Countries That Don't Allow Felons to Enter

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In America, having a felony conviction impedes your right to do several things. You're no longer allowed to vote, you can't own a gun, and unfortunately, you won't be able to visit some of the countries that may have been on your bucket list. Not all hope is lost though; out of 195 recognized countries, only 37 are off-limits for American citizens. Here is a list of the countries that don't allow felons to enter.

• Argentina - refused upon arrival

• Australia - refused upon arrival

• Brazil - refused if charges are discovered

• Cambodia - refused if charges are discovered

• Canada - refused upon arrival

• Chile - refused if charges are discovered

• China - refused upon arrival

• Cuba - refused upon arrival

• Dominican Republic - refused if charges are discovered

• Egypt - refused if charges are discovered

• Ethiopia - refused if charges are discovered

• Hong Kong - refused if charges are discovered

• India - refused upon arrival

• Indonesia - refused if charges are discovered

• Iran - refused upon arrival

• Ireland - refused if charges are discovered

• Israel - refused upon arrival

• Japan - refused upon arrival

• Kenya - refused upon arrival

• Macau - refused upon arrival

• Malaysia - refused if charges are discovered

• Mexico - refused if charges are discovered

• Morocco - refused if charges are discovered

• Nepal - refused if charges are discovered

• New Zealand - refused upon arrival

• Peru - refused if charges are discovered

• Philippines - refused if charges are discovered

• Singapore - refused if charges are discovered

• South Africa - refused upon arrival

• South Korea - refused if charges are discovered

• Taiwan - refused upon arrival

• Tanzania - refused if charges are discovered

• Tunisia - refused if charges are discovered

• Turkey - refused if charges are discovered

• Ukraine - refused if charges are discovered

• United Arab Emirates - refused if charges are discovered

• United Kingdom - refused upon arrival

Exploring Your Options

Though it can definitely be discouraging to hear you can't visit a place you've always wanted to go, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of other potential vacation spots. Here are some replacements to suit any interest.

• History Fanatics

Thankfully, history fanatics shouldn't have any problem finding interesting places to explore. As long as you're not on probation, Italy will accept you with open arms. Italy gives you the chance to marvel at renaissance paintings in Florence and stunning archeological sites in Rome. Another option is Greece, which is partially known for its vast ruins, including the Parthenon in Athens.

• Nature Lovers

Greece is once again a notable entry in this category. Odds are, if you've been on the internet at all, you've seen photos of stunning Santorini. Its picturesque blue and white buildings can be recognized from any postcard. You should also consider Iceland, home of geysers, volcanoes, and national parks.

• Beach Bums

Some of the best options for beach-loving felons are right inside the United States. On the west coast, San Diego has an amazing climate and more than 70 miles of beaches. In the southeast, you have South Beach in Miami - though be careful, it's easy to get in trouble here. If the continental US is not your style, the Bahamas will accept felons not currently on probation.

• Cruise Fans

Many cruise lines, such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean, will allow felons to cruise, so long as their destination isn't one on the prohibited list above. The only stipulation is that your charges aren't violent or sexual in nature.

As you can see, a felony charge doesn't stop you from seeing a great deal of the world. That enables you to make the most of a bad situation and travel regardless of your past mistakes.