had to connect we chose Philly – and each time it has been fine – they took him aside for questions but about 5 minutes and never checked or had issues and never here in Dallas either. We have another trip in July going back to Amsterdam, Germany, Czech, Austria, Belgium, and France. It is best to stay in Schengen nations as they are all welcoming.
Hi Mario, do you an idea about retirement in Portugal? or a place that good to retire?
good and affordable even on S,S, checks.
have you been to Portugal recently? We like to go there
My husband is an RSO. Will we be able to travel to Ireland and Scotland?
Unless you are citizens of those countries, it is unlikely.
I want to see my gf in Nigeria I’m a Canadian rso. Will there be an issue?
Absolutely not. The U.K. appears to exclude any RSO’s under the same “catch all” law that they used to exclude that crazy Dutch parliamentarian Pim Fortuyn. Ironically, the U.K. courts had declared lifetime registration illegal under EU human rights laws/treaties prior to Brexit.
If he is able to get off the registry would that help?
UK and Ireland policy is to deny entry for felons generally. If his conviction was a misdemeanor and he gets off the registry, or there is some other circumstance (such as citizenship) then that may help.
Always best to contact their embassies in advance of making travel plans.
Does anyone know if Paraguay allows RSO’s?
Is there any problems traveling to Bulgaria?? If you’ve been to Bulgaria can you please describe anything related you may of experienced? What is Bulgaria’s approach on S/O? Just looking for a nice vacation for my family without issues. Thanks!
Can anyone tell me about traveling to Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Sudan as an RSO? What should I expect! My passport is marked.
Yes anyone have any news on Israel and Jordan?
Israel is OK to travel
I’m a 49 yo female SO who received a deferred adjudication and six years probation when I was 26 2nd degree felony sexual assault/child. He was 16. I’m a lifetime registrant in Texas.
I traveled to Egypt in Spring of 2015 with absolutely no issues getting in or staying for a month. Now that was five years ago. I wasn’t questioned by anyone about anything. I’ve been to Dubai (2018) as well. I was very anxious about Dubai as they are quite advanced in their customs security even doing an eye scan but was never questioned there either. I contacted the UAE Embassy prior to leaving and was told customs has no way of knowing unless I tell them.
Going through in Alexandria (Egypt) was the most lax security I’ve ever been through. It was basically a bunch of young Egyptian guys smoking cigarettes, playing music and playing around. There was one actual uniformed officer who briefly glanced at my passport to verify it had the Visa stamp.
It’s been five years but I still don’t think Egypt, at least in Alexandria, would be an issue if you don’t have the new required stamp on the passport stating the holder has been convicted of a sex crime with a child. In that case, I don’t know.
I am going back to Dubai in May. I haven’t yet received my letter telling me to surrender my passport to be stamped. If I don’t, I don’t anticipate it being an issue as a visa isn’t required unless you intend to stay beyond 90 days but will most likely have issues when applying for a residency. My Egyptian husband lives there and says for a tourist visa, UAE really doesn’t care. They care about all those tourist dollars.
Egypt is more in need of tourist dollars than Dubai. I know your post didn’t mention Dubai I only included it because they are so security conscious and advanced.
You posted a while ago so this might be too late but I’d be interested in knowing how things go for you. I hope you will post. Much luck to you in your travels! K
Thanks for the details to your travel! I have always wanted to travel to Dubai but have also been worried since their security is so high!
Could you reply back or post about your travels to Dubai! It’s been a dream for me to go but it be shitty to get rejected!
Good luck to your travels 🙂
I traveled to Dubai in August of 2018. When I arrived very early morning hours, there was only one guy in the booth. I placed my luggage on a conveyor to go through and handed him my passport at a separate booth.
He took my passport, flipped through, asked me to step back for an eye scan, stamped my passport and said, “Welcome to Dubai. Enjoy your stay.” He handed me my passport, I gathered my bags and went to pick up my checked baggage as quickly as possible to be honest. I really felt like there had to be an oversight or mistake. I had a long way to go to get out of baggage claim to my exit. But I had no issues. Off topic but interesting to note, Dubai (DXB) is a, “silent airport”. They have no gate calls or other announcements which is a bit odd especially when there are relatively no people anywhere.
