Best route to find out if i am allowed

NotRichAtAll

entry into another country? America

As above, basically over 35yrs ago i had a conviction for robbery (not armed or violent but still robbery) i was given a 6yr prison sentance which i served 4yrs, because the sentance was over 5yrs i was also placed on the firearms register.
So time served, never committed another offence and worked for a living ever since, remember reading back in the 90's that a building in my hometown was burned to the ground, this building was the place where all criminal paper records were stored from the courts and police stations, i do not know if my records were in this building or even if they were destroyed.
Now fast forward to present day have worked in jobs since leaving prison that have done background checks and have never been told" sorry you have a criminal past" i also have never declared the conviction as it is over 10yrs ago.

So using the above info what is my best way to see if i can go on a holiday in america and be allowed entry? i don't want to book and then get turned away, do i even need to declare i had a conviction in the past.

thanks

sheramber

You will probably need a VISA to enter America by air or sea

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-waiver-program/additional-requirements/

Westin

Agree with sheramber in post above.

photome

Normally i would say there are some things you can just say no to when applying for an ESTA.

but with a serious conviction such as yours i would also say you need to go down the route already suggested.

just out of interest why would anyone go on a firearms register if no firearms were involved

NotRichAtAll

photome wrote: »

just out of interest why would anyone go on a firearms register if no firearms were involved

well trust me it happens

Section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968 prohibits a person from possession of any type of firearm if you have been given a custodial sentence when convicted of a criminal offence.

If you have received a custodial sentence of between 3 months and 3 years then you are prohibited for a period of 5 years from the date you are released.

If you have received a custodial sentence of 3 years or more then you are prohibited for life, from the date of release.

which also means an automatic 5yrs in prison if i ever have a gun or a shotgun shell in my possession. And that is why i am on the firearms license and that is when i say there were no guns involved in the robbery it's because there was not.

below is a simple example of a robbery
if i were to knock you out with a stick of blackpool rock then tie you up with a pair of stockings that would be robbery or even worse....see where am going no guns involved but still robbery

photome

NotRichAtAll wrote: »

well trust me it happens

Section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968 prohibits a person from possession of any type of firearm if you have been given a custodial sentence when convicted of a criminal offence.

If you have received a custodial sentence of between 3 months and 3 years then you are prohibited for a period of 5 years from the date you are released.

If you have received a custodial sentence of 3 years or more then you are prohibited for life, from the date of release.

I see . and thanks

I assumed that the register was for people convicted of a firearms offence rather than a register for people not allowed to have firearms

Tammykitty

Fly via Dublin or Shannon and go through the US Pre clearance, at least that way, you get turned away before you get on the flight should they decide against you

scumsthorne

NotRichAtAll wrote: »

what is my best way to see if i can go on a holiday in america and be allowed entry?

First thing would be to do a Subject Access Request on the Police National Computer to see what information they do hold.

Fill in the ESTA, it should be denied. Make an appointment at the embassy, try to get a B2 visa, it should be denied, hand in your pre-prepared forms for a waiver of ineligibility, it may be denied or not.

Positives are it was 35 years ago. Were you over 18 at the time?

Have a look at Immigration & Nationality Act (INA) §212 and check the criteria for waivers. Some are permitted if the offence occurred more than 15 years ago.

Important note. Trump is making an announcement on Monday regarding ESTA and eligibility, I would wait until this happens before you go any further.

Due to the seriousness of the offence it may/may not be flagged on the system. Nobody knows.

Doshwaster

Tammykitty wrote: »

Fly via Dublin or Shannon and go through the US Pre clearance, at least that way, you get turned away before you get on the flight should they decide against you

And probably no chance of getting your money back!

NotRichAtAll

Were you over 18 at the time?

Yes....just
Nothing is set in stone yet and the holiday is not yet planned i am just forward planning.

thanks for all the replies so far

scumsthorne

NotRichAtAll wrote: »

Yes....just

First things first, do a Subject Access Request on the Police National Computer to see what information they do hold. I think SARs cost £10.