You must apply for an ESTA online to enter the USA after 12 Jan 2009

BigSaver_2

dzug1 wrote: »

There are no quick ways around it other than to lie on the ESTA form.

WHAT WAS THE OFFENCE??????

It makes all the difference as to the likelihood of him getting a visa or not. If it was for something like drugs I doubt if he will get a visa. If he got in a fight he probably will.

Worst case if you lied on ESTA? Denied entry into the country?

I think he said it was shoplifting.

dzug1

BigSaver wrote: »

Worst case if you lied on ESTA? Denied entry into the country?

I think he said it was shoplifting.

I doubt if he would get a visa - shoplifting is moral turpitude and it is fairly recent. But I may be unduly pessimistic. Getting one by October which I think is when you said you were going is pushing it though.

Worst case - denied entry after being held in custody cells until a flight home was available. Paying for that flight at full non-discounted fare. Banned from entering USA for years if not life.

BigSaver_2

dzug1 wrote: »

I doubt if he would get a visa - shoplifting is moral turpitude and it is fairly recent. But I may be unduly pessimistic. Getting one by October which I think is when you said you were going is pushing it though.

Worst case - denied entry after being held in custody cells until a flight home was available. Paying for that flight at full non-discounted fare. Banned from entering USA for years if not life.

Roughly 7-8years the offence happened, that's a long time. As this is a minor offence and first offence, I personal think that this should be taken off police record after 5 years or so (Do you write to local MP to take this up the chain of command to amend the law on this?).

I won't tell him about the worst case scenario yet as he will cancel the booking straight away. I'll tell him to apply for Police certificate and take it from there. Is it ONLY U.S. you have to do this long thing? if you went to China, India or Australia, I am sure its not strict as the U.S. , why?

Is it ok to fill in NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION (https://evisaforms.state.gov/), before sending of the Police certificate of application? So it completed for when he goes to the US embassy?

alanrowell

dzug1 wrote: »

Worst case - denied entry after being held in custody cells until a flight home was available. Paying for that flight at full non-discounted fare. Banned from entering USA for years if not life.

If you are taken landside because you can't get a flight home that day then you get a natty set of shackles to go with your free accommodation. And having a rather large "denied entry" stamp in your passport is certain to arouse the interest of any other immigration folk you encounter in the future

BigSaver wrote: »

Roughly 7-8years the offence happened, that's a long time. As this is a minor offence and first offence, I personal think that this should be taken off police record after 5 years or so

US doesn't recognise the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act - even if the offence was committed 50 years ago and you've been the model citizen ever since then you are still a naughty boy according to the US

BigSaver_2

The person endorsing, who sings the passport size photo (list http://www.acpo.police.uk/Certificat...20form%208.pdf), Civil Servant (permanent), can it be someone who works for the council? Any other groups of people other then ones shown on the list.

For proof of address is a credit card statement, Mobile phone bill & bank cover letter, ok?

When you taker the Police Certificate to the US Embassy do they keep the original copy?

Any tips on speeding the process up, other then paying £70?

Cheapest and quickest way to pay? cheque, postal order or Bankers draft?
Thank you

ferf1223

BigSaver wrote: »

Is it ok to fill in NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION (https://evisaforms.state.gov/), before sending of the Police certificate of application? So it completed for when he goes to the US embassy?

As far as I can see you print the form when you're done and take it with you...so I don't see why you couldn't complete it before unless there are questions on it you cannot answer until after you have the police certificate...but it won't go anywhere to speed the process up I don't think.

You must click the "Continue" button below and then print the form to complete the process.

dzug1

BigSaver wrote: »

Roughly 7-8years the offence happened, that's a long time. As this is a minor offence and first offence, I personal think that this should be taken off police record after 5 years or so (Do you write to local MP to take this up the chain of command to amend the law on this?).

I won't tell him about the worst case scenario yet as he will cancel the booking straight away. I'll tell him to apply for Police certificate and take it from there. Is it ONLY U.S. you have to do this long thing? if you went to China, India or Australia, I am sure its not strict as the U.S. , why?

It doesn't actually matter a toss whether it's on the police record or not - as far as the USA is concerned it happened and is there for life. 15 or 20 years down the road they may decide they can ignore it - but they still want to know. And it will be pointless asking your MP to lobby for a change in US law as he's not a US congressman.

The US are the only country AFAIK to apply this for holidays - it's because they don't have a separate law for holidays, but apply the criteria for immigrants to everyone. Australia would certainly take an interest if you were immigrating, and probably Canada quite a few other countries as well.

Canada BTW does have similar criteria too - but they don't in general bother asking tourists

torbrex

I just did mine for my upcoming trip, I had heard and read how long and drawn out the form was online but I found it very easy and quick and got approved straight away. But then I have no criminal record.

BigSaver_2

dzug1 wrote: »

It doesn't actually matter a toss whether it's on the police record or not - as far as the USA is concerned it happened and is there for life. 15 or 20 years down the road they may decide they can ignore it - but they still want to know. And it will be pointless asking your MP to lobby for a change in US law as he's not a US congressman.

Not change US law but UK law, something minor as theft/shoplifting to be erased from the Police national computer after 5 years, depending on the circumstance.

dzug1

BigSaver wrote: »

Not change US law but UK law, something minor as theft/shoplifting to be erased from the Police national computer after 5 years, depending on the circumstance.

Well maybe.

But I don't regard theft as 'minor', and the US have a different way of classifying things anyway.