I am planning to go back (and apply for residency) so I can be with my husband the end of May. I still haven’t received a notice to surrender my passport for the stamp, though others in my county have. Crossing my fingers that I get over there before that happens as I’m pretty certain that will cause me to be turned away.
Of course getting residency there is a whole other matter entirely. Won’t know if I don’t try but I’m really nervous as I noted here that evidently others have been turned away though it doesn’t provide any specific information about when or the charges or if they had a stamped passport.
Dubai is a cool place. Good luck in your travels. K
I forgot to ask. Did you passport have a SO stamp on it? Also did you give the police 21 day notice before you traveled? I know some states don’t require it but its federal law.
Very interested to hear your update on Dubai…. my fiancé is a RSO and we desperately want to have a nice honeymoon out of the country but we are terrified of traveling with him. He was convicted and registered as an adult at 16 for a low class sex offense with a minor in Oregon. We were thinking Dubai/Maldives honeymoon package but maybe we should just stick to Europe where we are less likely to get turned away….. we would be so heartbroken…..
Hello, I wanted to follow up if you had been to Dubai since 2018 and during your first or second time visiting you gave a 21 day notice of your travel?
Thank you!
Has anyone been turned away or have any experience traveling to France, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Estonia? Just in general I’d like to hear from anyone who has traveled to Europe or the east European countries about their experiences. Thanks for sharing! Trying to plan trips in hopes to find a place for a second start for my family.
Been to france twice this year,march & September.Also Spain,Portugal, and Belgium.No issues getting in.No questions or delays.Was stopped coming back into U.S. twice.In JFK,NYC and Miami airport.Just told to wait in a room for about 10 minutes then let go. I have the stamp on page 27 but noone bothers to notice it says see page 27 on passport page near bottom.probably agents don’t bother looking all over the page. Planning to retire early in 2022 and live in Europe and travel in & out of Schengen area if it’s still the same.
Most of Europe is OK. They are not big fans of the US and could care less about the notifications.
The public registry type thing has been declared illegal in a couple of countries in the EU if I recall correctly. I believe Germany is one in Spain maybe the other. Lifetime registration was declared illegal under the EU treaties in the UK a couple years back. But, that was before Brexit. The UK didn’t started excluding people until the United States government started sending out their little notices. The first time I know that that happened to me was in November 2013 because I got dragged into a back office in Brussels and had all of my stuff searched. For the person from Texas, remember that you were on state courts and said you can’t extend some of the stuff beyond the federal mandate so if you’re a 25 year offender under the federal system, you should be able to petition to at least get off the federal registry after 25 years. My understanding is that’s 25 years from conviction, not end of sanctions. The only question is will the feds have to go buy their own rules or will they just say that your state requires everyone to register for life so you were a lifetime registrant?
No country in the world other than the US has ever established a public registry.
Germany (which has never had a sex offender registry) argues that the UK’s police-only sex offender registry is a violation of some European human rights agreements.
Hi Mario , did you already retire in Europe now? how was it?
Hi Mario , did you successfully retired in Europe now?
I had a question. If my passport doesn’t have the stamp on it and I am flying from a country outside of the U. S. To another country will the know about my offense. What do they see when they scan my passport if I don’t have a stamp on it?
Does anyone know about and RSO going to Jordan? I see that Israel is ok as we want to go a Holy Land Tour, Just wondering if anyone has experience with Jordan or even Dubai UAE?
Has anyone travel to Hong Kong lately with the identification mark on their passport on the back page
Don’t withhold your passport from your registration office. In Florida, it’s the law!
It’s OK if the passport is not specially marked— whether it is or not is outside Florida’s jurisdiction and not your problem.
OK for passport not to be marked. But registration office must see the passport.
