Now that he’s a convicted felon, former President Donald Trump might find it difficult to travel internationally.
A number of nations prohibit tourists convicted of felony crimes from applying for travel visas, including the United States.
Trump should have no problems entering visa-exempt countries like Argentina, Canada, Japan, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
While U.S. passports do not provide information about criminal histories, Trump might run into a little trouble if he’s asked about his record by a customs official.
New York immigration attorney Karin Wolman said that if Trump were to win a second term as president this November, his conviction on 34 felony counts “would almost certainly affect his ability to travel for diplomatic purposes” to countries like Australia, China, India, Israel, New Zealand and Taiwan.
All six nations require visas in order to visit, and all of their visa applications include questions about criminal backgrounds.
Wolman said these countries are mostly interested in keeping out violent criminals and sex offenders.
Trump’s offenses were non-violent, Wolman said, so he’ll likely be asked to apply for waivers or a temporary visa, and “it will be up to each individual country whether they want to waive his 34 felony convictions” and let him in.
“You just can’t lie on your application or during your interview,” Wolman said. “If you lie on that application or during the [subsequent visa] interview, they will deny you.”
Attorney Gadi Zohar said a criminal history can sometimes make it difficult to get certain types of visas, but added that “with diplomats, it’s a different story.”
Zohar said it will ultimately depend on each individual country, but “as the president,” should he win in November, “I don’t see them not letting him into those allied nations.”
Wolman agreed most heads of state or diplomats usually get a pass or “may not be subjected to the full range of questions” asked of “normal mortals” during the visa application process.
“But any attempt to conceal a conviction is an automatic disqualifier,” Wolman reiterated.
“Normally, you’re also asked to show your disposition records and some proof you served time,” she said, “but it’s not exactly a secret that he was convicted, given its on every front page.”
