Ja Rule “Devastated” He Was Denied Entry Into UK Over Criminal Record

Ja Rule is “devastated” that he isn’t allowed to perform in the United Kingdom over his past criminal record. On Tuesday (Feb. 27), Rule took to X/Twitter to vent his frustrations. He explained to his fans that he was gearing up to perform in the UK but was denied entry at the last minute. He claimed that he spent his money to put together his tour and that the denial “wasn’t fair” to him or his fans.

“I’m so devastated,” he typed. “I can’t believe the UK won’t let me in. I’ve spent a half million dollars in production of my own money to put this tour together only to be denied entry DAYS before my shows this is not fair to me or my fans these venues are 85% sold and now I can’t come.”

He then followed up by calling out the United Kingdom for their practices. The Queens emcee stated that he talked out everything with the promoters across the pond. They reassured him that his past issues wouldn’t be a factor. But the country still brought up his criminal history to deny him entry.

“The UK is one of the few European countries that restricts entry to people with criminal records. In general, you will likely be denied entry if you have been convicted of a crime punishable by 23 months or more under British law or served more than 12 months in prison,” he added.

“My team made it CLEAR to the promoter that I have a criminal record and can’t get in the country…The PROMOTER swore this wouldn’t be an issue The PROMOTER started selling tickets y’all love to blame the artist lol… GET YOUR REFUNDS!!!”

According to Etias, felons who are traveling to European countries allegedly face “lesser trouble” than when traveling to North American countries. However, the organization asserts that some European countries have stricter rules. One of those countries is the United Kingdom.

“The United Kingdom Visa and Immigration policy has strict character concerns but makes provision for ‘spent convictions.’ A conviction is spent if the prison sentence (6 to 30 months) was completed more than ten years before the time of visa application,” the site reads. “The ten years is known as a ‘rehabilitation period.’ Sentences above 30 months cannot be spent, and you will be denied entry.”

Ja Rule was set to perform at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England on March 6 as a part of The Sunrise Tour. The flyer states that the show, which features Keri Hilson, Lloyd and Mya, was scheduled to hit the UK and Ireland. However, it doesn’t look like Ja will be able to attend.

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