Country Data

Please note the posted content Disclaimer in the footer below. Consider data from other sources including, but not limited to, Cruise and Country Trip Reports, border protection and immigration agencies and U.S. Department of State.

 



REGION


COUNTRY

DENIED ENTRY*

LAW DENYING ENTRY

FELONS RESTRICTED


REGISTRY


NOTES
AMERICAS
CaribbeanAntigua and BarbudaNoNoNoNoNA
ArubaNoNoNoNo See trip report.
BahamasSEE NOTESNoNoNoIn late 2023, the U.S. Embassy Nassau wrote that persons with U.S. criminal records or persons who are on parole should seek advice and clarification from Director of Immigration, The Bahamas Immigration Department, P.O. Box N – 831, Nassau, The Bahamas, immigration@bahamas.gov.bs and provide date of entry and exit, length of visit, lodging and conviction details, and current status. ***Numerous requests to the email address above have gone unanswered.***
Barbados SEE NOTES NoNoNoPrior written permission required to enter. The request can be submitted by mail, email or courier in a formal letter listing the dates of travel and any additional information to support your request. Attachments required are 1) a copy of the biodata page of your passport, 2) a recent police report from the state where the offense was committed, including the offense description, date of offense, sentence imposed, and 3) a clear scanned document from your registry entry reflecting the assigned tier or level. The packet should be submitted to The Chief Immigration Officer, Barbados Immigration Department, 'BTI' Corporate Center, Princess Alice Highway, Bridgetown, BB 11093, Barbados. Tel: 246.535.4164 and 246.832.4148.
Cayman Islands YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Cuba YES NoNoNoNA
Curacao SEE NOTES NoNoNoCuracao officials replied to a PFR request, "There will be no issues for you to enter Curaçao. If you haven’t committed any crime in Curaçao and are not a wanted person here, you shouldn’t have any inconveniences at arrival."
Dominican Republic YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Haiti YES NoNoNoThe U.S. Consulate, acspap@state.gov, stated in October 2023 that it has no control over who the Haitian government allows to enter and that, if you choose to enter and are arrested, there will be very little they can do to help. The country status for U.S. citizens is Ordered Departure. For those considering travel, it's Level 4: Do Not Travel.
Jamaica SEE NOTES NoNo YES In late 2023, the Jamaica Embassy confirmed that prior permission is required for entry. These documents must be submitted to Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) for felony convictions.
Puerto RicoNoNoNo YES U.S. Territory. Current law does not appear to specifically address visiting the island; however, it does state that a person of another country who has been convicted of a sex offense or child abuse and resides in Puerto Rico is required to register not later than three days after arrival.
Saint Lucia SEE NOTES NoNoNoIn late 2023, Saint Lucia Consulate responded, "You won't be turned away. Simply go to the island and have a great time!" Please note that it is not the embassy that grants entry. You may want to visit Ministry of External Affairs for additional information.
Saint Martin / Sint Maarten SEE NOTES NoNoNo See trip report. Entry possible with prior permission. In late 2022, Immigration and Border Protection Service responded to a Tier III citizen that, if no other crimes had been committed since the 1997 conviction, no further action is needed to enter the country.
Trinidad and TobagoNoNoNo YES NA
U. S. Virgin Islands SEE NOTES NoNo YES If visiting St. Thomas, St. John or Water Islands, report to the VIDOJ on the 2nd Floor of the Government Employees Retirement System (GERS) Building (3438 Kronprindsens Gade, GERS Complex, St. Thomas, V.I. 00802).

If visiting St. Croix, report to the VIDOJ at the Design Centre Building, 6040 Estate Castle Coakley.

