• 8.4 million Brits could be denied entry to foreign countries due to previous criminal conviction
• Travellers can even be denied entry if they have ever been arrested, cautioned or convicted of an offence, even if they were never prosecuted
• Passengers must declare all offences and acquire the appropriate paperwork ahead of travel

New research by Direct Line Travel Insurance1 reveals millions of Brits could be setting themselves up for rejection by attempting to enter foreign countries without properly disclosing their prior criminal convictions. Criminal offences which could mean travellers are refused entry are referred to as “moral turpitude” by US border officials and usually include crimes that go against the accepted standard of a community, ranging from fraud, to theft and assault. 

Britons considering travelling to the United States should be aware border officials may turn away anyone arrested, cautioned or convicted of a crime that involved “moral turpitude” including; fraud, arson, blackmail, bigamy, forgery, receiving stolen property and embezzling. More than eight million British citizens have been arrested for offences that would fall into this category since 2011, according to the insurer’s analysis of crime statistics2.

In 2015 alone, almost two million Brits committed an offence that would be categorised as involving ‘moral turpitude’, with ‘violent assault without injury’ registering the most offenders (518,370).

Table one: Top ten moral turpitude offences that could keep travellers out of the US

Source: Direct Line analysis of ONS data 2017

Brits should be aware that they can even be denied entry by border officials globally if they have committed an offence but were never convicted. In the United States, if a passenger has ever been arrested, cautioned or convicted they are required to declare it, even if it is considered spent and it is not included on their database record. Travellers could also be refused entry if they have ever been denied entry or been removed from the US previously and fail to provide the relevant documentation3.

While restrictions to passengers with criminal convictions travelling from the UK to countries in the EU are relatively relaxed, for many countries which require a visa it is essential that any criminal history is reported on entry, as failure to do so can result in deportation. Australia and New Zealand have strict entry regulations, with any traveller who has been sentenced to 12 months or more in prison likely to fail Australia’s ‘character requirement’ test and be denied entry4. Destinations such as Cuba and Russia also require that tourists prove they have adequate travel insurance before allowing them to cross the border.

Many celebrities have been left red faced and scrambling for the appropriate paperwork when trying to enter foreign countries due to previous convictions, including drugs charges and assault.

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line commented: “The US, Canada, China and Australia are some of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits outside of Europe. With the world becoming ever smaller and people ready to explore, it is vital for travellers to check they are eligible to visit before booking their trip, and have all the correct paperwork before heading to the airport.

“Travellers can check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, so they know what is required and give themselves enough time to get the necessary paperwork to avoid being turned away at customs. No one wants their holiday to end before it even begins.”

The US is the top non-European travel hotspot for Britons and has some of the most stringent border controls. Any Brit travelling to the US from the UK must have a valid ESTA5, which allows travel without a visa, before boarding their flight. However, those who have committed a ‘moral turpitude’ offence are required to apply for a visa. If travellers attempt to enter the US having lied on the ESTA about their criminal convictions or without the correct documentation, they could be committing a criminal offence under US law6 and denied entry.

As part of the visa application process for countries such as; Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, New Zealand, South Africa or the United States, travellers with criminal convictions also need to provide a police certificate and may have to attend an interview at the embassy.

Canada recently changed its policy so that anyone seeking entry will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before boarding a flight to the country.

For further information on entry requirements to any country travellers should visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

1. Direct Line analysis of data available from the ONS, gov.uk and statista.com https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets /recordedcrimedataatpoliceforcearealevelincludingpivottable
2. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/recordedcrimedataatpoliceforcearealevelincludingpivottable
3. https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/tourism-visitor/required-documents/?_ga=2.32909502.1222442614.1495455733-1703537182.1495184451
4. http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/travelling-australia/#Criminal%20convictions 
   https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Char
5. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements
6. https://www.nacro.org.uk/resettlement-advice-service/support-for-individuals/travelling-abroad-and-immigration-to-the-uk/declaring-your-criminal-record-when-travelling-to-specific-countries/the-united-states/
7. https://www.statista.com/statistics/303565/blackmail-in-england-and-wales-uk-y-on-y/

 

For further information, please contact:

Charlotte Pascal
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: 0207 282 1021
Email: [email protected]

Claire Jarrett 
Media Relations Executive
Direct Line Group
Tel: 01651 832 411
Email: [email protected]

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

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