Denied my tourist visa for the USA

mad_rich

sturll wrote: »

Hundreds of thousands of posts all diminished to nothing in a couple of sentences.

It's not diminishing them to nothing in one post, and I hope it didn't come across that way. There is a wealth of useful information given by some incredibly helpful and knowledgeable posters. I'm just pointing out that because its an anonymous forum, it's all to easy to post some well-meaning comment without knowing or even particularly caring about the consequences.

Giving advice about cheap flights or currency conversion is one thing. But recommending that people lie to US immigration officials is a bit of a step up. Particularly when none of us know the full story. (Witness the post after stoneman's, where it is revealed that crazyangel plans to marry and live in the USA... )

mrtg0525

crazyangel wrote: »

The reason I did tell them was because i have a fiancee in california and we are going to apply for the fiancee visa after xmas for me to go and live there and then it could have been held against me for not declaring my convictions ,i never told the immigration this incase if could jeapodise myself even more and they could think i may not return to the UK after my visit.

But i was always told that there is going to be new border controls before stepping on the plane in the uk where they can check for convictions .

I would suggest you did the right thing here even if it's causing you problems at the moment. US immigrations isn't exactly known for their sense of humour and if it turns out that you entered the country under the VWP even if you shouldn't have, this might cause problems down the line. That said, it's back to the old 'moral turpitude' question that has been discussed a few times here so you might have been OK even without the visa.

As to the bit regarding convincing them that you will return (if they're asking why you're visiting etc), obviously a paid-for return ticket helps. The usual advice on forums like britishexpats.com is that you take as much documentation as possible to convince them that you've got good reasons to go back. Stuff like employment contracts, rental agreements etc helps...

If you're looking into a fiancee or or type visa, it may well be worth either talking to a immigration lawyer (I can recommend someone in San Franciso who we are using - we're already married and trying to get a green card for me) who can outline the options you have with costs and associated timescales. You might find that the fiance (K-whatever) visa might not be the best option for your circumstance. That said, you will find plenty of advice on the forum I mentioned above.

Amba_Gambla

In the years since 9/11, US INS have become a lot stricter on entry to the US. In the last 12 months or so, they have become even more strict on entry. People who would have previously been allowed are now being turned away.

I'm not sure how much the new information (registering 3 weeks before travel) is going to affect anything, as I'm not sure how much info they'll be able to access.
When I travelled last week I noticed that nowhere on the visa waiver form did it ask if I had a criminal record......

sturll

Amba_Gambla wrote: »

In the years since 9/11, US INS have become a lot stricter on entry to the US. In the last 12 months or so, they have become even more strict on entry. People who would have previously been allowed are now being turned away.

I'm not sure how much the new information (registering 3 weeks before travel) is going to affect anything, as I'm not sure how much info they'll be able to access.
When I travelled last week I noticed that nowhere on the visa waiver form did it ask if I had a criminal record......

But you will have noticed it asked if you had ever been charged with a crime of moral turptitude.

The fact of the matter is that the UK govt does not share criminal info except that covered in the terrorism act and child safety act. So to cut a huuuuuuge story short if you dont tell them they have no way of knowing.

_Andy_

williamrobb88 wrote: »

(Yes, it's all one sentence, which should be seperated by a comma after the the word 'letter' you imbacile).

If you're being pedantic, that should be 'imbecile' not 'imbacile'.

movilogo

To OP
Are you a British citizen? Then why do you need a visa for USA?

coolio_2

jscalow wrote: »

why did you bother to tell them? there is nothing on your pp to indicate that you were involved 19 yrs ago, they would have never known. the only way you can enter the states is thru Canada, but this can be tricky if you are caught, although i have friends who do this regulary.

How can you do this? When I travel across the land border I have to fill out the green card, they take my prints, and ask me all these questions?

Mind you, I have never been arrested and am legitimately visiting the US

coolio_2

movilogo wrote: »

To OP
Are you a British citizen? Then why do you need a visa for USA?

Because the visa waiver form asks if you have ever been arrested. If you have, then you may not be granted and need to apply for a visa.

crazyangel_2

movilogo wrote: »

To OP
Are you a British citizen? Then why do you need a visa for USA?

Yes I'm a british citizen but I dont qualify for the visa waiver as I have a criminal record,so therefore i need a visa to travel and to eventually live.

Nobjocki

crazyangel wrote: »

Yes I'm a british citizen but I dont qualify for the visa waiver as I have a criminal record,so therefore i need a visa to travel and to eventually live.

US Immigration authorities do not have direct access to the database of criminal offenders in the UK.
However, common sense would suggest they do have a list of people on their point-of-entry computers whose profile would warrant further questioning.
Getting involved in a bit of handbags at throwing-out time in the Dog and Strumpet 20 years ago does not get you on that list.
It really is as simple as that.