can you get a visa to visit USA les vagas, if you havea criminal record?
I am 32, when I was 27 I was caught growing canabis and sentanced to cs, the only addtional mark on my record is a fight I was involved in when I was 19 over a girl.
Will I ever be able to visit the USA to play gambling games in les vagas? If so how many years will have to pass before I can go?
Thank you.
bud
buddha01 Sat 29/11/08 22:18
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Another 10 years and you would be fairly certain to get a visa. This is for a residency visa - might be less for a tourist one.
But most people use the visa waiver scheme and tick the 'no' box on the form/ESTA website. If you are not on an Interpol list no0-ne's going to know.
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Question Author
what do you mean visa waiver scheme,
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I doubt it, but do not ring the USA embassy to find out because they will make a note of your name dob etc and it will be in their files forevevr.
Your really missing out on a great fun place, what a shame, but theres not much you can do, we all do daft things when younger. forget the fight its the cannabis that will bar you.
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Fill out the ESTA form on line - it lets you know immediately if you are allowed in - and it is good for 2 years. Takes about a minute to complete. And if you are approved you can go to LV. Everyone has to complete the ESTA as of Jan 12th anyway so you may as well do it now.
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The new ESTA may not let you know immediately - it takes up to 72 hours
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On both the Visa Waiver I-94W Form and the ESTA website you will be asked several questions. The key one you need to think about is this: "Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude?" If you cannot answer No to all the questions on the I-94W or ESTA website you will be told to apply for a visa. In your case your visa application will centre around whether your crime was a crime involving moral turpitude. Some crimes like drink driving, criminal damage, drunk and disorderly, etc are NOT crimes involving moral turpitude and in most cases visa's are granted. Unfortunately for you nearly all crimes involving drugs are crimes involving moral turpitude. I would suggest that this would prevent you from successfully getting a visa. Despite what one poster said earlier this may prevent you for life. The USA does not recognize the UK notion of "Spent" crimes. Some of the previous posters have given you some good advice about contacting the embassy - DON'T. The ESTA form is only a clearance for travel based on the answers you provide. It does not mean automatic entry into the US. You can be turned around at US immigration. The US does not have direct access to the UK police database but the US immigration can request information about anyone. Hope this info helps.
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Despite what one poster said earlier this may prevent you for life
May, yes, but what I said was based on this quote from US immigration regulations:
An immigrant alien who is ineligible under INA 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) is eligible to apply for a waiver of ineligibility under INA 212(h) (see also 9 FAM 40.21(a) PN2) if it is established to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) that:
(1) The activities for which the alien is excludable occurred more than 15 years before the date of the alien’s application for visa;
(2) The alien’s admission to the United States would not be contrary to the national welfare, safety, or security, and
(3) The alien has been rehabilitated.
So it's perfectly possible to be rehabilitated - but you have to show it, not be entitled to not disclose the crime.
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Those of you who know visa waiver better than I do, is there an actual form you have to fill in? Only the only one I had to fill in was a green one on the plane that I had to hand in at immigration/passport control. Would that have been it?
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That green form is the visa waiver application form.
However as of early next year you have to fill it in online at least 72 hours before departure.
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Dzug - looks like all hope is not lost for the poster then. I have seen US immigration lawyers state that drug offenses mean a lifetime ban but I see your point.
Amy Winehouse was denied a visa for a drugs caution / conviction (she signed a piece of paper written in Norwegian admitting guilt) and subsequently granted a visa on appeal after spending thousands on immigration lawyers.
Poster might have to delay spending loads in casino's instead employing a US immigration lawyer.
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Well no he lies on the visa waiver form/site and gets in no problems.
Not that I'd recommend lying.
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Question Author
I think in my case, I am a professional IT person, I dont drink or smoke, I like poker and am not a degenerate, Id like to think I could attend les vagas perhaps with famliy to play in the wsop, I grew plants some 7 years ago now, perhaps in 3 years or so I can give it a try. I think we all need to respect the visa form and the questions, the only answers that i would give would be honest ones.
thanks every one for your answers, gl and gl usa.
bud
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When you eventually do apply, allow PLENTY of time - that 'waiver of ineligibility' can take months to get
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