help needed - traveling to us with criminal record

kazprincess

Thank you for everyones posts and advice, I really aprechaite it. We have decided to book an interview and get a visa. I will also be telling them how rubbish the ESTA form is if we have to apply for a visa regardless of crime!! They probably won't listen, but il feel better saying my bit!
Thanks everyone

Murphy_The_Cat

kazprincess wrote: »

Thank you for everyones posts and advice, I really aprechaite it. We have decided to book an interview and get a visa. I will also be telling them how rubbish the ESTA form is if we have to apply for a visa regardless of crime!! They probably won't listen, but il feel better saying my bit!
Thanks everyone

good luck kazprincess
its going to cost you a few ££ and may be a bit of a PITA, but at least you'll get a definitive answer at the end of your visit.

cubegame

Good that you've resolved your angst.

I was going to post a link to the following page on the US Embassy website which does show that would not be eligible for the VWP.

http://london.usembassy.gov/root/visa-wizard/pages/index.html

terribleapp

cubegame wrote: »

Good that you've resolved your angst.

I was going to post a link to the following page on the US Embassy website which does show that would not be eligible for the VWP......

Don't pay any attention to that website, its incorrect. The question on ESTA is VERY specific regarding this, and the above website is VERY wrong.

Depending of the circumstances of the assault, it could be very easy to convince POI that its not a CiMT.

sarahlasvegas wrote: »

if you have ever been arrested it has to be refered for a VISA - this was from the embassy line. - which is about £2 a min

Again, misinformation from the embassy.

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

No, I remember them telling me that had he disclosed it he would have been allowed in.It was the non-disclosure that made them refuse entry.

Its the easiest way to get someone refused, catch them in a lie.

hutchy78

Hi im in the same situation, im goin to Florida for 4 weeks in may,
Last june me and my partner and a few other ppl was in the wrong place at the wrong time and were both arrested for suspicion of attempted murder, we have never been in trouble with the police before, it was really upsetting and still dont know the full story as to what happened, to cut a long story short we was charged but never convicted (other ppl were convicted), the police dragged us through hell and we now have a case against them at the high court:j!
Today i decided to apply for the ESTAS online and one of the questions does ask if you have been arrested, ive decided not to take the chance and apply for a visa even if it means driving from manchester to London and paying £60, its not worth the chance!

moneylover

expect the planes would be half empty to USA if everyone told the truth. I have read time and time again on forums, and often stated by police officers, that the USA has no access to the standard criminal records on the Police National Computer. I know 2 people who have criminal convictions for shoplifting when younger who travel in and out of the USA regularly with no problems whatsoever. Everyone has to make up their own mind but remembering that once you have gone with 'non disclosure' you cannot backtrack.

spiro

Look at this link, it appears to be a USA legal website with definitions: http://definitions.uslegal.com/m/moral-turpitude/

It says "However, assaults not involving dangerous weapons or evil intent have been held not to involve moral turpitude."

This link appears even better as it is from US Government Visa Manual. It clearly divides the various categories of assault.

https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/86942.pdf

Reading this document, until 1981 adultery counted as Moral Turpitude.

stoneman

Just dont mention it. They have no way of knowing if you have a conviction or not. The U.S. Immigration authorities have no access to the police data base in this country. The data protection act protects you against this. The 2 countries only exchange information on things that might effect national security.

martindow

stoneman wrote: »

Just dont mention it. They have no way of knowing if you have a conviction or not. The U.S. Immigration authorities have no access to the police data base in this country. The data protection act protects you against this. The 2 countries only exchange information on things that might effect national security.

The trouble is that 'national security' can be as broad as they choose to define it. There is really no knowing what information is being shared. I suspect more is travelling westwards than eastwards!

littlereddevil

Totally agree on that