ChatterBank1 min ago
Visas/criminal records to USA please help?!
You're meant to apply for a visa to visit USA if you have a criminal record or been arrested EVER. But loads of people are just ticking NO to questions about convictions on the plane, travelling without visa and getting by no problem. However I'm sure with my luck we'd be stopped and that would be the end of our dream Disney holiday before it had begun. I know your criminal record cannot be linked to your passport when it's scanned otherwise all the people with past convictions would not be getting through under the Visa Waiver Programme. Some people apply for the visa and don't get it- or they get it but get refused entry into the US anyway so no wonder people are lying about their criminal records. I have convictions for theft/ breach of peace/no TV license from 16 years ago approx. Partner has 2 thefts/ 2 or 5 breach of peace from 10 years ago and a drink driving from 5 years ago. Does anyone think that one or both of us would be refused a visa and/or entry into the US? I'm worried sick - holiday is already booked and kids are looking forward to it.
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Hi, . Like some guys i liked looking at adult porn, i thought 16+ was ok, its actually 18+, i had 0.5% of my images classed as under 18 (there were 20 images in total), some were said to be under 16 too, but my lawyer said that it was subjective. The police confirmed i never went looking for these images, nor did i frequent those sort of websites either. I picked this images up over time rather than specifically search for them.
I would have got a caution, but the police made a a mistake, initially charging me for a more serious offence, which turned out to be wrong (i didn't argue because i never knew what they were referring too).
The vast majority of the images were of the lowest level (about 75%), the rest were more serious, but because i thought they were ok, i never worried about having them because i thought they were legal in terms of age.
i got a 2 month suspended sentence for one year, a sexual offences prevention order, stops me look at porn on the internet (thats fine, once bitten and all that) i was also on the SOR for 5 years and have to attend a group for a few months.
My probation officer has said i was the least worst case he has come across and thiought my punishment was dispportionally heavy compared to my offense (in my opinion of being ignorant, although i don't and won't use it as an excuse, but hopefully an explanation).
Although i am ashamed about this, I've been open and honest with everyone who has asked me about it.
My conviction was in 2004 and i am thinking of travelling to the US in a few years (by the way, i am married with a 1 year old child), my wife was with me throughout and was very supportive, as were all my friends. I've not been in trouble since and cetainly not looked at porn since either!
I realise that i ought to apply for the visa, but i was wondering if anyone had a view to whether i would actually be allowed a visa
I would have got a caution, but the police made a a mistake, initially charging me for a more serious offence, which turned out to be wrong (i didn't argue because i never knew what they were referring too).
The vast majority of the images were of the lowest level (about 75%), the rest were more serious, but because i thought they were ok, i never worried about having them because i thought they were legal in terms of age.
i got a 2 month suspended sentence for one year, a sexual offences prevention order, stops me look at porn on the internet (thats fine, once bitten and all that) i was also on the SOR for 5 years and have to attend a group for a few months.
My probation officer has said i was the least worst case he has come across and thiought my punishment was dispportionally heavy compared to my offense (in my opinion of being ignorant, although i don't and won't use it as an excuse, but hopefully an explanation).
Although i am ashamed about this, I've been open and honest with everyone who has asked me about it.
My conviction was in 2004 and i am thinking of travelling to the US in a few years (by the way, i am married with a 1 year old child), my wife was with me throughout and was very supportive, as were all my friends. I've not been in trouble since and cetainly not looked at porn since either!
I realise that i ought to apply for the visa, but i was wondering if anyone had a view to whether i would actually be allowed a visa
I visited the USA around 1981 with a visa as I had a criminal conviction and served 8 months in prison way back in 1975 when I was 20 years old (young and daft) I am now 55.
However, I went to the US with my 14 yr old daughter about 12 years for a holiday but didn�t get a visa as I didn�t realise I still needed one 22 years after my conviction, I was sent back on the next plane.
I'm hoping I'll get a visa when I apply soon as I want to visit a friend I know out there.
However, I went to the US with my 14 yr old daughter about 12 years for a holiday but didn�t get a visa as I didn�t realise I still needed one 22 years after my conviction, I was sent back on the next plane.
I'm hoping I'll get a visa when I apply soon as I want to visit a friend I know out there.
The more i read the more i worry.....I have criminal records for ABH and threats to kill ( first offence), and a further for harrassment back in 2007.I was sentenced for 1 year, suspended for 2 years and 2 years probation( all behind me now).... I also have drink drive back in 2002.....Im looking at traveling to NY next summer and i'm not sure the best way to go about it ? should i go the legal route and more than likely be rufused a visa( what are the chances of them giving me one ?)....or just tick no on the visa waiver form on the plane? the conviction sounds worse than it actually was, but aparently i went to far for it to be classed self defence... would like to here from anyone with similar convictions who have managed to get in.
hey, i was at bthe US embassy last week and was granted a visa immidiatly with a drink driving conviction 5 years ago and 3 cautions from 6 years ago, i was however only between 14 and 18 when i got them. There was 20 of us who went in at 8 in the morning and 6 of us left with visa and another 5 had their applications referred to washington. it seemed that custodial offences were treated with the washington treatment. this as you knoiw can take upto 90 days and most of the guys there were leaving for holidays within 60 days. i spoke to one gentlemen who served 4 years in prison 25 years ago and he was refused on the spot! best of luck and that is what it comes down to!!
