Are you looking to travel to Ireland but don’t know if your criminal record will allow you to? Can you travel to Ireland with a felony? What are the travel restrictions for people with a criminal history?
In this blog post, you’ll find answers to all of those questions. You will get a clear answer as to whether you can go to Ireland with a U.S. felony.
Traveling to Ireland with a felony record
Even a convicted felon can gain entry to the Republic of Ireland. This information comes from the FelonyRecordHub, a website dedicated to assisting citizens with felony convictions.
A border security officer will check the felon’s criminal records upon arrival in Ireland. Such a security checkup will be conducted by the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS) in conjunction with Interpol.
An immigration officer will conduct an interview, in which they’ll examine your past law infringements. Remember that a felon must be ready to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.
According to Irish law, if you’ve been sentenced to jail for a minimum of 1 (one) year, you will be denied entry.
However, the Irish government considers minor offenses “spent” after a period of 7 (seven) years since the completion of your sentence. Major crimes, like rape, will effectively disable you from entering Ireland.
Related readings:
- Can You Travel to Europe with a Felony —How-To Guide
- Can You Go to the UK With a Felony Conviction – A Quick Guide
- Do You Need a Passport to Go to Ireland?
- Can You Fly if You Have a Warrant?
- Can You Travel to Mexico With a Felony?
- Can You Travel on Felony Probation – A Definitive Answer
- Can You Travel to Italy With a Felony— Everything You Need To Know
Traveling to Ireland with a felony – restrictions
Even though the Irish law doesn’t require felons to explain their criminal history in detail upon arrival, there are still cases when you are effectively denied entry.
Convicted U.S. felons on the no-fly list will be eligible to enter Ireland. Maintained by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the list contains the names of people suspected of terrorist activity.
If you are a U.S. felon, you will also be denied entry if:
- you don’t have sufficient funds to support your stay;
- you wish to work but haven’t acquired a permit;
- the immigration agent considers you a security threat;
- you have either serious mental disturbances, are addicted to drugs, or carry an infectious disease;
- there’s a deportation order placed against you;
- you have a pending criminal case.
Should the felon be under probation, travel outside of the U.S. will require either their probation officer’s or judge’s approval. A successful appeal will allow you to visit Ireland despite travel restrictions.
Both expect a convicted felon to provide compelling arguments for the trip. The most common ones are:
- accepting a job offer;
- being closer to family.
The U.S. government also grants special waivers to those who need to leave the country and travel abroad. They’re issued when a person under probation needs to travel for:
- an emergency
- humanitarian reasons.
The waiver will allow the felon to travel to Ireland once.
Moreover, such a voyage to Ireland will require the felon to stay in contact with their probation officer. You will have to stick to the trip plan you’ve previously discussed with the supervisor.
Can you go to Ireland with a felony – summary
U.S. citizens can travel to Ireland despite criminal records. They will be interviewed and evaluated upon arrival on the island. Americans with a felony will be allowed entry if they meet the requirements, like financial stability, no pending criminal case against them, or not carrying any infectious diseases.
If a felon has served a prison sentence of at least 1 (one) year, they’ll be allowed in after a period of 7 (seven) years. If, however, their jail sentence was due to a major crime, they won’t be allowed entry to Ireland.
Only a special waiver issued by a U.S. judge can change that.
Going to Ireland with a felony: FAQ
Here are the most commonly asked questions about traveling to Ireland with a felony record.
Does Ireland allow felons to visit?
Yes, people with a felony conviction can still visit Ireland. If the crime you committed resulted in a prison sentence of at least a year, you will have to wait 7 (seven) years after you’ve served your time. That rule applies to minor crimes.
A felon, that is a registered sex offender for instance, will not be allowed entry.
Ireland allows felons to visit if they successfully complete the evaluation process upon arrival. This includes a background check, as well as financial security and mental health assessment.
You’ll also need either a court order or a probation officer’s approval if you’re on probation.
Can U.S. felons travel to Ireland?
American citizens with a criminal record can still enter Ireland. As long as a U.S. traveler meets certain requirements, they’ll be allowed in. These requirements include, for example, their name absent from the no-fly list, no felony warrant or pending case against the felon, insufficient funds for the stay.
The U.S. felon will be allowed to enter if they’re not carrying an infectious disease, aren’t addicted to drugs or don’t have severe mental problems.
Sources
Graduated from the University of Warsaw, Michał, is a biometric photography expert with an undying thirst for adventure and a writer at Passport-Photo.Online. A self-proclaimed book and movie critic as well, he’s always eager to visit to the most underrated or less popular travel destinations.
