Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

sam_and_marty · #1 01-22-2010, 12:39 PM

Hello all,

I was compelled to leave the US, permanently. 20 years ago I was coerced into pleading (in the US) to something that I later learned was not illegal(!) and cannot get it expunged do to 'crafty' & potentially illegal 'terms' of my plea deal way back then. I never went to prison, but after 20 years of honest hard work I finally made something big for myself: a water-front condo with private boat dock (with ocean & restaurant access), $62K+/yr with company car, etc. all I had to do then was find the right boat and then find a wife (not necessarily in that order, lol). I also never missed a credit or bill payment ever in my life. Now (mysteriously unemployed) I cannot even get a 'loser' 8 dollar/hr job. Long story/short, I legally 'fled' the illegally ran & oppressive US and was logically forced to leave all my unpaid bills behind too (with GREAT sadness, as that is NOT like me at all).

I'm currently exiled in a nearby 3rd-world country where I can no longer support myself, and I'm literally starving for food, and hope!

What European countries can we fly to without entry problems, and where we can pursue a rightful dream of living honestly and reputably? I heard the UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, and some others are refusing many entry, and the person(s) had to spend all their money to change their flight to go right back to the oppressive/near Socialistic US(?) Can we simply fly to Amsterdam or Germany, or (?) Someone PLEASE reply to (email address removed per PTO policy; please PM member) ONLY with ACCURATE and current information, PLEASE. I am now desperate and seriously contemplating Suicide. Please DO NOT reply with 'sales tactics' or 'what were you charged with'. It was a class C fel 20 years ago (but that very 'charge' was a misdemeanor in the law books months earlier just before I 'plead'. Oh, and yes, I (obviously) have a valid passport in case anyone asks.

Thank you very much.

susy dahmer · #2 01-23-2010, 10:11 AM

i would like to help you ,maybe you could emigrate in italy

dutchgeinponem · #3 01-24-2010, 06:46 AM

I would suggest spain or portugal as an port of entry on a tourist waiver as i know for a fact that when you then get an adres and job getting residencia (greencard) is basicly a formality handled by cityhall in the town you work/live in. Once you have this you can then after a couple of months live where you want to within the euroean community. However all this is easier when you are related to a european citizen or plan to live together with one. Try and avoid any of the newer members as most of them still have restrictions in place as to relocating inside the union.

luis84 · #4 01-26-2010, 02:18 PM

I'd recommend spain too. If you can get into one of the european countries your good to go.

I am an italian citizen by birth and I will comment that if you are not related by blood to an italian citizen, it's very hard to get any legal status. However, if you manage to get legal status in spain, you can easily get into italy.

(Spain isn't easy but it sure is a lot easier than italy and some of the other european nations)

sam_and_marty · #5 01-29-2010, 01:09 PM

Thank you for your reply, but can you elaborate just a little? For example: A person in my bizarre (embarrassing) situation nowadays may not be allowed to simply enter into some places in Europe (especially the UK and possibly Luxembourg, Germany, and {I thought} Italy(?)

I wish I still spoke a little Italian and especially wish I knew someone there but I don't. I am desperately seeking places (airports) where I will have NO problem entering, and that same country being a fair place to start over with little money, and will most likely have sufficient people/places that (I hate to ask) will have compassion and 'take me under their wing' and actively 'help' me find a temporary job and affordable/liveable room until I am on my feet and hopefully eventually acquire a work-permit to stay legally. Are you suggesting Italy to be such a good candidate?

Thank you again for your reply.

sam_and_marty · #6 01-29-2010, 01:14 PM

(Thank you for your reply regarding PT or ES, but are you absolutely SURE about it being so easy to obtain a work-permit or 'green-card' to legally stay in Europe with? Do you personally know of current examples of very recent such success stories? Also, may I ask what about Nederlands? That had originally been my first choice...?

Miss Esme · #7 01-29-2010, 05:12 PM

I would recommend checking with each countries embassy website as you will be able to fill out online eligability forms which will give you a rough idea in regards to entry. However going by what you said, you are stuck with what you call 3rd world countries but they don't tend to have as many legal requirements in place compared to the western world.

Mayone · #8 01-29-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dutchgeinponem

I would suggest spain or portugal as an port of entry on a tourist waiver as i know for a fact that when you then get an adres and job getting residencia (greencard) is basicly a formality handled by cityhall in the town you work/live in. Once you have this you can then after a couple of months live where you want to within the euroean community. However all this is easier when you are related to a european citizen or plan to live together with one. Try and avoid any of the newer members as most of them still have restrictions in place as to relocating inside the union.

I think Spain has a more tolerant approach to ex cons than most other European countries. You would need to check entry websites as suggested by another poster.

convictedfelons · #9 01-30-2010, 12:06 AM

Well, Mexico is always an option as they allow anyone in but I'm not sure what the working situation would be. I think the Phillipines also lets people in and no visa is required. I'm not 100% sure but I believe this is info I picked up along the way on this site. I, too, am "stucK" in the US and plan to leave this summer or fall, at the latest. I'm going to Mexico. I make all my money online so I can move anywhere but Mexico seems the next best option. Have you considered Mexico? Maybe a border town where you can possibly find work since you speak English? Keep me posted on what you decide. Who know - maybe I'll take my "mobile" job and go to Europe too. I certainly can relate to not being to find work over something that was questionable and happened so long ago.

dutchgeinponem · #10 01-30-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam_and_marty

(Thank you for your reply regarding PT or ES, but are you absolutely SURE about it being so easy to obtain a work-permit or 'green-card' to legally stay in Europe with? Do you personally know of current examples of very recent such success stories? Also, may I ask what about Nederlands? That had originally been my first choice...?

