UPDATED – RTAG International Travel Matrix
Based on comments and information updated by members, below is the updated travel matrix for Registrant Travel Action Group (RTAG – www.registranttag.org).
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1.972.638.0651
| REGISTRANT TRAVEL ACTION GROUP TRAVEL MATRIX | |||||
| 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 | |
| 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 | Unk | Unk | |
| Chili | NO | NO | NO | Unk | |
| Colombia | YES | NO | NO | Unk | |
| Europe | France | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| Germany | NO | NO | NO | NO | |
| Ireland | NO | NO | NO | NO | |
| Italy | NO | NO | NO | YES | |
| Netherlands | NO | NO | NO | NO | |
| Spain | NO | NO | NO | NO | |
| Russia | YES | YES | Unk | NO | |
| UK | YES | YES | YES | YES | |
| Australia | Y/N | YES | YES | YES | |
| Asia | Cambodia | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| China | Y/N | NO | NO | NO | |
| Hong Kong | NO | NO | NO | NO | |
| Korea | YES | NO | NO | YES | |
| Laos | Y/N | NO | NO | NO | |
| New Zealand | YES | YES | YES | YES | |
| Philippines | YES | YES | NO | NO | |
| Thailand | Y/N | NO | NO | NO | |
| Vietnam | Y/N | NO | NO | NO | |
| Middle East | |||||
| Dubai | YES | NO | NO | NO | |
| Lebanon | NO | NO | NO | NO | |
| Africa | |||||
| No problems in Africa at this time | |||||
Discover more from Florida Action Committee (FAC)
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I do not need to inform my jurisdiction of travel plans if i am just going to Hawaii correct? Fyi, I am no longer on probation.
If you live in FL and plan to reside in the same place in HI for 3 or more days you do.
Oh, I’m from utah
So, what if you spend 2 nights at 3 different hotels? That’s fine?
Hello I might have some valuable information.
I decided to travel to the Bahamas while on probation. My PO gave me a okay but needed to send info to the embassy. ( stepped over his boundaries) I went to the police station to inform the police a few days before departure but they said there is no need as long as probation said it’s okay.
I’m from Oregon btw and i think the duty officer was misinformed.
Once i entered the Bahamas the customs officer scanned my passport and told me to follow her to a room. There I was questioned about my crime and and why I was convicted. I passed and they said enjoy your trip. The reason this happened was because once they scanned my passport and it came up I am a registered Sex offender. It seems regardless where you go as long as a agent scans your passport it will show up you’re registered.
I am currently working on duel citizenship. Would departing the country with a different passport help avoid all this since another countries passport won’t have any records tied?
Generally, yes.
Even if you used your other passport, you would still be flagged by an Interpol green notice, if you made the required notifications, correct?
Correct
I did not make the notice when departing to the Bahamas. My PO required it of me but when I went into the sheriffs department they said there was no requirement. However the Bahamas still knew. And when I asked they said it’s based off your passport. Your name and date of birth. So it doesn’t matter if you report it or not. If there system is linked you will be flagged just by your name and DOB.
In the future I will not be reporting since both customs agents can’t track that and frankly they don’t care. Currently there doesn’t seem to be a system that follows up with these self reporting.
Once I get duel citizenship I will go into that country and have a name change. Drive into Mexico with my passport and fly from that country so there is absolutely no record. And yes you can have different names on different passports. That is legal.
Just my thoughts and action plan on traveling freely in the future
FAC NOTE: We cannot condone not reporting international travel, as it violates Florida Statute.
I’m from Oregon and according to the sheriffs office it doesn’t break their laws. Also from both my travel experiences where I did not report my travel their was no repructions or questions asked by customs.
I’m just reporting my expedience and there doesn’t seem to be a problem in the state I’m from. I’m sure there are plenty of people who are on this forum that aren’t from Florida. All travel experience expressed is important
Correct – for the benefit of those in Florida (which is the majority of those reading this) and in other states, we need to stress compliance with the laws of your state.
https://www.usmarshals.gov/megans-law-faqs.html
Can I be arrested if I don’t report travel?
Although not all states require that you report international travel, you may be subject to federal prosecution if you fail to provide notice of international travel or file a false travel notice with your registry.
FYI dude. Stay safe and consider the risk.
Yes. You can. It’s a violation of IML.
We STRONGLY encourage people to comply with registry laws and, if you are uncertain of something, check with a licensed attorney.
Even if we disagree with the laws, if we don’t follow them, we can face real consequences.
We moderate this site closely and try to post a disclaimer whenever someone shares anecdotal information that is contrary to the law, but we don’t have the resources to read every post or reply to every comment. If someone follows the lead of another who chooses not to comply with the laws, it will be no defense to argue, “but someone on FAC posted…”
I will but like I said I went into my local sheriffs office. Asked to report and they said there is no need. I even wrote down the officers name and contact info. Returning back from customers from Europe and the Bahamas neither officers questioned whether I informed the state or not.
