American Vias

loonygooner

I am due to go to the USA in Aug 2009 with my family and have found out that I need to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa.
I have a drink driving conviction (1983) and also a Police Caution (2007) for shoplifting although I understand that I have a PNC number on my Police Record.
I have applied for a Visa and have a interview in March, I have also applied to the Police for a copy of my Police Record as that is required for the interview.
Does anyone have any dealings with applying for a Visa, whether good or bad?
Does a 'Caution' count against me when applying as I am so scared that they will not grant one as my family have paid so much towards all this. I have been to USA on approx 6 times during the past 20 years and never had any problems but the "Caution" is scaring the pants off me.
Any help appreciated

dzug1

If you are applying for a visa now, why did you not do so on the 6 other occasions? Nothing has really changed. Or were they prior to 2007?

The caution will count against you - it's effectively a conviction for theft, a crime of moral turpitude. I don't know how much it will affect your application, but technically you are not eligible for a visa. They do have ways round this (waiver of ineligibility) so all is not lost.

It's too late now, but the visa waiver/ESTA route would have worked. The USA authorities would not have known of your conviction unless you told them - but they do now.

loonygooner

dzug1 wrote: »

If you are applying for a visa now, why did you not do so on the 6 other occasions? Nothing has really changed. Or were they prior to 2007?

The caution will count against you - it's effectively a conviction for theft, a crime of moral turpitude. I don't know how much it will affect your application, but technically you are not eligible for a visa. They do have ways round this (waiver of ineligibility) so all is not lost.

It's too late now, but the visa waiver/ESTA route would have worked. The USA authorities would not have known of your conviction unless you told them - but they do now.

Yes, think I knew thatI could have blagged it but I am trying to be honest with it all and realise that it may cost me now. I did the shoplifting when my wife was going through post natal depression after the birth of our girls and have ben informed by a psychiatrist who assessed me after that it was a cry for help.
I know this won't help my case but I am not a dishonest person I believe, just been hit my personal circumstances and it seems that the whole family may suffer due to it

All previous visits were prior to the charge in 2007.

dzug1

loonygooner wrote: »

All previous visits were prior to the charge in 2007.

Well at least you won't have the added disadvantage of having lied before (drink driving is not normally moral turpitude)

sturll

The American authorities have no way of checking your background.

Tick no, smile and walk right in.

loonygooner

sturll wrote: »

The American authorities have no way of checking your background.

Tick no, smile and walk right in.

But that would be dishonest and despite what I did, I am not a dishonest person and have a belief that (I hope) the authorities will see through what was a bad period in my (and my wife's) life.

I realise that I could have done that and probably got away with it but I need to believe that the honest way will be the best, I just hope that I am right.

Does anyone have any information concerning the Embassy as I believe that I turn up and 09:30 and they can see me at any time during the day, the time is pot luck.

HGLTsuperstar

Other option - wait until 5 years have passed, get caution stepped down and then go.
Not helpful for this trip granted.

sturll

loonygooner wrote: »

But that would be dishonest and despite what I did, I am not a dishonest person and have a belief that (I hope) the authorities will see through what was a bad period in my (and my wife's) life.

I realise that I could have done that and probably got away with it but I need to believe that the honest way will be the best, I just hope that I am right.

Does anyone have any information concerning the Embassy as I believe that I turn up and 09:30 and they can see me at any time during the day, the time is pot luck.

Edited for accuracy.

dmg24

sturll wrote: »

Theft Act 1968 S.1

"A person is guilty of theft, if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it".

You are by definition a dishonest person.

Not nice sturll, not nice at all. I can't believe that there is one of us that has not been dishonest at some point - that does not make us inherently dishonest.

loonygooner, good on you for facing up to what you have done. Nobody knows what would happen if you tried to enter the US without declaring your previous caution, but I think you are being responsible in eliminating that risk.

More information on visa applications here.

loonygooner

sturll wrote: »

Theft Act 1968 S.1

"A person is guilty of theft, if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it".

You are by definition a dishonest person.

Thanks for the obvious words and I do realise that one occurance has left me with that distinction and I will live with that guilt for the rest of my life.
I am sure that your 'kind' words mean that you have never had the painful experience of living with a person you love so much, suffering and having 14 months without a full nights sleep, looking after 2x year old girls and 1 x 2 year old boy and also have to hold down a job as my wife could not work.

Dishonest? I know I have let myself down but surely you advice to "Tick no, smile and walk right in.", is advising me to be dishonest....think about it!

loonygooner

dmg24 wrote: »

Not nice sturll, not nice at all. I can't believe that there is one of us that has not been dishonest at some point - that does not make us inherently dishonest.

loonygooner, good on you for facing up to what you have done. Nobody knows what would happen if you tried to enter the US without declaring your previous caution, but I think you are being responsible in eliminating that risk.

More information on visa applications here.

Thanks you for your kind word dmg24, I just hope that that I haven't deprived my children of Mickey Mouse, that would really hurt!!