If you’re a U.S. citizen with a felony conviction and want to travel abroad, knowing that different countries have different rules about admissibility is essential. These rules are often based on factors such as the type of crime and how much time has passed since the conviction.
At Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett, we're committed to helping our clients understand these rules and navigate the criminal justice system while protecting their rights. We’re here with a comprehensive look at some countries that do not allow entry to convic
#1: Canada
Under Canadian law, individuals with felony convictions are deemed "inadmissible" and will almost certainly be denied entry unless certain steps are taken beforehand. This includes convictions for serious crimes such as:
- Assault
- Drug trafficking
- Theft
- DUI
- Battery
- Firearm charges
If you are deemed inadmissible to Canada, there are three main pathways to gain entry:
- Temporary Resident Permit (TRP): A TRP allows entry for a specific purpose and limited period, even if you are otherwise inadmissible. You must demonstrate a compelling reason for travel, such as work or another significant need. While leisure travel is possible, approvals for vacations are far less common. TRPs can be valid for up to three years, but issuance is entirely discretionary and may require proof that you pose minimal risk. Apply well in advance of your intended travel dates.
- Criminal Rehabilitation: After five years have passed since completing your sentence (including probation or fines), you may apply for Criminal Rehabilitation. If approved, it permanently removes inadmissibility in the eyes of Canadian immigration, allowing future travel without a TRP. Approval requires showing you have been rehabilitated and present a low risk of reoffending. The process can take up to 12 months to complete. The required filing fee depends on whether your conviction is classified as serious criminality or non-serious criminality under Canadian law.
- Deemed Rehabilitation: In certain cases, an individual may be considered “deemed rehabilitated” if enough time has passed—generally at least ten years—since completing the sentence for a single, non-serious offense. This determination is automatic based on the time elapsed, but it is made solely at the discretion of the border officer, which can create uncertainty. If the Canadian equivalent of your conviction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years or more imprisonment, it is classified as serious criminality, and deemed rehabilitation is not available. For greater certainty and peace of mind, it is advisable to apply for Criminal Rehabilitation in advance, rather than relying on a border agent to determine that you are deemed rehabilitated at the time of entry.
#2: Japan
Japan has some of the strictest entry rules in the world when it comes to prior convictions. Under Article 5 of the Japanese Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, you are generally inadmissible if you:
- Have been convicted of an offense punishable by one year or more in prison (even if you never served time)
- Have been convicted of any drug-related offense, regardless of sentence length
There is no statute of limitations, even decades-old convictions can lead to refusal. Sex offenses involving minors are treated with particular severity, and a sex offender designation on your passport will almost certainly result in denial.
While some travelers with serious records have entered Japan by not disclosing convictions on the arrival form, this carries major risks. If discovered, you could be refused entry, lose the cost of your trip, and face a permanent ban. Japanese authorities may not always check U.S. criminal databases, but this can change without notice.
If you have a conviction that falls under these rules, the safest approach is to consult an immigration attorney familiar with Japanese entry requirements before making travel plans.
#3: United Kingdom
The United Kingdom’s entry restrictions are set out in Part 9 of their Immigration Rules. You will generally be refused entry if you:
- Have been convicted of a criminal offense in the U.K. or abroad and received a custodial sentence of 12 months or more (regardless of when it occurred), or
- Are seeking entry for less than 6 months and have been convicted of a criminal offense (non-custodial) within the past 12 months
For most travelers, this means that most misdemeanors will not cause issues unless they occurred within the last year and felony convictions will lead to denial only if you were actually sentenced to a term of imprisonment longer than 12 months.
#4: Australia
Australia has strict entry requirements under Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958. To be granted a visa, you must pass a “character test.” You will automatically fail if you have a substantial criminal record, which includes:
- A prison sentence of 12 months or more (even if suspended)
- Multiple shorter sentences totaling two years or more
Other grounds for refusal include convictions for domestic violence or child-related sexual offenses, involvement in serious international crimes, association with criminal groups, or being the subject of an Interpol alert.
If you have any criminal convictions, you cannot apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Instead, you must apply for a Visitor Visa, which involves providing police certificates, explaining your conviction, and showing that you pose minimal risk to the community.
Full disclosure is essential, failing to declare any conviction, no matter how old or minor, can lead to automatic refusal. While approval is discretionary, applications are sometimes granted if supported by strong evidence of good character and rehabilitation.
#5: New Zealand
U.S. citizens traveling to New Zealand need either a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Because NZeTAs have a faster turnaround, they are often the best choice for short-notice trips.
All applicants must meet New Zealand’s “good character” requirements. Section 15 of the New Zealand’s Immigration Act of 2009 states that you are ineligible for a visa if you have ever been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 5 years or more, or in the last 10 years, have been sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months or more.
So while some felony convictions could lead to permanent ineligibility, it is important to note that not all felony convictions are problematic.
#6: China
China’s visa application form asks directly whether you have any criminal record in China or another country. If you answer “yes,” you must provide details, and your application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A single, older, non-violent offense—such as a DUI—often does not result in automatic denial, but recent or serious convictions, particularly those involving injury, multiple offenses, or drugs, are more likely to draw scrutiny.
Under Article 21 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, Chinese authorities may refuse a visa if you have convictions “related to terrorism, smuggling, drug trafficking, prostitution, or other serious crimes.”
Full disclosure on your application is critical; providing false or incomplete information can lead to denial during the application process or upon arrival. For individualized advice, you should contact an immigration attorney familiar with China’s entry laws or the nearest Chinese Consulate Office.
