Visa ESTA, visa waiver application

Mrmissy

Hi all, hope someone can advise me. Me and my mom want tto visit my aunty in Wisconsin.
I believe we need apply for a visa waiver, but years ago my mom was arrested as her friend she was wit was sstealing. It went to ccourt so 28years later it will sstill be on record.
How do I declare it? I don't understand if we need to?
I want to be totally honest so does she need to apply ffor a different visa?
Sorry, my phone playing up.
Thanks so much to aanyone that helps x

mgdavid

you can apply for an ESTA (visa replacement scheme).
Your mother needs to provide more detail - what was she charged with, and was she found guilty? Then either come back here or read on the website
http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/add_crime.html
and she will need to follow the process, furnish documents and book an interview.

Voyager2002

Most British people would use a 'visa waiver' for a holiday: they are excused the need for a visa and all that they need to do is obtain an electronic authorisation called an ESTA (this costs about ten pounds). However, anyone who has ever been arrested for a "crime involving moral turpitude" has to obtain a visa, a process that takes many months; is expensive; and involves a visit to a US consular office in London or Belfast.

Since your aunt was once arrested, you will need to look up the definition of "moral turpitude" and decide whether the act of which she was accused falls within that definition (and the fact that she was found 'not guilty' makes no difference). If it was NOT a crime involving moral turpitude then she can answer 'no' to the relevant questions and just get an ESTA. Incidentally, there is no point asking the Embassy since they always tell people to get a visa.