travel usa with convictions

[valerie23]

we are travelling to folrida in Sept my firend has convictions for theft by housebreaking non dwelling back in 1990 will they need a visa to travel. She received a fine and has not spent any time in prison.

[Buenchico]

Officially (i.e. according to the US embassy website) anyone who has ever been arrested is ineligible to use the Visa Waiver Program:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ add_crime.html

As far as the US authorities are concerned, no crimes are ever 'spent' and all thefts (even simply nicking a Mars bar) count as crimes of 'moral turpitude', which means that a visa might be refused.

In practice, most people simply 'forget' about their convictions. See here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Law/Criminal/Qu estion515073.html

Chris

[valerie23]

thanks for your reply you also answered my fingerprint question. I just found out today about the visa requirements and panicked. I've been looking up the other posts and am staring to calm down.

[kaby]

hi
i was just asking if your friend does decide to go the visa waiver way could you possible post and let us know how you got on?
i have a single reprimand for petty shoplifting on my records and am flying out in oct and it would be reassuring to hear some peronal experience as it is too late to get a visa so im ging to tick no on the form and hope for the best =]
ta
xx