#7: India
U.S. citizens must obtain an e-Visa to visit India for tourism. Since 2018, India’s visa application process has included questions about prior criminal convictions. Older travelers may recall not having to disclose this information, but the rules have since changed.
The current e-Visa application asks whether you have ever been convicted of any crimes in any country and whether you have ever engaged in child abuse or crimes against women.
The application also warns that providing false information can result in legal action, deportation, blacklisting, or other penalties imposed by the Government of India.
While not all convictions automatically lead to refusal, sexual offenses, especially those involving minors, are treated with extreme seriousness and can significantly affect visa eligibility. Travelers with such convictions should be prepared for the likelihood of denial.
#8: The Philippines
U.S. citizens may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism. There is generally no formal criminal background check at entry, and the arrival process does not include questions about prior convictions. Travelers must register through the eTravel portal before arrival to obtain a QR code used for both entry and departure. The form asks for travel details, occupation, and health information, but does not inquire about criminal history.
However, Section 29(a)(3) of the Philippine Immigration Act bars entry to individuals convicted of crimes involving “moral turpitude”—a broad term covering offenses such as fraud, violence, and other acts involving intentional dishonesty.
While most travelers with past convictions enter without issue, Philippine immigration officers have full discretion. If they become aware of a conviction, particularly one involving moral turpitude, they may refuse entry. Providing false or misleading information on immig
Europe (The Schengen Area)
The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries that share common entry requirements and allow free movement between member states once you are admitted. Currently, short-term U.S. visitors do not need to obtain a visa, and border officers do not routinely ask about criminal history.
Beginning in late 2026, non-EU travelers, including U.S. citizens, will be required to obtain travel authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) before entering any Schengen country. ETIAS is an online pre-screening system designed to assess security and migration risks for visa-exempt travelers.
The ETIAS application is expected to be straightforward, with most approvals issued within minutes. While the form will ask about criminal history, a prior conviction will not automatically disqualify you. According to official ETIAS guidance, applications may be refused only for certain serious offenses committed within specific time frames, such as:
- Terrorism (within the past 20 years)
- Sexual exploitation of children
- Human trafficking
- Drug trafficking
- Murder
- Rape
For most travelers, including those with older or less severe convictions, ETIAS approval should not be a problem once the system is in place. Receiving authorization in advance will also reduce the likelihood of unexpected issues at the border.
Central and South America
For most Central and South American countries, U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short-term tourism and are not required to disclose criminal history on arrival forms. Rules may differ if you apply for work, residency, or long-term visas.
However, Brazil is a notable exception. Since 2025, U.S. citizens have been required to obtain a visa before traveling to Brazil, and an e-Visa is the easiest way to do this.
However, if you have ever been arrested or convicted for “any offense or willful crime,” you do not qualify for an e-Visa. Instead, you would have to apply in person at the nearest Brazilian Consulate.
Africa
Most African countries do not require travelers to disclose prior criminal history when entering for tourism. However, the majority do require a visa. Depending on the destination, this may be obtained in advance through an embassy, applied for online as an e-visa, or issued as a visa on arrival.
Because entry rules and visa processes vary widely across the continent, it’s best to confirm the latest requirements for your specific destination. A travel professional or the country’s nearest embassy or consulate can provide the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.
The Caribbean
For most U.S. tourists, Caribbean destinations are notably accommodating regarding past criminal convictions—especially older, non-violent ones.
Countries like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Aruba, and others typically offer visa-free tourist entry for U.S. citizens and do not ask about criminal history on arrival or in visa waiver forms.
Routine criminal background checks are generally not conducted on short-term visitors, and any convictions are unlikely to impact admissibility—unless there are additional risk factors.
However, British territories in the Caribbean, including the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Bermuda, Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, and Montserrat, technically align with UK-style character assessments. In these places, immigration authorities could refuse entry based on serious convictions, particularly those carrying prison sentences of 12 months or more, even though actual enforcement is rare for tourists arriving by cruise ship or airline.
Entry forms to these British territories do not typically request criminal background declarations, and most casual travelers are not questioned about their criminal records at all.
What to Keep in Mind
This webpage provides general travel advice based on the current immigration laws. Immigration rules can change and some nations might modify their policies, especially regarding serious convictions or convictions within recent years.
For accuracy and peace of mind, it’s always advisable to check the most recent entry requirements via the official website of the destination’s immigration authority or via the U.S. Department of State’s travel pages.
If your criminal record includes recent or serious convictions, or you're unsure about how you might be treated, consulting a travel or immigration expert is strongly recommended.
If You Are Facing Criminal Charges, the Attorneys at Carlson, Meissner & Hayslett Can Help Preserve Your Ability to Travel Abroad.
Traveling with a felony conviction can create serious obstacles—many countries impose strict entry requirements, and even a single conviction can limit your freedom to move across borders. At Carlson Meissner & Hayslett, our experienced criminal defense attorneys understand how profoundly your ability to travel impacts your personal and professional life. We work tirelessly to fight the charges against you, protecting not only your record but also your future opportunities to explore the world.
If you are facing felony charges, every decision you make now matters. A conviction could lead to long-term travel restrictions, denied visas, and unexpected refusals at foreign borders. By securing skilled legal representation early, you give yourself the best chance to preserve your rights, minimize the impact of the case, and maintain your ability to travel internationally.
Don’t let pending charges close the door on global opportunities. Contact Carlson Meissner & Hayslett today to learn how we can defend you in your criminal case and safeguard your freedom to see the world.
