USA travel denied?

gardner1

headpin wrote: »

What makes you believe the US have unfettered access to UK data that may reveal a conviction? They do not as far as I am aware. There is an agreement to share intelligence and other related data on potential terrorists and associated activity. I do not believe that a theft conviction from 30+ years ago falls in to that category.

The US rely on the individual to "own up". And scare stories in forums such as this do nothing to assist the situation. In the vast majority (I would say 99.9%) of individuals having a conviction, especially one spent under UK law, the chance of getting challenged by the US officials are probably no better than winning the lottery. I would always suggest that the risk is worth taking.

its always been the case....tell them nothing

gardner1

Exemplar wrote: »

Anyone here been recently denied access to America?

Because of the recent visa changes I have to declare a criminal conviction from 1986 (when I was 18).

So I have to travel to London to be interviewed by the American embassy 27/01/2016 (my birthday...).

Total cost so far:

£108 for the interview
£45 for my criminal conviction history
£160 for the train

And that's before I find out if I'm allowed in!

Now I have noting against tighter rules. But seriously? I was 18, now i'm 47 (soon to be 48). And I have been Stateside 4 times since (last time 2004 when I gave my iris prints at immigration).

So... my conviction was for theft from employer in 1986. Has anyone had a bad experience? I only ask as I casually know someone that has had a visa denied as they had a drink drive conviction in 2013.

TIA.

A little bit of research on here and google could have saved you a load of grief.......especially as you have previously used the green card

Bond,James_Bond

If you have travelled to the USA on the VWP previously, without declaring a conviction ( even a spent one) you may be refused a visa on the grounds of "misrepresentation".

GwylimT

You needed a visa each time you visited the US, the fact that you have previously lied to gain entry will not be looked at favourably.

My cousin was convicted for fraud as a teen (stealing scratch cards and claiming the winnings), he was refused a visa a few years ago if my somewhat rubbish memory serves me right it was around 2011.

peachyprice

Moto2 wrote: »

Do the US authorities have access to UK criminal history databases for these sort of spent convictions?

I hope not, they rely on the traveller fessing up. Otherwise, the chances of them finding out are very slim.

They have no automatic access to our police databases. They have to have suspicions on an individual and then request info, they can't just tap a UK citizens name into a computer and get into our databases.

Details of major criminals are shared worldwide, but not info on Joe Bloggs.

prowla

The problem with telling a lie is that you have to keep it up in perpetuity.

If you now say that you did have a conviction then they may get upset about it not having been declared before.

Alternatively, if you ever did say yes before, then they will have it on record.

christaitfife

Yes, it is true that you should have applied for a visa previously.
Yes, the fact that you haven't may cause you issues.
Yes, if you would have kept quiet you would have been allowed entry with [likely] no issues.

The problem you have is that you have booked the interview so the US Authorities now have knowledge that you have something to 'own up to'. At this stage you have little option to go through with the interview. I would prepare for a tough ride, but don't worry about it. Honesty normally wins out. And in any case, whether it is a Yes or a No you have little control over it.

The US immigration requirements are nuts in my opinion. In particular the "moral turpitude" clause. In real terms, "moral turpitude" can be anything and conveniently is not defined by the US authorities. Believe it or not if you have ever had oral 'relations' (you know what I mean!) you have commuted an act of 'moral turpitude', and legally speaking you should visit the US Embassy and declare it!

steve1500

Reading this, just remembered in the last century I got done for not having a tv licence which is still a criminal offence.

Since then I've been to the States 5 or 6 times. since

I'd completely forgotten about this heinous crime so I've always said no to any criminal conviction.

But seriously, how would they find out about a minor conviction all those years ago, most likely recorded on paper. People move house change name

So not even on a computer to search & the cost of putting all that paper onto a computer and making it searchable -I doubt even Bill Gates could afford it

But as has been said, they know now

Bond,James_Bond

I don't think not having a TV licence involves moral turpitude

814man

http://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/travelling-america-usa/