-- answer removed --
Hi,
I have been to the USA 9 times in the last 7 years, i have a criminal record for theft which goes back 30 years now, i served 6 months in Borstal as a 15 year old but have been a model citizen since then, the 1st few times into the states was easy, i went to Florida in november 2010 the guy looked on the screen asked questions, then walked off and discussed something with another officer, came back and stamped the passport i was in, i went back last week to NYC with some friends as it was one of the parties birthday, i handed over my passport with a polite hello, the guy looked at it then me, scanned it, then asked have you ever been arrested? to which i replied Yes a long time ago, what was it for ? theft i said, what was the sentence? i said 6 months as i didnt think he would know what Borstal was.
He played around with the keyboard, and asked me to put my 1st fingers on the finger print scanner, then he put my passport in a clear envelope and said i would need more questions, and to follow him this i did, was told to take a seat, he past on my passport to another officer, who then passed it onto another,
He sat down and played on his keyboard, he then asked for my ESTA form (which i had completed 2 years ago) it expires next month, i told i didnt have it so he asked if i knew the 16 number to which i said no, but perhaps my partner had it as she had all the documents, travel insurance and such like, it was obviously easier for him to look up using the 16 part numbers to find me, he then called me over and asked if i had ever worked in the USA, to which i said no, i then mentioned that i had been the states just last november and in 2009 on my Esta, to which he replied welcome back and stamped the passport, upon getting up he said the reason for stopping me was due to my surname which is common, and that it flagged up on their system, i am not sure what to make of it as the 1st questioning me about being arrested makes me think they do infac
I have been to the USA 9 times in the last 7 years, i have a criminal record for theft which goes back 30 years now, i served 6 months in Borstal as a 15 year old but have been a model citizen since then, the 1st few times into the states was easy, i went to Florida in november 2010 the guy looked on the screen asked questions, then walked off and discussed something with another officer, came back and stamped the passport i was in, i went back last week to NYC with some friends as it was one of the parties birthday, i handed over my passport with a polite hello, the guy looked at it then me, scanned it, then asked have you ever been arrested? to which i replied Yes a long time ago, what was it for ? theft i said, what was the sentence? i said 6 months as i didnt think he would know what Borstal was.
He played around with the keyboard, and asked me to put my 1st fingers on the finger print scanner, then he put my passport in a clear envelope and said i would need more questions, and to follow him this i did, was told to take a seat, he past on my passport to another officer, who then passed it onto another,
He sat down and played on his keyboard, he then asked for my ESTA form (which i had completed 2 years ago) it expires next month, i told i didnt have it so he asked if i knew the 16 number to which i said no, but perhaps my partner had it as she had all the documents, travel insurance and such like, it was obviously easier for him to look up using the 16 part numbers to find me, he then called me over and asked if i had ever worked in the USA, to which i said no, i then mentioned that i had been the states just last november and in 2009 on my Esta, to which he replied welcome back and stamped the passport, upon getting up he said the reason for stopping me was due to my surname which is common, and that it flagged up on their system, i am not sure what to make of it as the 1st questioning me about being arrested makes me think they do infac
Rest of my reply as it was missing from above
i am not sure what to make of it as the 1st questioning me about being arrested makes me think they do infact have access to all criminal records, To be honest i love visiting the USA its a great country but it has left a sour taste in my mouth as none of the party i was travelling with know of my past records bar my partner, my ESTA runs out soon so will have to reapply as we had planned a florida return in october 2011.
i am not sure what to make of it as the 1st questioning me about being arrested makes me think they do infact have access to all criminal records, To be honest i love visiting the USA its a great country but it has left a sour taste in my mouth as none of the party i was travelling with know of my past records bar my partner, my ESTA runs out soon so will have to reapply as we had planned a florida return in october 2011.
I've been reading this thread with great interest because I have a conviction for cultivation of cannabis 16th Oct 2009, I got sentenced to 27 months and did 10 1/2 jail. This was the first and only time I've been in trouble with the police, and never intend to repeat it. Having been to the States many times in the past, the prospect of never going there again really distresses me.
The last time I was in the States was 2008 18 months before I was convicted, I was finger printed and retina scanned as was everybody else. So it really does concern me whether US emigration a access UK criminal records. Although my conviction will be spent in 10 years, I will be 65 by then. I really would like to holiday in the US before then.
The last time I was in the States was 2008 18 months before I was convicted, I was finger printed and retina scanned as was everybody else. So it really does concern me whether US emigration a access UK criminal records. Although my conviction will be spent in 10 years, I will be 65 by then. I really would like to holiday in the US before then.
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