Like I mentioned this is my experience
While IML is a new law put into place and yes the legality is that you will be punished if you don’t self report. I truly believe its a scare tactic at the moment. I don’t currently believe the feds are delegating the time or resources to cross reference check if you registered your itinerary to the state you reside in. Especially when going through multiple connecting flights, each state has its own department and I don’t believe they are cross referencing each states data base.
Im not condoning not following the law. I just believe currently at least the state i’m from there is no repercussion from not self reporting.
This is just my opinion current opinion. Follow your state law and travel safely.
I know for a fact that US Marshall has called to confirm I notified of travel and I am in a state that does not require but does accept the notices. Be careful. Sounds like there have been some recent prosecutions about this. 2 in Ohio.
Jim Smith do you have any further information about them prosecuting failure to notify? I can’t find anything in it currently.
Here’s one link. We really just need an attorney to do a search and pull up the cases. I know there was something in Albabama too. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/sexual-predator-williams-county-sentenced-nearly-two-years-prison-after-traveling-asia
https://www.smart.gov/smartwatch/february2019/case-spotlight.html
Same case i think but pushed out by SMART.
Thank you that’s new to me. Very interesting.
How has international travel for sex offenders since the passage of the identifier on the passports, particularly Europe. Anyone have any issues?
Updated information on traveling to Bahamas by ferry. Looks like a passport is now a must.
https://gobahamasplus.com/fast-ferry-info/
Traveling to The Bahamas by sea offers more flexibility with the type of documents you will need to get through Bahamas immigration and back through U.S. immigration.
Bimini Fast Ferry (Bimini)
Traveling to Bimini, The Bahamas by ferry requires that all passengers, regardless of age, be in possession of a valid passport or passport card. As of December 24, 2018, birth certificates are no longer accepted for new bookings. If you booked prior to December 24, 2018 and selected Birth Certificate as your form of ID, you may travel with your original birth certificate and a photo ID, as booked.
If you are not a U.S. citizen you will need a valid passport to travel. Citizens of some countries are also required to have a Visa to travel. For a list of Visa requirements for each country visit: http://tinyurl.com/bahamas-visa-requirements
Bahamas Fast Ferry (Grand Bahama Island)
The Bahamas Fast Ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Island requires a valid passport or passport card for all passengers, whether staying overnight or spending the day in the Bahamas and regardless of age. U.S. citizens may no longer use a birth certificate as a valid form of ID for the ferry to Grand Bahama Island. This change occured on May 22, 2018.
Grand Celebration Cruise
The Grand Celebration overnight cruise requires a valid passport for anyone staying overnight in the Bahamas. U.S. citizens booking the 2 night cruise may travel with a certified birth certificate and a government issue photo ID.
Please Note: If you must return to the U.S. by flight you will not be allowed through U.S. customs without a valid passport. Passport cards are only valid for travel by sea. Something to consider before you book.
Anyone have any trouble traveling to Vietnam? Planning on going in January.
Vietnam is alright more lenient than most Asian countries. But I would do more researching before going especially if your American because of IML
I would go to Hong Kong first because of there gracious rso acceptance then go from
There
Thank you for the advice. Would you suggest register with the police that I’m going g to Hong Kong for the travel notice then fly from there to Vietnam? Does Vietnam do a background check for the visa on arrival?
Yes Daniel that’s what I would do. I went to HK a few weeks ago for a test run and so far HK is good to us. Don’t go direct anywhere else but HK and fly from there to Vietnam. I’m not sure about the power of IML but hopefully you can manage. Next year I will bite the bullet and fly to Manila from HK. (Fully knowing the consequences)
As a Canadian I’m not sure IML will know me.
Good luck
Goodluck please let me know of any updates
Considering some rso people can enter China
I think Vietnam would be not as strict to enter. I’m not sure they do background checks a lot of tourist visas don’t even ask if you have a record.
You should register your whole itinerary at least 21 days in advance. Both HK and Vietnam will receive green notices in Interpol stating what you were convicted of and what your itinerary is. HK likely will not give a damn. For Vietnam, it’s harder to know their policy since they seem a little untested.
I’d like to know what is really exposed when your passport is scanned. Philippines seems to declare they know an rso as soon as ite scanned. But I’m
Not so sure, IML would have to inform them of my arrival first.
Your passport only Shows your basic information. As far as I know.
Also, Kuala Lumpur doesn’t seem to send rso people back.