I cant be 100 percent sure for a ex-con as i only now firsthand through a friend of mine who is spanish and used it to get a russian girlfriend a visa/workpermit telling me the procedure and how easy it was. But I also know how there are a lot of brits with a long and serious record in spain with no problems even before spain was a EU member.
The netherlands could be a good move after you get your visa in spain as you would then be entitled to live/work anywhere in the EU,but getting your visa in the netherlands straight up is probably more difficult unless your conviction is 10 years old or older.Mostly thats is just because of our liberal ways relying on common sense instead of enforcement in most things having to make sure visitors are able to cope with that freedom and
not go wild. Once your here though nobody really cares about you having a record and privacy laws prohibits anyone other then judges or da's from checking up anyway. But like i said i would use spain as a entry point, its even where i will bring my wife to when she is able to have her passport. I am a dutch native and citizen able to bring her straight in but the spain route is still easier and quicker.

Succ33d · #11 01-30-2010, 12:42 PM

I doubt ANY European country will take you under your wings - as you say. There are plenty of countries you can travel to and even get a residency, but unless you are a refugee, nothing will come "for free". Most places will require that you can support yourself. I don't think any country wants to take in people who don't have a valid reason for staying, for example their skills are needed in the work force, you have family and seek family reunion etc.. etc. Maybe I misunderstand you, and if so, I'm sorry. There are millions and millions of people struggling in the world, and we would have a HUGE problem if everyone wanted to move in to be under our wings. This is why I think you will have problems finding a country that will be easy, because nothing about immigration is easy. There are several European countries that won't give you any hassle because of your criminal record, as many countries have the policy that once you've done your time, you've done your time, but that doesn't mean it is easy to move to those countries. I know you could travel to my country without any problems, but moving here is increasingly harder if you're not needed in some type of way. I don't think anyone can really advice you on where to go... I think it is something you have to figure out yourself. Most countries will decide on a case to case basis....

I wish you luck in your search though, and I hope you figure it out.

MandyMeMe · #12 02-02-2010, 09:34 AM

Great thread here...so..what exactly would one need to enter spain...or even board a flight to spain. Flying out of Central America!

MightGoMightNot · #13 07-23-2012, 02:25 AM

Hate to necro an old post, but ran across it on Google for a common search term. Since its PTO and I'm an occasional participant on this site, I thought I've give some information, since I've researched this issue down to the nuts and bolts.

First off, never in my life have I encountered another issue where the internet so completely failed to provide accurate information. I mean, there is literally not a single, comprehensive source of information on this question, but it's been asked plenty of times and there is a godawful amount of rank speculation, theories and terrible advice.

The short of it is this.
Every country has their own residency regulations. The EU and Schengen area have some blanket immigration rules of their own, but for the most part, this specific question is left up to the host country.

Here's the thing.
There isn't- nor will there ever be- a country on earth that is "welcoming" of people with records and will openly advertise that fact. If they ever did, the public/political backlash would be immediate and that door would close. It's kind of like the poor souls who wander into the employment forum asking for the "list of companies that hire people with felonies". There's a reason why people willing to take a considerate approach don't take out a newspaper ad to announce that fact. If you want to find them, you're going to have to do the legwork. Nobody's going to hand you a 'list'.

Several countries have hard-line rules about criminal background and immigration, most take a considerate approach on a case by case basis. Unfortunately, basically anywhere you go in Europe, you're going to run the risk of being denied permanent residency upon application due to background, but there's also a chance it will be granted if the facts are favorable or if your offense wasn't very 'scary'. Europeans aren't nearly as hysterical about a single mistake in ones past than Americans are, but most of their rules do establish that you can be denied residency due to 'character and fitness requirements'.

There's one country (you probably wouldn't expect) that predicates it's criminal inadmissibility on the basis of having served (X) time in prison. If you're over, the answer's no, period. If you're under that number, you get in line with everyone else.

There are a few countries that are just plain lax about it and don't really care at all.

I've found some countries that are much more favorable than others (and no, I'm not going to name them) but it all boils down to your determining the countries you wish to live in, then contacting their consulate and asking this question directly to a consular officer. There's still a chance you will get misguided information, but it's a lot more likely to be accurate than any of the speculative drivel you find on the internet.

A good preliminary investigation where you *can* get good information is the consulate website, then find the section on immigration rules and residency visa applications. Usually, some sort of guideline on this matter is in there.

One last bit of advice...
A large reason why US citizens with an entry on their criminal record are so 'hyper-aware' of this issue is because we only border with two countries and one of them- Canada- has a mutual cooperation agreement with the US to share instant access to police information (and they will deny you at the border every time). The US does not have this arrangement with anyone else (that I know of) but we are definitely entering that matrix, as far as this sort of thing goes. Everyone here, presuming reasonable health, will live to see the day when border checkpoints- anywhere you go in the 1st world- will involve a "scan" and complete digital traveler dossier which very well may include criminal background. If you're someone with a record who's ever seriously considered expatriating, your options are limited enough as it is but you might want to get on the ball. When the day comes that all border checkpoints are networked, your opportunity to do so will be gone.

MightGoMightNot · #14 07-23-2012, 10:12 PM

One last bit of advice.

In many cases, the permanent residency/citizenship procedures can be very different for persons who are applying after having lived there trouble-free for a meaningful period of time via temporary residency then subsequently apply for permanent residency, versus persons who apply for permanent residency from overseas at a consulate office.

That's all I'm gunna say on that.