US visa crminal record

WHATAGOAL1

I have been looking to get a visa for florida, have looked at the us embassy website, but it is a bit confusing, could anyone explain the procedure in 5 easy steps, bearing in mind I have criminal record.
thank you

gh66

WHATAGOAL1 wrote: »

I have been looking to get a visa for florida, have looked at the us embassy website, but it is a bit confusing, could anyone explain the procedure in 5 easy steps, bearing in mind I have criminal record.
thank you

Everything you need to know is on this one page.

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/b2.html

Basically you ring 09042 450100 and book an appointment at the US Embassy in London. Be aware that calls are charged at £1.20 a minute and there is no other way of booking it. The visa itself will cost you $100.

Gill

Heva2015

Now, whilst the official line is no criminal records I haven't actually heard of anyone that has been turned away. I know people probably do though!

Donnie

The 'official line' is for the 'visa waiver' program. Crims have to get a visa.

Oh wait...what's this? No Visa Waiver for

These include people who have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction

What a load...

Heva2015

I know that but all I am saying is that I haven't ever heard of anyone who has been arrested being turned away under the Visa Waiver.

magic_pants

WHATAGOAL1 wrote: »

I have been looking to get a visa for florida, have looked at the us embassy website, but it is a bit confusing, could anyone explain the procedure in 5 easy steps, bearing in mind I have criminal record.
thank you

to be honest I've been to the States literally 50 or so times and I have NEVER declared my criminal record. Sure, it's very very minor and over 25 years ago but I work on the principal of "what the hell has it got to do with you". I've never had a problem.

Donnie

That's great...otherwise I may have felt that I needed to declare killing that American for his annoying accent and superficial manner.
I was arrested, but acquitted of all charges, as it was judged as justifiable homicide.

I feel better now.

gh66

Heva2015 wrote: »

I know that but all I am saying is that I haven't ever heard of anyone who has been arrested being turned away under the Visa Waiver.

They rely totally on the traveller being honest so if you don't tick 'yes' to the criminal record they will never know any different.

However... only do this if you are absolutely 100% certain that you will never, ever want to live or work in the US. That's when it will come back to bite you on the @rse.

Bokkens

Why does it not surprise me people with a criminal record advocating lying and cheating their way to a visa or entry to the states!

Voyager2002

gh66 wrote: »

They rely totally on the traveller being honest so if you don't tick 'yes' to the criminal record they will know any different.

However... only do this if you are absolutely 100% certain that you will never, ever want to live or work in the US. That's when it will come back to bite you on the @rse.

Not quite true: there is a degree of data-sharing, but you would need to be very unlucky, or act stupidly and attract attention, to get caught. However, if you lie to get in and then ANYTHING goes wrong, you could end up in a situation where questions get answered, and then you would be in serious trouble for lying.

Basically, they don't want you there. So why not make life simple for everyone and go to Canada instead. The Canadian Rockies are at least as majestic as those in the USA; the cities are better organised; the people just as friendly and rather better at making intelligent conversation...

dzug

Voyager2002 wrote: »

So why not make life simple for everyone and go to Canada instead. The Canadian Rockies are at least as majestic as those in the USA; the cities are better organised; the people just as friendly and rather better at making intelligent conversation...

Umm the Canadians have very similar criminal record requirements to the USA - but they don't make you fill in a form on arrival saying whether or not you have a record, so no-one ever knows.

In fact if you have a recent drink driving conviction you cannot legally enter Canada - in the USA it's not regarded as 'moral turpitude' so doesn't debar you from a visa waiver.