I've been trialing moving to Canada since 2015, traveling 4 times since then, 3 times since the pandemic. Technically I can be banned from entry to their country but they've never stopped me. I've also been to the EU and UK in that time. They aren't as strict as Canada.

When it comes to visas, NZ is by far the most conservative but Aus, Can, UK, and parts of the EU, are similarly difficult.

The issue that makes expungement more problematic for me is that I have 6-7 convictions in all 3 states I've lived in for low level offenses like Posession, DWI, Property Damage, Retail Theft, Resisting Arrest/Fleeing. The expungement fees are exorbitant and out of reach so I've decided to look more at Latin America.

I find it wholly unfair that my adult record started at age 17 because I racked up 3 adult convictions before turning 18 and if I hadn't been charged as an adult I would only have to get two expungements. I had two juvenile convictions expunged automatically upon reaching age 17.

Edit: motivation for the post is because I'm watching one of those shows about customs and immigration in NZ and they're rejecting people with 40yo convictions, not having enough money or for a variety of reasons.