United Kingdom

Strict

EUROPE — UK & IRELAND

Felon entry rules

STRICT — Formal statutory bar. UK Immigration Rules, Part Suitability (formerly Part 9); updated Nov. 11, 2025.
MANDATORY REFUSAL: Any conviction worldwide resulting in a custodial sentence of 12 months or more — NO exceptions and NO time limit.
MANDATORY REFUSAL: Persistent offender; offences causing serious harm.
DISCRETIONARY REFUSAL: Custodial sentence under 12 months; non-custodial sentences; out-of-court disposals (at officer discretion regardless of how long ago).
For visitor entry (under 6 months): custodial sentence under 12 months triggers mandatory refusal unless 12+ months have passed since end of sentence.
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) required for U.S. citizens — includes criminal history questions.
Spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 do NOT apply to immigration — all convictions must be disclosed.
️ Part Suitability replaced Part 9 on Nov. 11, 2025 — stricter consistency across visa routes.

Registered person entry rules

No separate RSO statutory category, but sex offences involving minors will almost certainly trigger mandatory refusal (serious harm or 12+ month sentence).
Passport identifier (IML) will be seen by UK Border Force — known to deny entry based on identifier even where formal statutory bar may be uncertain.
UK has its own Sex Offenders Register (Sexual Offences Act 2003). Foreign RSO notifications received through international cooperation.
UK is known to deny entry to RSOs upon IML notification.

IML notice

21-day advance notice applies for covered registered persons.

Yes — 21-day advance notice required for covered registered persons (sex offenses against minors). U.S. law obligation; CBP/Angel Watch Center notifies destination country.

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