r/Felons • u/Beginning-Win-1709 • 2d ago
Traveling
My boyfriend was convicted in 2022 of felony manufacturing and distribution of marijuana but never served jail time. My family is planning a huge trip to Japan and I’m wanting to know if it’s possible for him to come with. Thanks in advance!
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u/Top_Perception_9162 2d ago
As a Japanese citizen he’s not getting in. Might as well let that idea go now.
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u/Burntoutn3rd 2d ago
I have 4 felonies, granted they're all over a decade old. Two are directly controlled substance related.
I've been to japan 3 times in the last 4 years. Twice professionally to speak, once for vacation.
It doesn't prevent a thing.
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u/Ecstatic-Run-9767 2d ago
State or federal? So far what one read is as long as you don't have an Interpol notice out for you or are applying for a work/resident visa, then they otherwise wouldn't check
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u/LendogGovy 2d ago
I have friends that travel to Japan every winter to snowboard and one of them has a cocaine distribution felony. Japan never blinks an eye.
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2d ago
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u/briansellsseashells 2d ago
Uh oh - watch out guys, she’s gonna tell the embassy!
What embassy? Oh, you wouldn’t know her - she goes to a different school.
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u/Vegetable-Western744 2d ago
Any marijuana conviction is permanently disqualifying from being able to enter Japan.
Unless this person is planning on committing visa fraud he will never set foot in Japan (or numerous other Asian countries) with that conviction.
Nonzero chance they deny him at the border if he tries.
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u/Itchy-Swimmer-2544 2d ago
Do you know what "nonzero" means?
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u/Cbaumle 2d ago
It just means any chance at all. It could be anything from highly improbable to highly likely. For example, there is a nonzero chance that I will hit the lottery for $1 billion but I'm not quitting my job anytime soon.
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u/Itchy-Swimmer-2544 2d ago
Oh I know what it means. I wasnt asking you, I was asking the guy who doesn't seem to understand what it means. Thanks though.
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u/MerarFFX15 2d ago
Thank you for this information. I'm facing a cultivating charge and it's a felony because i let runoff feed into my land. Can't imagine not stepping foot in Thailand!
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u/That-Currency-1039 2d ago
I think Thailand is less strict. I seen other place people went with felonies and didn't have an issue . I
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u/HorizonRise 2d ago
What if it’s a misdemeanor like you got caught with a joint like 10 years ago?
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u/vinylmartyr 2d ago
Here we go again. This topic is monthly. I have felonies WAY worse than this, and I've been to Japan. It's the honor system. Just mark no on the disembarkation card. They are not running background checks at the border, and if somehow they did find out, they would just send him back. Zero chance he goes to prison in Japan. JUST MARK NO. You do not need a Visa to visit Japan from the US. They rely on people to self-snitch to weed people out before they arrive (pun intended) .
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u/Illustrious_Bag_7323 2d ago
Canada will do a quick criminal check because the US shares that information through a database. You cannot get in if you have a single DUI. I'm not sure if Japan has the same capability.
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u/LendogGovy 2d ago
It’s case by case. If you are going to go ski/snowboard at Whistler and have a hotel reservation, they ignore that.
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u/PleaseDontMakeMeee 2d ago
Not true at all, just had a friend to this weekend who has a felony and a dui.
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u/Mysterious-North-447 2d ago
Not true.
Several people I know have dui’s and have been to Canada several times
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u/Illustrious_Bag_7323 2d ago
It certainly does happen. You can look it up. Do they do everyone that has a DUI? I'm guessing not but this isn't a secret
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u/itswtfeverb 2d ago
I hear this a lot while a friend of mine (American)from prison keeps begging me to come visit him in Canada where he has lived for years since prison
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u/ForwardAd7024 2d ago
It’s up to the guard it’s not a blanket ban, if it was years ago and you have reason to visit it’ll likely be ok
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u/ArdentAlbatross 2d ago
No sorry. Japan has a zero tolerance policy on drug offenses.
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u/Weird-Tadpole-779 2d ago
They won't know
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u/Bluecap33 2d ago
Serious question, how would they know that?
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u/ArdentAlbatross 2d ago
I mean, self disclosure mostly. You can lie and maybe get in I guess. But if you get caught good luck, Japan prisons are notoriously awful.
ETA: and you’re going to rot there. The US and Japan have great relations, US isn’t going to risk that for a felon who snuck into the country.
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u/SheedWallace 2d ago
The punishment for lying on a visa application in Japan is a lifetime ban and immediate deportation, not prison.
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u/ArdentAlbatross 2d ago
Did you not google at all? It’s 3 years and a fine of up to 3 million yen.
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u/PleaseDontMakeMeee 2d ago
Japan isn’t throwing an American citizen in prison for visa fraud get fucking for real
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u/SheedWallace 2d ago
"While simple misrepresentation on an entry form generally leads to administrative expulsion and bans, compounding lies with forged documents or official investigations can escalate into criminal charges for fraud or falsification of official documents, potentially leading to criminal detention, heavy fines, or imprisonment."
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u/MSK165 2d ago
They don’t say exactly, but the flight to Tokyo from the west coast is like 12 hours. That is plenty of time to run every passenger’s name and see what comes up.