Can low level SOR’s move anywhere to the UK or visit? Scotland, England, Wales?
Also curious about Ukraine?
Looking for a nice place we can visit and potentially move to one day.
All info is appreciated.
The same here I’d also like to receive the same info. We are ready to leave the states both myself and wife/victim that we missed the Romeo and Juliet law by a year are ready to move. I had a misdemeanor not a felony but requires me to register in my state for 15 years and it’s been 7. Megan’s law the way it is today is nothing but a harassment tool I’d like to know the statistics to how many people are forced to register and live as second class citizens versus the cases it has actually helped by having it? I bet there’s less than a few cases a year across the whole country it actually helps and their probably violent people. If you have any info of a country where we can start over at please shoot me a message. We’re both college educated have done nothing but been assets to our communities plus we have a 2 year old daughter to think of as well.
Given the unrest in Hong Kong, I am curios if any SO has been turned away. Also, given that same unrest I am considering Thailand. The list says YES/NO….so which is it? Has anyone been turned away? I was told by a friend that he went there with no issues but he is not an SO. I am. Has anyone tried as an SO?
Thanks folks. Also if you know of steps to take to visit Thailand please pass those along.
Thailand is a no-go for registered persons.
Why are my comments not being posted ? Iam informing everyone of Canadian regisistrant treatment. Paul is very interested in this
Thank you
Certain things should not be posted publicly but your message was received
Ok thank you
Do you know if Australia is a no go ? Even if my country doesn’t send a green notice?
It is for United States registrants. Not sure about other countries’
I’m going to Hong Kong in 3 weeks, I’ll let you know
I AM CURIOUS AS TO THE RESULTS OF YOUR TRIP TO HONG KONG. WAS THERE ANY ISSUE?
THANK YOU
ROB
I got my passport with no mark. I went into hongkong and was delayed at customs but no questions about my offense. They just wanted to see my itenerary. I took a cab to Shenzhen China and was able to cross the border without a second look. They didn’t stop me or even look at me funny. I’m going to Macau in a week and will let you know. I’m wondering if they see anything on your passport if you do t have the mark. They scanned my passport in china and I had now problems. I’m afraid of being blacklisted from the Philippines because my fiancee is a Filipina but I’m thinking of taking my chances and trying it. If they don’t see anything on my passport I think I can get in. Any feedback on this is appreciated
That’s awesome good to know crossing over to China is less strict through a cab!
I think the best method if you will go to the Phillipibes would be crossing through a car, bus or train. Hopefully you could just fly under the radar. It’s flying where everyone gets screwed.
Please let me know on the rest of your travels and how it goes. Btw did you report your full itinerary to the police 21 days prior to traveling?
You’re welcome. I’ll keep you posted. I notified the police department 18 days before I left and they said it was good enough. They asked to see my passport but I told them it had just been processed and was being mailed to me. I didn’t want then to see I didn’t have a stamp. They asked for my passport number and that was good enough for them
Nice yes please let me know how it all goes. That was smart saying that btw. Not sure how you would have your passport number before it came in. But hey at least they bought it.
Also I thought you need to apply for a visa to enter China? Did you need to do that going through the boarder?
I had my Visa expedited and got a multiple entry visa. I was told by the visa agency that America doesn’t share information with china and that if I didn’t mention a criminal record they most likely wouldn’t see it
Awesome so you applied for your visa to China in the US before your departure? And you were approved for the visa and was able to travel to China.
Is that correct?
Yes that is correct. I filed for my Chinese visa in America and flew to Hong Kong. I stayed in HK for a few days and took a taxi to Shenzhen. I crossed the border without any problems. I stayed in china for 30 days and took many trains to different cities in china and had to show my passport Everytime and never had a problem. After 30 days in china I took a ferry from Shenzhen to Macau and once again had no problems.
That’s great news. Let me know any other one of your travels! I’m looking to renew my passport since it was revoked and try and travel to Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea.
Sorry I couldn’t reply to your recent message for some reason.
