USA Visa

moneysavingpete

Hi guys,

I am getting married next year and am hoping to honeymoon in USA.

Unfortunately, due to a stupid mistake 8 years ago, I have a criminal record and am therefore not eligible for their VISA waiver programme.

My question is: has anyone else had this issue and what is the procedure that needs to be followed?

A family member is paying for the honeymoon as a wedding present and am reluctant to book until I know that I will be allowed entry.

safesound

What did you do? Are you sure you'll need a visa?

malkie76

wouldn't it make more sense to ask your question to the a US Embassy in the UK ? Try completing the online ESTA as that might give you an early indication

moneysavingpete

safesound wrote: »

What did you do? Are you sure you'll need a visa?

I was given community service for theft. I don't really want to go into huge detail as it was a strict one off which I am not proud of and has affected my life hugely since. I just dont know where to go from here and whether there is a strict yes/no depending on the conviction.

I have family in the USA and wonder whether this could have a positive effect on my application?

moneysavingpete

dinkydog wrote: »

Not good. Theft is a CiMT, and its only been 8 years.

Only option is to apply for the visa. Its more than likely that would be denied, and you would then need to apply for a waiver of inadmissability.

Ok well thanks for the reply. Guess we will be honeymooning at Butlins. Can I apply for a Visa before I have purchased tickets etc?

luci

If you apply for a visa perhaps you should tell them you are going much sooner than you are actually planning to. Someone on another site didn't get their waiver of ineligibility until just a few weeks before they were travelling. I would expect prices to rise nearer the date of departure.

Someone has posted their experience of applying HERE

moneysavingpete

dinkydog wrote: »

Most definately, as you don;t know if you will get one, or how long the process will take.

Apart from hiring a decent immigration attorney to do this, the criteria they look at are

1. The risk of harm to society if the applicant is admitted;
2. The seriousness of the applicant's prior violation(s) of immigration or criminal law, if any; and
3. The nature of the applicant's reasons for seeking entry.

Do a google for INA 212(d)(3) Nonimmigrant Waiver , as thats what you will require if the B2 visa is refused.

Saying that, if you were under 18 at the time, then thats a whole easier option.

If it were Theft in the second degree (less than $250) then its possible petty offenses could kick in, as the maximum jail time is 180 days.

It sounds pretty ominous to me. Perhaps I should just visit a different destination. From what you say it's looking unlikely that a Visa would be issued so probably easier and much less stressful to just go elsewhere

malkie76

dinkydog wrote: »

No.

Yes. My point is perfectly valid.

moneysavingpete

malkie76 wrote: »

Yes. My point is perfectly valid.

Perhapd I should just take my chances and just turn up at the border and hope the person simply stamps my passport at the gate :rotfl:

clarence83_2

Just go somewhere else, there are plenty better places (in my opinion!) ;-)

walkz

I think you would be quite surprised how easy it is to get a visa.

I have a CR and was not expecting to have a hope of being issued one (ive have 5 or 6 offenses dating from 2 years back to 10 years). Yes i got an interrogation but i got issued a tourist visa.

I know alot of people that have been over to Vegas for the boxing without applying and they have all had no problems.
I personally didn't want to chance it, it was a bit of a long drawn out process but worth it in the end.

Id say your 99% likely to get in without one (the US have no access to the criminal record database) but its not worth chancing for a honeymoon