Travel to Ireland with a US felony

I know at least two people who have been to Ireland recently who have felonies in their backgrounds and had no problems. And when I have gone to Ireland I have never been asked anything other than "how long are you staying?". I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks...do you know if it would be the same in london?

I don't know for sure, but when I went through there last year it was the same as in Ireland -- the only question was how long I was intending to stay. I don't really know how they would know if you have a felony, anyway.

You might want to check with the State Dept of this one as well as the consulates of the countries you plan to visit.

Remember, just because all you are asked is how long you plan to stay, there is a lot of information encrypted on your passport that gets scanned as you go through immigration.

Don't forget immigration agents also scan the numbers on the bottom of the picture page. They usually have computer monitors next to them looking at some sort of info about you. I know people who have been denied entry into Canada for previous DWIs and that's not even a felony. I would check with the Irish Embassy.

Well, call me paranoid, but if you do check with the embassies, I suggest you not give them your real name. They may flag it just because you asked.

Julia,

You might also want to post this question on the ThornTree message board (Lonely Planet). It's possible that someone there has experience with that type of situation.

It's great that you're checking on it now, as it may avoid problems when you're travelling. With the constantly improving data links between international law enforcement agencies, it's probably not a good thing to leave to chance.

Good luck!

You should look at Ireland's embassy website to check their rules. If there is any question, you can apply for a visa. If your visa is approved, you don't have to worry that you may not be allowed in when you arrive, the visa is your permission.

You might also want to read the fine print of your probation terms. Good luck!

DW,, Julia did not say she was on probation. She said she had a felony .. Could have been a DUI from 10 years ago,, who knows, but I would hardly assume she was on probation.

Julia , my friend had her DUI pardoned after 10 years so she could go to Hawaii with us. She likely would not have been stopped, but she wasn't willing to lose all her money if refused at the gate so to speak. Its kind of weird, all it took was money, which makes me think what a racket it is.. ( oh and a clean record since)

PS ( Not saying it was a DUI , just used that as an example because it is the one felony I knew someone with, LOL )

I traveled to Ireland last year with a friend who has a felony from eleven years ago. He was not questioned or stopped at any time, either entering Ireland or reentering the US. They asked him the same question that they asked me, which was, "How long will you be in Ireland?" Our passport stamps show the same length of time allowed to remain in Ireland (I think at the time it was 30 days, though we were only staying seven). There was absolutely no problem. And Pat, she did say her probation officer told her she could go -- that would probably indicate that she is on probation.

Pat, Julia did reference her probation officer in her initial post, which could easily be interpreted that she is still on probation. Whether she is still on probation or just has maintained a healthy post-probation relationship with her probation officer is unclear. In fact, my assumption in reading her initial post led to the question in my mind: Can you travel abroad while on probation for a felony? (don't get me wrong, I'm not being judgmental about the felony conviction, which I know nothing about; I think some felony convictions are entirely stupid, but that's an entirely different topic to discuss). If Julia IS still on probation, then if I were her, I would not only be concerned about the policies of the receiving country, but also those of the country of origination as well.

Julia, I hope you make this trip work and have a great trip. The UK and Ireland are great countries to visit and you'll love them both.

Sorry, don't know how I missed that, it does seem odd to me a probation officer wouldn't mind her leaving the country, but I guess if its just for some small thing then they aren't too worried about it( my friends son ( 16yrs) was on probation for stealing and he was allowed to go on a family holiday to Hawaii.

I think it something Julia should research on the embassy sites for the UK and Ireland, anonymously.. LOL

thanks to everyones replies...I am looking into all suggestions and will let you know what happens.

Just an FYI, I am currenlty on probation, 6 months into five years. It was not a dwi, a little more serious then that (but not a violent felony just in case you were wondering). My probation officer said there are no restrictions on the US side, it's only the country I plan to visit. I did recieved my passport with out any problems last week.

I know for sure I will never be allowed into canada again.

thanks again all....

Please let us know what you find out. I have heard a rumor that you cannot travel to the UK if you have a felony conviction, but I have not had that substantiated.

I'm interested in traveling to Ireland for my honeymoon in 2010, and I have a conviction in my past also (my time has been served however)

Ed, Ireland and the UK are different countries -- unless you're talking about Northern Ireland. Suze said she traveled to Ireland with someone who had a felony in their past and there was no problem. I also know of two people in the same situation who have traveled fairly recently to Ireland (not the UK) and had no problem, either.

Julia,

Have a great trip, and best wishes on your probation. 5 years is a long time when it's in front of you, but in hindsight it goes (went?) by quickly.

Mike

I know someone that traveled to the UK several times with a felony on their record. No questions were asked entering the UK or coming back to the US.