Yes, please let me know how you will getting to the Philippines by car, bus, or train. I’m very interested.
I was thinking of moving to Savannah. I contacted the person in charge and she said I would be sent out in the local paper and they would notify my employer. Is it different from county to county?
I was told that they were stricter in Chatham and Fulton, but that may be because they have lots of “problem children” registrants in those urban areas. If you meet the requirements of the law, you can petition to be removed from the registry in Georgia. For the majority of us, that would be 10 years since sanctions ended but possibly less if they classify you as a level 1 using their standards (different from. AWA tier 1.)
I’m getting ready to spend the next 7 years traveling to over 35 countries, most of which are in Europe and some in Africa. I am looking to get dual citizenship and trying to see where my best option is. Anyone here please modify your recent travel experience and successes. I will update all mine as I’m traveling. I heard Belize is also easy to get residency from but I thought they turned away rso’s
Regarding dual citizenship, my understanding is that you would have to apply to the country that your parents or grandparents come from, usually on the Fathers side regarding Europe. Should you want to complete your own dual citizenship, usually there is a five year residency requirement plus speaking and understanding the local language. If you do not plan on relinquishing your US citizenship, do not let the passport expire.
Each county is a bit different. I would call the embassy(ies) involved to ascertain what is required and then also look on the net to see what information is available.
My husband has completed his dual residency for Luxembourg and he is now a citizen of that country with a passport.
Good Luck,
Some countries offer the perk if you invest a certain amount in the country. Alas i believe theyre all turning offenders away anyways. Was hoping to move family to belize but guess no either. So we are stranded.
In regards to Belize, I wasn’t even allowed to leave the states to go to Belize; they denied my trip and cancelled my ticket. Did the whole shebang with notifying more than 21 days in advance, etc and I’m only a level 1 with an adult offense.
Has anyone had any recent experience going to China? I’m going next month but I’ll fly to Hong Kong first
Hong Kong has been good! From there, it’s easier to move around. Please update us on the trip.
I will update you. I am going to spend the next 7 years traveling to over 35 countries so I will have a lot of good information for everyone. After China I’ll go to Malaysia then to Morocco
Just got back from another successful trip to Europe. my husband is an RSO and has the stamp on his passport. We went to Portugal, Spain and Iceland. Had no issues at all.
That’s awesome
Did your husband report his travel 21 days before the trip or did you guys just go?
Yes he reports his trips 21 days in advance, provides itineraries and flight info. Not an issue at all. This year we have done Antigua and Europe. Last year we did Greece and Italy. We always contact the embassy first if we are unsure of a location
Odd he didnt get the secondary coming back?
That’s awesome!
Besides that where else have you guys traveled. I have done Europe with no problem and the Bahamas.
Since he has been an RSO we have done Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, and Antigua. I do not risk any of the ones that say he can’t go- like Mexico. And if I have a doubt I call the embassy.
Has anyone traveled to Turks and cacios and did you get in. Was. It difficult going thru customs.
Has anyone gotten a passport recently WITH the RSO stamp i keep hearing about? I know someone on this forum went on a trip and it got cancelled when they got back due to not having the RSO stamp…. Should I be worried travelling even though a country will not deny me?
I got my first ever passport this year and planned a trip to France,Spain,and portugal from 3/19-3/27. No rso marking on it so i was worried.Took my trip with no issues and got stamped twice in france. Weeks later got a letter from State Dept. revoking my passport.I sent it in and will apply for a new one with the marking.I plan to travel again as I intend to travel thru europe once I reach 62 in 3 years and maybe not come back but to register in Fla twice a year.I’m searching flights and need to know If I can fly into London to connect to a flight to another country.I know England doesn’t accept RSO’s but can you just connect to a flight and not leave the airport. Thanks.
From other commentator do not try to go thru UK. Pay a bit more and connect over in Europe or fly direct. Why chance it? Also, if you are not planning to return, give the 21 day notice and leave. You do not have to come back to register twice/year. The state will have your address as living out of country.
