I don't think this forum would be really big, but it might be useful. Cwqueen brought me on the idea. So maybe (when you're not that busy anymore) you could set up a forum in which people from other countries can post questions and information about what the rules are for an ex prisoner to move over there. I.e. I know that in the Netherlands they request that you've not been in prison in the last 4 years, to be allowed over here...

soraya,
I know this much it is nearly impossible for a person with a spotless record to move to the US. I have a good friend from New Zealand that has been trying and has met more brick walls than you can imagine. Hate to sound so negative but since the terroist attack I can only imagine the tight controls have been taken up a notch.

She has had proposals of marriage to help her become a US citizen but it had so many restrictions (like she could not return home for a lenghty peroid of time etc) she wasn't interested in that either.

She works for a copmpany in New Zealand that has offices in the US and she couldn't even transfer to work for the US based office. She had to be in a high technical/proffesionsl field. Something that the US could not provide. (Don't want foreiegners taking our jobs ya know?)

yes, I know.I'm trying to maybe get a visum for only a year, but it's really hard. But I think this forum might also be useful for the people that want to move out of the US

i want out of the US so bad it's not even funny... and any info that clarified where we could possibly move would be helpful.. thanks for bringing that up soraya.

ps.. this is after granddaughter is grown. i couldn't bear to be away from her as i couldn't afford to fly back and forth a lot.

eva

eva, any idea to which country you would like to move? Would you come to Europe or another part of the world?

This forum could be for both moving permanently, and traveling?
I had a conversation about U.S. citizens with criminal records visiting Canada. I found out I have to apply at least 6 months prior to the visit.
This conversation took place in Ex-Offender forums (I think) and I agree Soraya, it would be a good idea..
It's on my list.. Tell me more if you would like..

David

David,
I was under the impression that these things would be posted in the immigration forum. It people posted theor ?'s there I could help out with some suggestions.
Maybe it could be changed to immigration and traveling?
Just a thought
Michelle

Yeah, I agree with Donna, we should decide where to place this?

Speaking of travel

I can't vote, can't own a gun, BUT I can have a legal vaid passport.

Can anyone explain this to me? The travels I said before was done AFTER the ordeal. I'm on my 3rd passport now, just renewed last year.

to soraya;

Canada, Scotland, Holland ( i have 4 or 5th cousins there); Portugal, Canary Islands, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark..

since the only country i have actually visited is Canada (which i loved) that is first on my list. i absolutely want to be able to come to Europe at some time when i have lots of time to travel and see. although New Zealand in photos is gorgeous beyond words; i think the air flight to anywhere would be horendous..

since i am almost 47; by the time i have the money saved to move i will most likely choose Canada so that i can come in to US for medical care that i have paid for all my life. Canada however does not look like an easy country to immigrate to.

thanks for asking...

eva

Not long ago, one of my brothers (I'm from a big family) drives a truck and had to carry a load to Canada. He's never been convicted of a felony (charged once, but charges were reduced), but a couple of misdemeanors (public drunk, petty theft) - when he was young and dumb, he's in mid-thirties now. He was stopped at the Canadian border and not allowed to enter, due to his criminal record. He had to turn his truck around and make other arrangements. Sounds strict to me, but he didn't apply for any type admission application or anything.

Eva, where in Holland does your family live? For information about living in Holland, you can check the web site of the US embassy here:

http://www.usemb.nl/main.htm
or
http://www.usemb.nl/links.htm
or the website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
http://www.minbuza.nl/english/menu.asp?key=257591&pad=257570,257574

I hope this helps out? At least you can read a lot of stuff about Holland now LOL

for pictures about my homecountry Belgium (best country in the world LOl), you can check www.belgium.com

Hi Eva,
As far as immigrating to Canada goes, it can be stupidly difficult or seemingly easy, depending on who you get at Immigration and what your circumstances are. Seems to me that once you are here, working or supporting yourself, you have a far better chance of staying(much like the US, i think)Vancouver receives ship-loads of illegal Immigrants from China on a weekly basis, they are caught, detained for a period of time and then sent off to the nearest welfare office for support and medical care. In your case, I would think you would perhaps move somewhere close to a border crossing and continue your health care via US, although Canada is actually fortunate to have one of the best health care setups in the world. Go to the UN site and compare the countries you are interested in retiring in. I found it a really interesting site.
Pardons are also very easy to get in Canada for criminal records as I helped my ex obtain one a few years back. It costs.....but I guess that is all relevant to how much it means to you.

You take care :)

Shannon

>>>Pardons are also very easy to get in Canada for criminal records<<<

Does that partain to records from a different country?

HI BRay :)
I dunno about pardons to ppl not of the country they apply for the pardon from. I am assuming you would apply in the country you received the sentence/charges in. All I know is my ex had Canadian charges and he applied for a pardon to be able to travel in the US. Too bad they let him back in when he came back..LOL

Take Care,
Shan:fb:

Michelle,
Good point! I was flying through and didn't analyse that one.
I guess the question now should be whether to change the name to Immigration & Travel?
Sorry about the dealy on this. Please don't hesitate to email too! Sometimes I miss some of the forum posts. Just came across this one.

David

IMMIGRATION AND TRAVEL SOUNDS GOOD TO ME, LET ME KNOW.

Hi,

As the posts in this thread were made 7 years ago, hope some of you are still around to respond?

My question is, if someone here knows?

What are the chances of an ex inmate from NZ getting a visitor's visa (& eventually a greencard) for entry into the USA?

Appreciate any constructive feedback.

Thanx in advance,

Patu

You need to check with the NZ embassy and the US embassy in order to get accurate information. I do know that it is extremely difficult to get green card status. Not sure about visitor visa.

This is a good thread, I think it would make a good forum too!

My man and I are going to get married after he gets out in 2012 (he will be on probation for 5 years though after that), and we were wondering where to go on our honeymoon (I know he probably can't leave the country on probation but we're willing to postpone it) but I'm not sure where convicted felons can go in terms of travelling.

Update:

Good news, I just found out that certain countries including mine have what's called a 90 day (for tourism or business) Visa Waiver Program with the US of A.

I guess you're right ONLY it'd probably be best that I do check with the US Embassy conerning entry for people with convictions.

Kind regards,

Patu

the visa waiver oficially don't aply to those with a record of any kind.In fact there's a check box on it asking if you've ever been a suspect as thats already grounds for a denial.Now if they'd find out whether anyone falsely said no to the question is questionable ofcourse but there's a risk specialy with nowadays computers.

regards cas

the visa waiver oficially don't aply to those with a record of any kind.How do you know that Cas?

In fact there's a check box on it asking if you've ever been a suspect as thats already grounds for a denial.Do you know all this because you have criminal convictions & you've applied for yourself or do you know because you work for the govt?

I guess I'll eventually find the answers to those questions for myself when I contact the US Embassy.

Kind regards,

Patu