The PFR will be provided with a “Visiting Sexual Offender Notification Form,” which he or she will present to U.S. Customs, upon departing the Territory, as verification that the reporting requirements were met.
CentralBelize YES NoNoNo PFR denied entry at Belize City airport and returned to the U.S. the same day.
Costa Rica YES NoNoNoIn late 2023, Consulado de la República de Costa Rica en Washington responded that Costa Rican immigration officers have access to Interpol and other online information systems that could indicate a criminal record, even if it has been a long time. This could cause the immigration officer to decide not to allow entry. The final decision to allow entry or not will depend on each immigration officer. In general, serious crimes such as sex offender crimes do not allow entry to Costa Rica. For additional questions, contact Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería. See trip report.
Guatemala YES NoNoNo See trip report. Travel Advisory - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Honduras YES NoNoNoInstituto Nacional de Migración de Honduras was unhelpful with specific guidance. Its documents state that entry is not permitted for those convicted for common crimes, but a definition could not be located. Travel Advisory - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Nicaragua YES NoNoNoTravel Advisory - Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to limited healthcare availability and arbitrary enforcement of laws. Exercise increased caution due to crime and wrongful detentions.
Panama YES YES NoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
NorthCanada YES YES YES YES Canada's Immigration Act specifically bars felons from entry. Other offenses that can keep a person from being able to enter Canada include reckless driving, misdemeanor drug possession, domestic violence and shoplifting. For more information on inadmissibility and overcoming criminal convictions to gain entry, please visit Canada Border Services Agency.
Mexico YES YES YES No Mexico's immigration officers (INM) are the only authority that can accept or refuse the entry of any traveller into Mexico. To clarify your particular situation, call or write INM. See trip reports.
SouthArgentina SEE NOTES NoNoNoIn late 2023, Consulado Argentino responded that holders of American ordinary passports do not require a visa to travel to the Argentine Republic for tourism purposes. As long as there is no international alert or arrest warrant, there should not be any restrictions. Nevertheless... it is advised that the admission to the country is the sole discretion of the migration officer at the first port of entry who could check backgrounds in the system on site.
Brazil YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens. The State of Mato Grosso do Sul in western Brazil has a registry with limited public content.
Chile YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Colombia YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
EcuadorSEE NOTESNoNoNoVisit Migracion Ecuador, select Consultations on precautionary measures. Travel Advisory - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to civil unrest, crime, and kidnapping.
Peru YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
ASIA PACIFIC
AsiaArmeniaNoNoNoNoNA
Cambodia YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
China YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Hong Kong YES NoNoNo See trip report.
India YES NoNo YES Unvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Indonesia YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
JapanSEE NOTESNoNoNoIn late 2023, Japan's Immigration Services Agency wrote, "...under Japanese Immigration Law, a person cannot enter Japan in the following cases:
1. Persons sentenced to imprisonment for more than 1 year (including suspension of a sentence)
2. Those who have been sentenced illegally by drug laws such as narcotics.
3. Those who illegally possess drugs, guns, etc.
4. Those who have been deported from Japan for the first: 5 years
5.Those who have been deported from Japan twice or more: 10 years
6.Denial of Landing: 1 year
Entry/Return Procedures
Unvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Korea (South) YES NoNo YES Unvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Laos YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Malaysia YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
NepalNoNoNoNo May be contacted before departure.
Philippines YES NoNoNoForeign nationals are denied entry in accordance with the immigration act if “convicted or charged with crimes involving moral turpitude.”
SingaporeSEE NOTESNoNoNoIn late 2023, Singapore Immigration responded, "Generally, the entry of visitors to Singapore is subjected to the prevailing public health as well as entry requirements and may be subject to interviews and additional checks as part of the entry assessment. The grant of entry to visitors is assessed and determined by ICA officers at the Singapore Checkpoints, depending on the merits of each visitor. We are unable to give prior confirmation on a visitor’s future entry." Unvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Taiwan YES NoNo YES Unvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Thailand YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Vietnam YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
PacificAmerican SamoaNoNoNo YES U.S. Territory. Current law does not appear to address visiting the territory.
Australia YES YES YES YES NA
Fiji YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
French PolynesiaNoNoNoNo Bora Bora and Tahiti.
New Zealand YES YES YES YES NA
EUROPEAlbaniaNoNoNo YES Registry is not public.
AustriaNoNoNoNo See trip report.
CroatiaNoNoNoNoNA
DenmarkNoNoNoNo Just Facts Not Fear states this is a viable point of entry. See trip report.
FranceNoNoNo SEE NOTES Registry for law enforcement only. Just Facts Not Fear states this is a viable point of entry.
GermanyNoNoNoNo Just Facts Not Fear states this is a viable point of entry. See trip report.
Greece YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
HungaryNoNoNo YES See trip report. Very limited public access to its registry.
IcelandNoNoNoNo Just Facts Not Fear states this is a viable point of entry. See trip report.
Ireland SEE NOTES YES YES YES Policy is under separate, local control.
Italy SEE NOTES NoNoNo Just Facts Not Fear states this may not be the best option for a point of entry. Italy has been bombarded with so many illegal immigrants and refugees from North Africa and the Middle East that they’ve toughened their stance on entry. See trip report.
KosovoNoNoNoNoNA
NetherlandsNoNoNoNoNA
PortugalNoNoNo SEE NOTES Registry for law enforcement only. Just Facts Not Fear states this is a viable point of entry.
RomaniaNoNoNoNoNA
SlovakiaNoNoNoNo See trip report.
SloveniaNoNoNoNo See trip report.
Spain SEE NOTES NoNoNo See trip reports that reflect very different experiences. Just Facts Not Fear states this is no longer a viable point of entry due to immigration policy changes.
SwedenNoNoNoNo Just Facts Not Fear states this is a viable point of entry.
Ukraine YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
United Kingdom YES YES YES YES England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Middle EastDubai YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
Israel SEE NOTES NoNoNo May be interviewed and permitted to enter.
LebanonNoNoNoNoNA
PakistanNoNoNo YES Registry information only available by SMS request.
Turkey YES NoNoNoNA
United Arab Emirates YES NoNoNoNA
AfricaBotswanaNoNoNo YES PFR must report conviction upon entry and have information included in its registry.
Ethiopia YES NoNoNoNA
Egypt YES NoNoNoNA
Kenya YES NoNoNoUnvalidated reports indicate entry has been denied to some U.S. citizens.
MauritiusNoNoNo YES NA
Morocco YES NoNoNoNA
RwandaNoNoNo YES NA
Senegal YES SEE NOTES NoNo American Citizens Services, U.S. Embassy Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, DakarACS@state.gov, replied, "There are no registration requirements in Senegal. We are unable to answer questions about admissibility to Senegal, as this is a matter of Senegalese law, handled by Senegalese authorities."
*Some entry data provided by World Population Review.