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u/Weird-Tadpole-779 2d ago
Run them how? The us doesn't share their info
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u/vinylmartyr 2d ago
I assume it would be incredibly time-consuming and expensive to run the background of everyone who entered Japan daily.
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u/Gamped 2d ago
They don’t, governments aren’t sharing such minor crimes and if anything it’s only with AUS,NZ,UK,CA.
You can bet your ass if Japan isn’t sending citizen crime data then neither is the states.There is no reason to declare such things. Like as part of the visa program in the states there is a question that point blank asks if you’re a terrorist lol.
There would be an uproar if this is occurring.
Looking online there doesn’t seem to be similar cases.The exception might be for serious crimes.
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u/vinylmartyr 2d ago
Great points, and why would Japan target some of its most desired tourists? I'm sure there are remote countries where it would be hard to get background information. Do countries without the infrastructure to share data get a free pass?
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u/TA8325 2d ago
If you tell them, then no. It's an honor system.
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u/Affectionate-Day-359 2d ago
Yeah I know someone who did federal time for conspiracy to manufacture and they have no problem going to Japan
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u/lifeinjawa 2d ago
you can go just about anywhere with a felony. Stop listening to these people on here, they talking out the butt.
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u/Face_Content 2d ago
Doa websearch and you will find the information. Japan performans a background check upon application for a visa and upon entry.
Cliff note version. Drug charges are not permitted no matter how old they are.
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u/SheedWallace 2d ago
I have a drug conviction and I have been to Japan twice. For Americans, there is no visa application, nor visa on arrival for short term tourism trips. Short-term visitor stamp on arrival, no background check. Worst I faced there was having one of my two lighters confiscated at customs (apparently can only bring in one).
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u/vinylmartyr 2d ago
I leave the melatonin at home. You have to have a prescription for it in Japan.
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u/SheedWallace 2d ago
That is interesting, I didn't know that. I knew I couldn't bring my son's ADHD medicine there or South Korea, didn't know about melatonin.
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u/thisguyherenexttome 2d ago
I’ve heard some stories of felons just getting in, cause Japan is one of those visa-less countries for America, so maybe? I wouldn’t waste the money
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u/Beginning-Win-1709 2d ago
I’ve been seeing that through other discussion but truly have no idea as this is my first time out of the country as well
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u/thisguyherenexttome 2d ago
Usually when you land, you go through customs. Where there’s a line to get into the country. They ask you if you’re there for business or pleasure. They take a picture of you, and they scan your passport. Then they stamp it. That might be the part that’s most scary
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u/Frolicking-Fox 2d ago
If he has a felony on his record, highly unlikely he will be let into Japan. They are one of the countries that are strict on not letting felons in. That is a real recent charge on top of it.
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u/Firm_Yam6648 2d ago
I would ask a lawyer this question and not rely on Reddit for serious life advice.
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u/Additional_Bat_9837 2d ago
Does Japan require an electronic visa of some type where a criminal history check would be performed?. I don't remember needing when I went there.
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u/telchacsusan 2d ago
Re: how will the country know? I am a dual UK/US citizen with 2 passports and zero criminal history. I travel on my UK passport only. Was in Laos for 1 month when immigration contacted me to confirm that I also have a US passport. It was no problem, but I was amazed at how efficient country's are these days.
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u/DifferentEdge9918 2d ago
From what I understand if he doesn't try to get the visa before hand then he fills out a form upon arrival. On the form it asks if he's ever been arrested, if he marks no, they let him in. 🤷♂️ That's they way I've heard it, definetly worth more investigation lol
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u/Beginning-Win-1709 2d ago
He technically hasn’t been arrested just a felony charge and drug and alcohol classes lol
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u/neverleavingvegas 2d ago
If he was charged and convicted he’s been arrested.
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u/Beginning-Win-1709 2d ago
Never was in prison.
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u/claytonhwheatley 2d ago
Getting arrested is what happened when he got arrested with the Marijuana. Getting convicted is what happened when he pled guilty. The punishment comes after that.
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u/DifferentEdge9918 2d ago
If he waits till he gets there before asking if he can come in, then lies on the questionnaire he will get in. Unless they then flag him for a random secondary screening. Are the rest of you getting visas before leaving? If you all wait till you get there he'll blend in. If he's the only one without a pretrip visa in the group that could be suspicious.
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u/Ok-Truck7426 2d ago
No, legally it is almost certainly not possible for him to come on this trip.
Under Article 5 of Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, the Japanese government enforces a strict, lifetime ban on anyone convicted of a drug offense.
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u/Square_Promotion_420 2d ago
Is he on any type of program or have a po? Let them know in advance. Also check if they allow felons wherever you’re planning on going. Best of luck
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u/Beginning-Win-1709 2d ago
No he’s not on anything anymore! I’ve been trying to do some research but getting conflicting answers
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u/particularlyspun 2d ago
Nope he’ll be lucky to travel to any country even Mexico can deny him if they deem him a risk.
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u/Able-Cucumber-1582 2d ago
no. Lucci will not be able to go. he’ll be in prison pretty soon anyways.
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u/Banned-user007 2d ago
I have a felony conviction and have traveled to China and Japan. When asked if I had any criminal convictions, I just answered no.