I’d like to know as I’m going to Vietnam as well in Feb. My stopover is in Taiwan, but from what I understand I won’t be going through customs in Taiwan (there’s a corridor that leads directly to my connecting flight) I validated this by calling the airline. But still worried about Vietnam. Any experiences people have will be much appreciated
Let us know how Vietnam goes. I would be expected to be turned away. And, as far as layovers go, that layover city, whichever it may be, does not get notification. It is your destination country that gets the notice from Homeland Security. Two years ago I was denied entry to Thailand with a layover in Tokyo. After being sent back to Tokyo, the Japanese only refused me entry because Thailand did. That’s what they told me. IML was passed while I was in Thailand for a month Jan/Feb 2016. And, just so people are clear, there is not background check within your passport or scanned entry to another country. If you’re a criminal of certain types, a notice will be sent (we all know how that’s goes now). That’s one reason I was so shocked and confused about being denied entry to Thailand…because I was there the year before! What changed? Found out it was IML once I got home :*(
Update-so I made it to Vietnam and Taiwan fine. There wasn’t so much as a second look, I went through with no questions. However, after speaking with some folks, it seems because my offense didn’t involve minors, that’s probably why IML didn’t kick in (Thank God).
Of course-I had all the problems in the world coming back to the US. The customs officer pulled my gf to the side and asked if she knew of my offense, and asked me to explain the details of my case. Quite a bit humiliating and inconvenient after 15 hours in the air, but at least I made it.
So sorry to say, I can’t say what’s like for the IML affected, but I was able to get through those countries with no issues.
Hey guys. Registered SO from Florida here with adjudication withheld. Online solicitation charge from 2007 when I was 20 and finally got off probation in 2014. I was planning a trip to the Dominican Republic until I found this site as well as asking Paul from registranttag.org.
I was recently issued my passport without any kind of mark and it’s good for ten years. I appreciate this committee and everyone on here sharing their information. You guys saved me 1500 bucks with that trip.
I actually have family in Cuba and I plan on giving that a try due to the lack of communication between them and the US. Any thoughts or experiences? Thanks again and good luck everyone.
Cuba was never an issue for me in over 20 years and 48 trips, but this January I was turned away with no explanation given, I have an 8 year old son there whos mom was killed in a car accident 4 years ago and I’m now being completely cut out of his life, I had 10 years of level 1 registration starting in 2004 but it was in NY state and the governor signed an executive order in 2006 extending all level 1s to 20 years, post facto… really fair world we’re living in. So now I’ll see my son in 2024..
J G
Similar deal here.
I’m a level 1 RSO from Caiifornia from 1990 & original requirements for registering was 10 years. In 1997 CA changed it to lifetime requirement.
I work in the Middle East & other parts of the world for the last 12 years. Recently (Oct 8, 2018) passport was confiscated in Atlanta while traveling back to Kuwait. Only reason given was passport invalid. 2-3 days later & many phone calls & emails to State Dept before I found out why. I had no prior knowledge of this Intl Megans Law in effect. Recieved no letter prior as either. I have just recieved my new passport & started process again for visa to Kuwait. Not sure what will happen when /if I get the visa & travel back there for work.
Had just renewed passport in Aug 2017 & no mention about this law then even tho it was passed & signed by Obama in late 2015-early 2016. That passport actually revoked in July 2018 while I was in Kuwait at work & I had no clue & nothing mentioned in Sept 2018 by CBP in Atlanta upon my return to USA then.
I had moved to Arkansas in 2007 & registered there ever since & they have always been fully aware of my work & where I work at always work with me if I’m out of country at time of registering.
@JG. Do you have the identifier in your new passport? Please report back regarding visa for Kuwait and elsewhere.
I just got back from the Bahamas in July I did report my travel to the authorities and I was allowed in to the bahamas but 3 days later I got a visit from the local police.
Local police in the Bahamas or in Florida?
Local police in the Bahamas they just verified where I was staying and told me to enjoy my vacation.
Interesting… OK
Same exact thing with me in Curacao
Hi! We want to go to atlantis this summer. Do you think we will have trouble? Husband is an RSO with 13 more yrs on the registry.
Bahamas has been cool
Andy, did you report 21 days notice? Did you fly in or boat in?
I did report my travel 21 days prior to leaving to the Bahamas, I flew from Miami to Eleuthera Bahamas, it was a very small airport no computers, they just stamped my passport. Like I said in my prior message 3 days after my arrival the local police showed up to my rental to verify I was staying where I said I would be, and they just asked to see my passport and told me to enjoy my vacation.
I am going to get some information. I have a family vacation planned in July to Aruba. Even though this website States no restrictions I have seen proof otherwise. Please advise. I have contacted the local Aurba Airport Authority who forwarded my email to local I’m migration. I have not heard back. Please advise! Anyone!
Where have you seen otherwise? What proof have you seen that Aruba is denying entry to registrants?
I went to curaçao back in January and was allowed in without any issue. But I was visited by two detectives at my hotel who wanted to know more about me and my intentions. They were nice and wished me a nice vacation.
https://www.visitaruba.com/category/5/view/all/getFaqList.html