Holiday in USA if you've been arrested?

teb_2

Partners brother stole something from a store when he was 16. He was arrested and had to go to court where he was admonished as the judge recognised he was only a silly teenager who had made a mistake. He's in his late 40s now and wants to go on holiday to America. He's never been in trouble again for anything but will this be a problem if he goes on holiday?He doesn't know how to find out.

Penny-Pincher!!

He will need to apply for a Visa. Look on the passport website and it explains quite well.

http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/info/important/latest_travel_updates/pages/usa_documents.aspx

PP
xx

mclaren_2

he will need a visa to travel to the usa since he has a record. even if you have a traffic violation you will need a visa and if you have any drugs conviction, you will 9/10 be refused visa

teb_2

mclaren wrote:

he will need a visa to travel to the usa since he has a record. even if you have a traffic violation you will need a visa and if you have any drugs conviction, you will 9/10 be refused visa

I got 3 points on my licence and a £40 fine for speeding about 4 or 5 years ago, so I'd need a visa too? Does that count as a traffic violation?

cmjohnson_86

Dont think it matters, everyone applys for a visa upon entry to the USA. My dad had sevral driving offences and been arrested for fighting before. We never had any troubles getting in. The last time he went to the USA was 2 years ago. You usually get your visa/green cards whislt on the plane.

mclaren_2

teb wrote:

I got 3 points on my licence and a £40 fine for speeding about 4 or 5 years ago, so I'd need a visa too? Does that count as a traffic violation?

I think so, according to the US Embassy website, if you have any criminal conviction including traffic violations, then you will need to apply for a visa. You don't have nay points now though as points only last a max of 3 years i think.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html

I think the best way would be for you to contact the Embassy in london and ask them.

Now, i do not know if the traffic violations are for worldwide OR if infact it is just for the USA - this is why i would reccomend you contact the US EMbasy

mclaren_2

cmjohnson_86 wrote:

Dont think it matters, everyone applys for a visa upon entry to the USA

This has changed now with the visa wavier program

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/vwp.html

basicly, if you have a record, then you need a visa, but if you do not have any record then you dont need any visa and you are free to get in to the usa on the vwp

Penny-Pincher!!

The green form you fill in on the plane is for anyone entering the US on the VisaWaiver programme (and is NOT a visa).....if you have been arrested (even if not convicted) you need to go to the Embassy and get a visa well before leaving to travel to the US!

PP
xx

Penny-Pincher!!

I know a few people whom have travelled recently to the US and 2 had convictions from a few years ago. They didnt get a visa and got in no problem. I personally couldnt do this as I would be too frightened of being sent back to the UK and never being able to go to the US again...ever!! It is of course also a criminal offence by not admitting a criminal record.

Everyone is finger printed on entry to the US now and a photo taken, these are matched worldwide to other goverment records.

PP
xx

comping_cat

If in doubt, apply for a visa before you go, i went to the states in June, and the queue i was in went down really quickly (i was expecting a long wait) because people in front of me hadnt filled in their green/white forms properly!!! The customs operator actually commented to me about it. If they are that strict on those forms, you dont want to risk getting there and finding they arnt happy with your speeding points (or spent conviction)

teb_2

Ta for advice and links. Looks like he's going to have to travel to London to apply for the visa as it says something about having an interview.

Will phone their flipping expensive phone line tomorrow.

Last question...how long does the visa last for? He doesn't think he'll be going till maybe Easter. Will it cover all future trips or do you have to re-apply for each trip?