Additionally, if you might qualify for dual citizenship, explore that option. We have and now have a passport from husband’s birth country. Easier to travel all across Europe with no US passport, marked or unmarked!
Thanks for your reply.I figured that was the case.I have thought of travelling to europe when i retire and not come back.be a permanent traveler as they say. I won’t miss much in the U.S. and I want to enjoy the cultures and history of the world while I can. trying to see how it can be done and keep my bank accounts active in Fla. I plan to travel to europe at least twice a year before 2022 so I can get a good fell of where I’d like to stay.My choices so far are Portugal,Spain,(I speak Spanish ), and maybe a low cost eastern europe destinantion like Lviv or Belgrade, i can home base somewhere cheap and then travel thru europe from there. Thanks again.
Has your husband tried to go to any countries hat ban rso’s with his second passport
That’s a good question. You can call RTAG @ +19726380651 let us know what you found out.
I flew into London for a connecting flight to Amsterdam and was fine. But this was September 2017 so maybe things have changed. When I came in from LAX I didn’t go through any customs since I was transiting.
Hope this helps
Wait: if we leave the country or the state we still need to come back to to register even if we dont live in florida anymore? Not what i understood. What if i leave for 9 months that means my 6 month registering im not in florida im living in another state: how does that work? Im at a total loss now
If you are in Florida 3 or more days (at the same location in the aggregate during a calendar year) you have to register. That’s 3 days, not 3 weeks or three months…
The prev post said they were leaving to europe but were coming back to register twice a year. My question was do we need to come back for the two time registration as they said they would even if we arent living in florida for that entire time?
Once they report they are leaving Florida, they do not have to re-register until they return.
If he no longer lives in FL and chooses not to return, then he remains on FL’s registry but no Florida registration-related action is required on his part, correct?
Correct – he SHOULD have checked out of Florida. They will indefinitely keep him on the Florida registry and show his address as “Out of State – [Wherever he said he was going]” but he doesn’t have to come back to comply with periodic re-registration.
We are trying (desperately) to fund a lawsuit to challenge the indefinite public notification of people no longer in Florida, but because it will benefit people NOT in Florida (and most of our membership are IN Florida) we cannot use our general funds for this lawsuit and need to rely on donations earmarked for that case only.
I wish more ex-offenders would seriously look at donating to the Out Of State challenge, It will benefit more people that they realize, and at some point, maybe even them. I have donated to this already. I never thought I would be moving out of Fl. but things change, I am moving out of state in a couple of months.
I donated $1000.00 on July 19 to this fund and the thermometer never rose. I have lived in TN for the last 13 years and still on FL registry. Where did you apply my funds to?
Everything gets allocated correctly – I’ll follow up Walt to make sure this was properly attributed.
The thermometer is a manually adjusted image.
My husband and I just arrived in Antigua and Barbuda with no issues. Husband is an RSO in the US. Now we’re enjoying our anniversary week together!
That is great news to hear that they are so sensible.
For the benefit of others in your husband’s situation, be sure to take a couple of minutes to submit a report at http://registranttag.org/travel-experience-report/
Happy anniversary!
Does anyone know if it’ll be an for RSO to travel to Bora Bora?
PERHAPS I MISSED IT BUT WHAT ABOUT GOING TO CEBU IN THE PHILOPPINES?
No Go!
If I go to to Philippines would my country send a green notice ? IS that the only information they have that I’m an rso ?
Going to Philippines this summer wish me luck ! Im Canadian so i hope it helps a bit.
Any luck with Bali ! Indonesia ????
The Philippines and most of Asia is a big fat NO! I am stuck living in Hong Kong because of that. I grew up in Japan from my third Birthday, so I am going to explore that option, but I seriously doubt that will go anywhere! Does anyone know if Macao turns away SOs? Also, please let me know if there are any other countries anywhere in Asia that are accepting Sex Offenders! I was a levene in New York, and was not on their computer database!
Have you tried getting into macau or china? Were you successful?
I see Ireland is on the list, will they really deny me?
