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Can a Felon Travel to Ireland?

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Many felons can recall having the desire to travel back when life was different and simpler, before their felony conviction.

They may have dreamed of traveling abroad before their conviction, and for some this may have been a reality.

This blog post will address the question of whether a felon can travel to Ireland.

  • Travel Restrictions
  • Why Ireland?
  • Traveling to Ireland
  • Requirements to Enter Ireland
  • Encouraging Felons to Travel to Ireland

Contents

Travel Restrictions

Upon release, felons must complete the terms of their sentence, which typically involves being on probation, reporting to their probation officer in person, or checking in online monthly.

During the probation period, felons are restricted from leaving the district in which they reside without permission from their probation officer.

Of course, travel outside the U.S. is out of the question until the conditions of probation have been satisfied entirely.

Once this is accomplished, travel beyond the U.S. border is possible.

They must obtain a passport, which is a form of identification from the federal government allowing international travel.  Felons are able to obtain a passport.

Being convicted of drug trafficking or a crime of treason against the U.S. may prevent felons from being able to obtain a passport, as well as for anyone owing at least a certain amount of child support.

Having current legal charges pending can also prevent having a passport.  This is because leaving the country will be interpreted as an unlawful attempt to avoid prosecution, which is itself a federal crime.

Traveling to another country with a passport is very possible.

Why Ireland?

Why would felons want to visit Ireland?  Well, for the same reasons anyone wants to travel there.  Felons may have served time in prison, but they have the same interests as any other U.S. citizen.

Traveling to Ireland is no exception.

Ireland is one of the most popular countries in Europe for tourists with thousands visiting there each year.

While Ireland is part of Europe, it is not in the Schengen area, which is a group of 26 countries that have joined together to have a common border for tourists, including felons, who can visit any of those countries with a single passport entry.

Northern Ireland, along with England, make up the United Kingdom.  Felons can travel to England.

There is no physical border separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the country, allowing tourists to easily pass from one part of the country to the other.

Ireland is famous for its many ancient castles dating back many centuries. The most famous one is Blarney Castle with its well-known Blarney Stone.  Legend has it the kissing this stone will bring eternal eloquence.

There are many rugged mountains in the country with numerous caves to explore and opportunities for mountain climbing, biking, and hiking.

Ireland contains areas filled with upright tombs, older than the Pyramids of Egypt.  There are numerous festivals throughout the year.

Many felons’ families originated in Ireland.

Traveling to Ireland

Flying to Ireland shouldn’t pose a problem for felons.

The only restriction for them flying would be if they have a felony warrant outstanding against them.

The other possible issue would be if their name is on what is called the no-fly list maintained by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for those suspected of being terrorists.

There are about 3500 names on this list at any time.  So, felons are probably OK for flying.

Going on a cruise is a popular means of travel to Ireland.

There are two types of cruises, closed loop and open loop.  A closed loop cruise is one that starts and ends in the same U.S. port while an open loop cruise has different starting and final port city locations.

Felons may sail on either type of cruise, although the requirements for a closed loop cruise are less restrictive than for open loop cruises.

U.S. citizens going on a closed loop cruise can depart and enter the U.S. with only proof of citizenship.  This proof consists of an original or copy of a birth certificate and a government issued photo ID.

Open loop cruises require a passport, regardless of the starting or destination port.  Since they are traveling to a foreign country, a passport is recommended for either type of cruise.

Requirements to Enter Ireland

Ireland has several requirements all U.S. citizens, regardless of whether they are felons or not, must meet in order to gain entry.

First, the law in Ireland states that they must have at least six valid months remaining on their passport when entering the country.

Those U.S. citizens who stay in the country less than 90 days need to have only a passport.  No visa is required.

Any stay by a U.S. citizen of more than 90 days will require a visa, which must be obtained prior to departing form the U.S.

If you’re in a hurry to get your visa or want someone to walk you through the process, I recommend you use this website to help.

Felons would do best if they plan their stay in the country to be limited to less than 90 days in order to not have to be subjected to having their criminal record checked.

For felons especially, their conduct while in Ireland is critical.  Of course they will want to stay out of legal difficulties.

This would obviously result in significant problems for felons who may find it extremely difficult to gain their release.  For those felons ending up in jail, good legal counsel will be necessary.

It is best to strictly obey all laws and be able to leave the country as planned.

Encouraging Felons to Travel to Ireland

Families of felons who visit Ireland can be helpful to those felons by encouraging them to travel outside the country for a sense of peace and relaxation.  A trip to Ireland can also be a great opportunity to re-connect with their family.

Once the decision has been made to travel to Ireland, be supportive of their making the trip.

It is important to remind them that as a traveler to a foreign country, just being there as an American will bring them under more scrutiny.  For this reason and with a felony record, they must obey the laws and not draw the attention of the legal authorities to themselves.

Remind them of their commitment to live an honest life and how legal difficulties while in Ireland will only defeat these efforts and may result in returning to prison.

Approximately 69% of those released from prison return within the first two years.  Don’t let them be one of those statistics.

So what do you think about this blog post about how a felon can travel to Ireland?  Have you or someone you know traveled to Ireland with a felony?  What was that like and were they successful?   Please tell us in the comments below.

7 thoughts on “Can a Felon Travel to Ireland?”

  1. So, I am finding conflicting answers. My husband was a registered sex offender, is no longer on the registry and has been off probation for at least 5 years. Can we travel safely to Ireland and visit the country?

    Reply
  2. Darrin, are you registered as a sex offender? What happened when you were denied? Only asking because my dad has a csc charge from 25 years ago and were are planning a trip to Ireland. He is no longer registered as a sex offender, as of 10 years ago, but I’d hate to get there and him be denied entry.

    Reply
  3. I was just denied access to Ireland out of Chicago. I do have a 3rd degree CSC from 25 years ago. On 10/3/2019. Very sad day for my family. Not sure my next course of action.

    Reply
  4. What if your a registered sex offender (low level. A young man who slept with a teenage girl) and obtained a felony conviction over 14 years ago??? Can you find out for me? It’s been my dream to go to Ireland with my wife.

    Reply

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