US Visa Appointment

Tululla

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone had applied for a US visa with a spent conviction and managed to successfully get their visa approved with no delay having booked an appointment with a regular visa official, rather than the Visa Coordination Officer (which the US Embassy website recommends you book an appointment with if you have been arrested/have a conviction). I would book an appointment with the Visa Coordination Officer but appointments in Belfast and London are in short supply so the earliest appointment I can get is a month after my scheduled departure date. I figure that as the offence was 11 years ago and minor, the case should be very straightforward and take no extra time at all.

I have done a lot of research on this but any advice from someone who has experienced this process would be appreciated.

dzug1

Tululla wrote: »

I figure that as the offence was 11 years ago and minor, the case should be very straightforward and take no extra time at all.

I believe 15 years is the limit beyond which you can be reasonably certain that the US will ignore the offence. A lesser period is possible but not guaranteed.

And the US may have differing views to yours on what is 'minor'.

Tululla

Thanks dzug1.

I should add - I have checked the classes of people ineligible to have a visa under US law and I would not be ineligible because the offence was a one-off, committed under the age of 16, for which there was no custodial sentence. So do you still think "additional administrative processing" will be required, warranting an appointment with a Visa Coordination Officer?

lemontart

I feel it would be best to assume there is a risk ans see what happens.

Tululla

If there was an earlier appointment to see the Visa Coordination Officer I would definitely book it but the only reason I'm wiling to take a gamble is because of the tight deadline.

Has anyone been to see a Visa Coordination Officer and found that they probably could have just seen a regular officer?

dzug1

Tululla wrote: »

Thanks dzug1.

I should add - I have checked the classes of people ineligible to have a visa under US law and I would not be ineligible because the offence was a one-off, committed under the age of 16, for which there was no custodial sentence. So do you still think "additional administrative processing" will be required, warranting an appointment with a Visa Coordination Officer?

My view is that you are eligible for a visa waiver and do not need to apply for a visa at all.

Juvenile delinquency is not regarded as moral turpitude - unless still a juvenile - and can be ignored. You can truthfully tick the 'no' box on the form.

If you do apply a visa it should be granted automatically. Basically the Embassy are charging you $131 to decide that you don't fall under the moral turpitude heading which you could legitimately have decided for yourself.

I'm assuming that a regular visa officer has the power to decide such things - I've no idea if he has or not.

Tululla

You've made me feel a whole lot better, thanks. I just keep worrying about the whole thing!

hammy_the_hammer

i would also have no trouble ticking the NO box on the VWP.
have you contacted the Embassy already and given them any details ?

Tululla

The thing is, I have to go to the states for work so I can't really tick the VWP form, I will need to get a visa and the question on the visa form is have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime. There is no question on moral turpitude at all. However, this then makes me wonder - if I get the visa, and have declared my arrest/conviction, would I then not be able to travel on the VWP in the future once my work visa expires??

Steve1981

for a stupid event about 6 years ago I had to get a visa to go to the US (arrested for being drunk) Had to travel down to london and cue up outside in the snow, when called through the area to be screened before entering the building they wanted me to take my shoes off and stand in the snow in my socks (people were actually agreeing to this) I refused and the officer (who was holding a gun) said I would not be admitted. It was all a bit stupid and you could tell that he was using his position of authority to belittle people, thankfully they have an English police officer working on the gate too, he came over and just waved me through and said 'I dont blame you I wouldn't have taken my shoes off either'. Once inside there was an alarm that kept going off every 5 or 10 minutes. you have to go through 2 further screening processes then you get to a screen where a chap asks you some questions about the reasons for your visit and length of stay and how you plan to fund your stay in the country. then you HAVE to get the documents sent back to you via a courier service (that really made me mad as they have courier desk in the embassy and you would have to pay whatever they choose to set the price at) The visa lasts for 10 years, and if your current passport runs out before the visa expires you would just take the old and new passport with you.

Tululla

Thanks for your insight Steve but did you see a regular visa officer or a Visa Coordination Officer, which you apparently have to request if you have been arrested/convicted? Was there any delay in getting your appointment or the visa once you had had the appointment?