I’m a SO who committed a misdemeanor.
If you are on the registry they will likely deny you.
Ireland does not admit US felons. I don’t know whether even IML covers persons with misdemeanors.
Someone with a misdemeanor wishing to travel to Ireland will need to inquire further, such as checking with their embassy.
I register and I have voters registration ,passport and TWIC card . So ,I must not suppose to register they just keeping me on here. I been off parole 8yrs and been free 18yrs.
What about Greece?
Will they turn a SO who committed a misdemeanor away?
We had no issues in Greece at all for my husband. My husband even lost his passport and had to get an emergency one and we had no issues. They are part of the Schengen so right now those are all fine. Starting in 2021 they will be requiring American’s to get visa-like documents ahead of time for Europe so we’ll see if anything changes in 2021
Thanks so much, Trying to find a place thatll take me. Would be going with wife and father in law.
Yes Spain, Italy, Netherlands , Greece and France are also good. This year we are going to Portugal, Spain and Iceland.
I’m also a RSO with a misdemeanor. I was just a couple years older at the wrong time and it was the Bible Belt. Seeing how we both have misdemeanors maybe you know some info. Since the age of consent is lower in many countries like Germany, China, and so forth those crimes of a consensual relationship are not illegal there would they still hold that against us? I’ve also had thoughts what if I moved would I have the opportunity to be a nurse or to be a doctor there abroad? Like a clean slate almost in their eyes? I’m in my mid 20s and I’m
Tired of living a life harassed and I want to at least visit some countries to see how it is there but I would have to save up money for another year if I saved up money and got turned away after getting there. Please, I appreciate any advise or knowledge you can give or anyone can give. Thank you!
Is it possible for rso to get into Vietnam ?
Does anybody no about traveling to Latina American countries as a rso? Is Paraguay or El Salvador letting in rso or turning them away?
Paraguay and El Salvador appear to be untested. Before making any travel plans, best for the traveler to visit the websites for those countries’ US embassies or consulates, contact them, have some candid communications.
How about Columbia for a Canadian rso ?
Can’t comment about sex offenders from Canada however, I can tell you that American sex offenders are NOT ALLOWED entry.
I flew to Lima, Peru 2 days ago. They were clearly prepared for me in immigration, asking me if I came in on Delta. They took my passport and left me standing for 30+ minutes as the entire line passed me. They returned with a letter in Spanish which I did not understand except for the word “sexual”—and was compelled to sign in order to get my passport back. They then escorted me with a security detail back to the plane I arrived on (and another 12 hours of travel), to a plane full of glaring passengers who were delayed. I got the worst seat in the house, of course, and sent back. Ironically, I was there as part of a team providing aid to Venezuelan refugees, but they had no interest in assessing anything but history. There was no conversation at all.
DO NOT FLY TO PERU as an RSO.
Does your passport have the sex offender identified on it?
I have no visible SO identification on my passport—and this is a new passport. Perhaps it’s coded somewhere that I cannot see.
Sorry: NO visible offender identification
Update: my passport was just revoked because of no identification— and I got it last year. I have not hidden anything in the application process and I’ve always been registry compliant. Now I have to start the process over and PAY for it all again… probably just won’t bother. I wonder if they got the information from my comment on this website? I’d be careful about anything posted here from now on!
Believe me… from “ODH” they don’t know who you are.
Sorry to sound paranoid, but the process has had that effect on me. Since you have my email address, how do I know they aren’t obtaining the information from this website’s admins? I would much prefer completely anonymous posting (no email required)
OK… If you believe that the administrators of this website are sharing information about you with law enforcement you should immediately stop posting here.
You do not need the stamp on your passport. It is just for added public shaming as they already have you in the Interpol system.
Your trip was doomed from the moment that you purchased the ticket.
The green notice was sent out and they were well aware of you being on the plan and as you found out – totally ready to hold you until they could send you back.
That REALLY is the way it works. Sorry
Exact same thing as you outlined…. but when I went to Mexico.