Can I Travel on a Fraud Conviction?

[luvmyson]

Please don't judge me, I am NOT a criminal, I just committed a crime of printing off and using vouchers in a fraudulent manner in order to provide for my child for things I could not afford. I regret what I did and gave myself in to the company and after a couple weeks they decided to convict me for what I had done to the business. I am a young woman and now hold 2 Fraud convictions of which I stated above from the mistakes I had knowingly made. I am now wanting to work in the Tourism/Travel Industry but am afraid that these convictions will hold me back from 1) The Career and 2) The Travelling...will these Fraud Convictions stop me from holidaying in Europe/Africa/Asia/South America??? Thanks.

[Dee Sa]

what passport do you hold ? if its British you will be okay for all countries except USA where you will need to apply for a visa which can take up to six months.
You will probably have to declare these convictions on your job application, especially if you are going to handle money.

[dzug]

Sorry you ARE a criminal - a minor, even trivial, one maybe but don't try fooling yourself. That's not judging you - it's a fact.

The USA is the only country that will be concerned about your record - at least as a tourist. Other countries might have concerns if you apply for a visa to work there, as you might need to in the travel trade, but not for a short term holiday visit.

[VHG]

I recently started to do some volunteer work for a charity, and before I could start they did a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check on me.

Now I am not sure if ALL companies do this, but if they do I would guess your convictions will come up, and it may well stop you getting a job.

Because travel and tourism does involve working with children they may well insist on a CRB check before taking you on.

When applying for a job you could leave out any mention of the convictions and hope they DONT do a check, and DONT ever find out.

But if they DO ever find out you are likely to get the sack.

Maybe a bit harsh, but unfortunately fraud can cover a lot of things and many companies may not want to risk it, particularly in the travel and tourism industry.

More on CRB here

http://www.crb.gov.uk/

[bobs1975]

Unfortunately the USA will judge you and harshly with a conviction for fraud - Its considered a crime involving moral turpitude which is a crime involving evil intent. Which sounds about right.

[Buenchico]

Any EU passport holder is free to travel to, live in and work in any other EU country. (There are a few restrictions relating to citizens of some newer member states but they're not relevant here). Criminal convictions don't create a bar to you going anywhere within the EU.

Most countries outside of the EU either don't require UK tourists to obtain a visa or don't ask any questions about criminal convictions when you apply for one. So (as long as you're travelling as a tourist) you'll have no problems entering most countries. Canada theoretically bars anyone with a criminal conviction who has not sought, and obtained, 'rehabilitation' from the Canadian authorities. In practice there are no checks on UK tourists. Australia asks about criminal convictions but doesn't check on people entering as tourists. Only the USA makes life exceptionally difficult for tourists with criminal convictions. (Theoretically they've got no access to UK criminal records but nobody knows exactly what is passed on under the pretext of 'security').

However, if you were to travel abroad (other than within the EU) as part of your job, you might need a business visa. Some countries place extra checks on people seeking such visas.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act doesn't apply to matters covered by the laws of other countries (such as visa applications and immigration procedures). However it does apply to UK employment applications:
http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/rehabact.htm

Chris

[Buenchico]

Also . .

Further to VHG's post on CRB checks:

At present all CRB checks (both 'standard' and 'enhanced') show all convictions (even those which are normally regarded as 'spent'). Politicians, and the CRB, have recognised that this operates against the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. So the CRB is currently working upon the introduction of a 'basic' CRB check, which employers can use but which won't show spent convictions).

As VHG states, if you lie on an employment application you risk being sacked. You also risk being prosecuted, under the Fraud Act 2006, for fraud by false representation.

Chris

[luvmyson]

Sorry I forgot to mention I am a New Zealander and only hold a New Zealand Passport. Thanks.

[dzug]

Don't think the NZ passport makes a lot of difference - if any. The same principles apply.

[Angry_Kid]

I feel your pain. I'm 23 now and have had a fraud conviction to my name since I was 16/17. It was for an innocent £2.27 on a friends debit card for 10 cigarettes, which I had permission for. After falling out over a completely unrelated incident she decided to take her bank statement and my name to the police! I had never been in trouble before and was suddenly being charged with theft of a bank card and fraud. Being young and naive I took my solicitor's advice to plead guilty so that the court would drop the theft charge and ended up with my name in the local paper, no job and a horrible fraud conviction on my record that will follow me about! I have never felt so shafted in my life, at 16 the courts took the decision to ruin my entire future over £2.27 and bad legal advice. I'm now trying to apply for a job that involves handling personal details and I am terrified that I won't get it. I also had to miss out on a family holiday to New York last year because my parents were terrified that I would get sent back at the airport! I have to know how long before this conviction is considered spent, if at all as it is ruining my life. I have no faith in the UK legal system at all and I hate the people who thought it was fine to destroy my future at 16/17 due to lazyness/bitterness and just down right stupidity!