US visa crminal record

alanrowell

Bokkens wrote: »

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!

Some of the people advocating it DON'T have a criminal record - or even arrested

As to why

a) it's a major PITA getting a visa for the US - you have to apply for the form by a very expensive phone call, you have to hand over a large sum of money, you have to attend an interview at the US Embassy (at least one day off work) which in itself can take several weeks to organise, you have to get proof of your criminal record (or lack thereof) even if the crime was 60 years ago and even if you do get a visa there's no guarantee that you'll be allowed into the US as that is at the discretion of the immigration officer

b) it's stupid as unless you !!!! up the VW form or tell the immigration guy that you are a criminal there's no way of the US knowing that you are a criminal

Backbiter

dzug wrote: »

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.

What does moral turpitude actually cover? I've always wondered when filling in the VW form.
And wouldn't an arrest for anything make you theoretically ineligible for the Visa waiver? The conditions on the website state you're ineligible if you've ever been arrested.
I'm not being alarmist - the above advice seems very sensible.

dzug

(Some) Americans get very edgy when asked to define moral turpitude resorting to 'well it's self-evident isn't it?' but have difficulty in elaborating further. If you google you'll find lots of stuff, but basically it's crimes involving dishonesty (theft, fraud, etc) or sex or drugs or serious violence.

The visa waiver form asks if you have ever been arrested or convicted for crimes involving moral turpitude or subject to certain sentences - can't remember the exact wording, but it's not just any old arrest.

The whole thing is a sorry compromise between those elements in US society who want everyone to have a (difficult to get) visa and those in the tourist industry who want to make things easy fror visitors.

Strangled

My friend is going thro the same situation.We're going in 4 weeks time and he got done for fighting 20 years ago.
His 'new' worry is on his renewed passport, its got the chip in the US say you have to have. What does that chip contain ???

pops

Hi Guys

As a matter of coincidence, i've just been to the US embassy yesterday.I used to be a doorman, and have been arrested several times, This was over 5 years ago. Applying for the visa has been the most stressful thing in my life.
I decided to go for the visa instead of the "not declaring route". As i didnt want to let my missus and daughter down. Knowing my luck id probably get pulled up about something.
There are varying views on the matter regarding the US having access to your records etc. I dont believe the chips in the pssports hold any other data other than whats already printed on your passprt.
In the end mate, the choice is yours. I took the honest route.
Despite all the hype surrounding the matter, it wasnt too bad in the end. I was very prepared and was in and out within 45 mins. But there were people that didnt have the correct forms etc, and they did show leniancy. If you need any help, give me a shout.

Thanks

Voyager2002

It amazes me that people go to so much trouble, and take on so much stress, in order to have a holiday in the USA. I mean, there are so many countries in the world, and apart from North Korea and Iran most of them are easier to visit, visa-wise, that the USA. And of the fifty-plus countries I have visited, the USA is certainly in the bottom five for interest and enjoyment.

Basically, if they give you a hard time then go somewhere else!

Strangled

Pops, did you get your visa there and then ? have heard it can take 3 months for it to come thro ?
I'm now worrying about stuff now......if he did get refused entry.....I'd have 2 familys to look after :-(

dzug

Strangled wrote: »

My friend is going thro the same situation.We're going in 4 weeks time and he got done for fighting 20 years ago.
His 'new' worry is on his renewed passport, its got the chip in the US say you have to have. What does that chip contain ???

All the data that the chip contains is also printed in clear on the passport - it is nothing to get paranoia over.

nelly_2

Voyager2002 wrote: »

It amazes me that people go to so much trouble, and take on so much stress, in order to have a holiday in the USA. I mean, there are so many countries in the world, and apart from North Korea and Iran most of them are easier to visit, visa-wise, that the USA. And of the fifty-plus countries I have visited, the USA is certainly in the bottom five for interest and enjoyment.

Basically, if they give you a hard time then go somewhere else!

Have you ever been?

It about the best place to holiday on the planet!

Except history its got everything! they treat you like royalty they pretty much have the best of everything and do it in style too.

The place is brilliant

and China is a bigger pain in the arrse to get in anyway

pops

I didnt get the visa staright away, they tell you whether it has been aproved or not and roughly how long it will take. I got told mine will take 3 to 4 days to come, But i do believe if the case is complicated it could take longer.