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

Fortran

craig777 wrote: »

Not much of friend to do something like that!

You'll have an entry on the PNC for this little incident, you'll be known as a 'CJ Arrestee' until you're 100 years old, then the Police will kindly wipe the entry... unless you fight for it to be removed, which is possible, but I don't know what's involved to be honest. Although your record will be 'spent', so only visible to Police, not other users of the PNC.

I can't imagine your name will be on any US Immigration 'watch list' over this matter, you're hardly gonna be flagged as a potentional drug trafficker. You didn't even receive any kind of warning/caution/fine etc. etc.

Technically you should apply for a Visa, but in reality, I bet there are loads of people that pass through US Immigration without a hitch that have been in your kind of situation. I actually know someone that has!

You know the risks, so only you can make the decision... but you might have a struggle to get a Visa sorted within 8 weeks??

And if you're travelling on your own, immigration might take more interest in you than they would a family, so you could find yourself subject to deeper digging by immigration.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do and how it goes.

Thanks for the input guys appreciate it. I have vaguely considered risking it but decided very strongly against it. I have plans to work and live in the US over the next few years so I need to do things properly now I have this pointless thing hanging over my head. Your right, he most certainly wasn't much of a friend and as such I haven't spoken to him since the incident and most likley, unless I am unfortunate enough to bump into him, will never do again.

I have applied for the ACRO on their premium 2 day (or slightly more) turn around and will be contacting the embassy as soon as it arrives, embassy waiting list is stating 3 days for an appointment at this time so hopefully it will still be that when I can book. After reading of other people who have had actual official arrest cautions being approved for a visa the very same day as their appointment I am quite hopeful that I should be able to get the visa without too much of a headache. At the end of the day aside from being unfortunate enough to get caught up in this I have done nothing wrong and am not guilty of any crime, sincerely hope the embassy will see this.

Thanks again for the input everybody, appreciate it.

stoneman

dzug1 wrote: »

Rubbish. The US authorities specifically require disclosure of arrests as well as convictions. Read the question on the ESTA form and don't draw glib comparisons with another unconnected country.

I wasn't "draw(ing) glib comparisons" with anything. The statment about Australia was just to mention why I needed a police report.
Anyway, arrested, cautioned, "no trace" . Good enought for me;)

dzug1

stoneman wrote: »

Anyway, arrested, cautioned, "no trace" . Good enought for me;)

Maybe good enough for you but not good enough for the US

And (at least for certain types) cautions are convictions in US eyes.

craig777

Fortran wrote: »

I have vaguely considered risking it but decided very strongly against it. I have plans to work and live in the US over the next few years

Sensible.

You're ACRO certificate won't show anything. A 'subject access request' from your local Police station might also be required by the Embassy, as I'd imagine they'd want to see some sort of evidence as to why you're applying for a Visa??

paulinespens

Subject access form is no longer accepted by the US Embassy. It was when I got my fiance visa for the US.

You need to visit this site

http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp

Fortran

I really hope the Subject Access isn't required. It states on the VCU1 form that if the ACRO certificate shows "No Trace" or "No Live Trace" that you simply have to fill in the details of your arrest or conviction on the form itself. I pray they don't require the Subject Access as well as the ACRO as for some reason it takes 40 days to obtain! I don't see why anybody would lie about being arrested or convicted just to obtain a visa, especially when those things seem to make it even less unlikely that you will receive one.

craig777

Fortran wrote: »

It states on the VCU1 form that if the ACRO certificate shows "No Trace" or "No Live Trace" that you simply have to fill in the details of your arrest or conviction on the form itself.

Ok, I didn't know that. You should be fine then.

Fortran

Yeah your quite right there, the system seems to be fundamentally flawed, ACRO is all the embassy will accept so seem to be preventing people from actually being able to provide proper proof for what they are being required to disclose.

All I can say is the fact that my ACRO certificate should state "No Trace" meaning there is no record of any crime at all not just a de-escalation, hopefully this is sufficient to prove to them that I have no caution/conviction or charge of any kind but I am simply having to admit to the arrest itself.

I guess their philosophy behind why people would tick the "yes" box on the waiver visa also applies to people applying at the embassy, i.e. the consequences of lying on an official immigration form are extremely serious. Anyway really hope so as I don't have the 40 days to wait around while somebody presses the print button on the PNC keyboard if I am going to make it out in time for xmas. Of course if it is requested then I have no other choice, but it should really be stated in the embassy forms that it could be a requirement, especially when they state categorically that "Subject Access" is no longer accepted as proper proof. I believe I still have the original arrest and release form from the night it happened so maybe that would suffice as it shows the date and also could corroborate with the ACRO as if it hadn't ended with no further action being taken then it would show on the ACRO as the time-period is under a year.

Fotoman_2

Just received this e-mail from United States ESTA...

Important Notice to ESTA Applicants:

Have you paid for ESTA? If so, you have been victimized by a fraudulent ESTA. Please review the DHS warning: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/esta_advisory.ctt/esta_advisory.pdf. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not work with any private websites to help file ESTA applications. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a FREE application and it is available only at the official .GOV website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

The following actions are required:

1. Dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company
2. Apply yourself at the official ESTA website

REFUND: You are entitled to a full refund by contacting your bank or credit card company. You should explain to your credit card company that you are a victim of fraud, as you have paid an impostor government website. If you have paid a fee to submit your ESTA application you are a victim of fraud and possible identity theft, as the individuals who operate the fraudulent ESTA website have your passport information, full name, date of birth, address and full credit card information. There is no way of knowing what they will do with this information.

To learn more about this scam, search online for "ESTA Fraud" or "ESTA Scam”. You will find several articles exposing this scam. The BBC made a report recently about fraudulent ESTA websites operating out of Korea and defrauding applicants from all over the world. You can watch the video at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_8290000/newsid_8293700/8293707.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&nol_storyid=8293707&bbcws=1

*** U.S. Consumer Protection Services ***

Stephb1986_2

Dinkydog, I don't know what has happened but I'm sorry your not replying to genuine people who need help. Because your information to me has been fantastic. Please don't let one person ruin it for everyone else.

Steph xx