US Visa Help

[Jenny12345]

What is my Fiance Steve and I's best chance of gaining entry to the US?

We will be holidaying in New York this June and have JUST read the US immigration websites terms about applying for Visas. I understand that if you have had any arrests, convictions or anything ever you need to apply for a visa. Steve has a conviction for the cultivation of a few controlled plants for which he is still serving a 12 month conditional discharge, and I have a caution for posession of a contolled substance.

Do we apply for Visas, face getting rejected even before we go (how long will this take by the way) considering this holiday is now already booked?

Do we chance it and just answer no we havent got anything when we get there and they ask us?
How can they check? I know they fingerprint you and scan your passport, but these things arent linked to the criminal record database?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jenny

[Dee Sa]

if you are both British and dont have a criminal record then you should be fine, just fill out the immigration card handed to you on the plane and wait in line.

Why do you think you might have a problem ? I go to States every year and have never had a problem.Last time I went in April to Vegas and they scanned the passport and took a photo of your iris for identification purposes, but as far as I know no one else in the world has a photo of my iris so they can only match it up on my next visit.

happy holidays

[Dee Sa]

sorry jenny didnt read your request properly, you do have big problems with a drug offence however minor.If you live within the M25 radius, go to one of these agencies that apply for a visa for you[ look in the yellow pages] yes they charge you �30 or so, but they know exactly what to do, and if there is a way round it, and will probably have contacts and will tell you what your chances are, believe me it will be worth it.You definately cant chance get turned back. I hope you make it, New York is great.

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

There's no way that you'll be legally able to enter the USA next month. As you're aware, neither of you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. This means that you're obliged to apply for visas. I'll outline the procedures but, as you'll see, the MINIMUM time it would take to get visas would be around 4 MONTHS:

The first step would be to complete a visa application form. You can fill in the application form online, here:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ electronic.html

Then you'd need to schedule an interview at the US Embassy in London. (This is compulsory for every applicant except for children and the elderly). See here:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ interview.html

It typically takes two to three weeks to get an interview. The interview process takes two to three hours. Then, because you'll have answered 'yes' to the 'arrests and convictions' question, it will take a minimum of 14 to 16 weeks before you'll find out whether you'll be granted visas.

[Buenchico]

For applicants who are invited to take part in the trial payment scheme, the visa application fee is US$100, payable by credit/debit card when you attend for interview. Otherwise, you're given a form, which you take from the embasy to a bank, to enable you to pay in �63. You also have to purchase a pre-paid envelope for the courier service which delivers your passport back to you. This costs �10.

US immigration officials don't have direct access to the UK criminal records database but some information is automatically passed on to the US authorities from the UK. Obviously this will include information about those convicted of serious drug offences (e.g. trafficking) but it MIGHT also include details of everyone convicted of any drug offences. The problem is that we're not told exactly what is passed on.

Unfortunately, you're left with a choice of cancelling your holiday or taking the risk of being detained on arrival if you falsify your visa waiver form.

Chris

[Jenny12345]

Well, we already have everything booked, so i think we might just have to chance it. Ist not like we can change the date, as this is our honeymoon.

If we go through one of these companies which apply for a Visa for you how long will this take?

Im very very scared now. We can't cancel the holiday, everything is completely sorted, so what would happen if we were detained for ticking a box incorrectly?

Thanks so much for your help.

Jen x

[NORMANTHEDOG]

jenny,i think you have no choice but to take your chances,they can only send you back on the next plane.i know of a lot of people who have criminal convictions and have got in ok,as both your offences are minor drug related i doubt they will be on their records,only really serious offences are shared with the USA,have a good time.

[Dom Tuk]

I have said it before and i will say it again. The US authorities will not know of any bodys convictions unless you are on an international watch list. So if you dont tell them they wont know. have a good holiday and when asked say you were a model citizen.

[Dee Sa]

Jenny

the visa companies normally take about 2 days for straightforward visas, if you dont phone and ask, you wont know, personally I think its your best chance, they do this every day for their living so must know more than us "friendly experts".It wont cost any money to ask over the phone. Dont delay get something done. asap If it definately means an Embassy interview, you will have to delay your holiday, they dont exactly hurry over these matters. Pls let us know how u got on.Good luck

[Jenny12345]

Well, just to let you guys know that we lied our asses off when we signed the forms and just said no. We got in, we had an AMAZING time. Thanks for all your help anyway, I was really worried at one point, esp when we had to line up and have all our information checked.