Getting a VISA for USA holiday (previous criminal history)

Mr_Wang

danielthomark wrote: »

So committing immigration fraud = common sense ?

I take the opposite view.

Such a broad statement for such a minimal issue. A bit like someone driving 31mph in a 30mph zone and then calling them a dangerous driver.

I know you understand.

HappyMJ

Mr_Wang wrote: »

I don't see how you could 'get caught' as you say.

More importantly... Can you really just shut the door

re: TV licensing. Yes you can. There is no obligation to answer any questions at all. I wish I knew that at the time.

John259

Is encouraging people to break the law of another country contrary to the terms of this forum? I hope so.

Mr_Wang

John259 wrote: »

Is encouraging people to break the law of another country contrary to the terms of this forum? I hope so.

Perhaps.

But being unable to differentiate between opinion and encouragement should certainly be

bigadaj

HappyMJ wrote: »

re: TV licensing. Yes you can. There is no obligation to answer any questions at all. I wish I knew that at the time.

Far better to eat the tv, classic young ones episode.

shaun_from_Africa

Mr_Wang wrote: »

I don't see how you could 'get caught' as you say.

It's highly unlikely that you would get caught at this time but only with the visa waiver program operating as it currently does but who knows how long the system will be in place.

Someone could "forget" about a criminal conviction when applying for an ESTA and the chances are that this wouldn't have any effect on them getting into the US, but it could have serious consequences in the future if the VWP is stopped (As Donald Trump wants).
If this was to happen and anyone wanting to visit the US needed a Visa or simply that deeper checks on a person's criminal history were carried out, finding out that someone lied at an earlier time could possibly see them barred from the US forever.

John259

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Such a broad statement for such a minimal issue.

I'd say that losing thousands of pounds spent on a holiday, being detained by the US authorities for at least a few hours, being deported back to Britain, and being banned for life from ever entering the USA was rather non-trivial.

littlereddevil

And it does happen!

danielthomark

John259 wrote: »

Is encouraging people to break the law of another country contrary to the terms of this forum? I hope so.

Who knows, but this question on ESTA may be of relevance

Have you ever committed fraud or misrepresented yourself or others to obtain, or assist others to obtain, a visa or entry into the United States?

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Perhaps.

But being unable to differentiate between opinion and encouragement should certainly be

This is actually encouragement, not opinion.

Mr_Wang wrote: »

But for everyone else with common sense - Just use it

dickydonkin

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

It's highly unlikely that you would get caught at this time but only with the visa waiver program operating as it currently does but who knows how long the system will be in place.

Totally agree.

It wouldn't surprise me if they ditched the VWP completely and require every visitor to the US to apply for a visa. If I recall correctly, that used to be the case when I first visited the USA, or it certainly was for British citizens at the time.

Many year ago, I foolishly booked a trip before I had the documentation (I was young at the time) - I didn't even receive my passport until a few days before departure and I made the trip to the US embassy in Edinburgh to apply in person for the visa.

Fortunately, I received the documentation back two days before departure.....lesson learnt!

Also in these dangerous times we live in (although has it been anything else?), I suspect more information is shared than what we may be aware of.

As for being 'meagre' with ESTA application information, personally, I would not do it - although I hasten to add, I don't need to - although doing so, it may come back to bite you in the future.