travel to usa

[joyceanmac]

ive heard if you have a criminal convition eaven a driving offenceyou be refused admition to the usa

[dzug]

Correct, though most driving offences are not criminal convictions so it needs to be more than that.

There's numerous posts here that have discussed the issue.

[Pam29]

Yes you need to get a visa if you have anything worse than a speeding or parking ticket ie: drink driving. Even a caution counts as an offence but not if you were under 18. And a visa may be refused. Check out the American Embassy website for more info.

[Buenchico]

As has been stated, minor motoring offences (such as speeding tickets) don't prohibit entry to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program. However, anyone who has ever been arrested (even if they were totally innocent) or convicted of an offence by a court (including motoring offences which result in a court appearance) is obliged to apply for a visa:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ arrests_and_convictions.html

It has been frequently pointed out, here on AB, that the US immigration authorities don't have direct access to UK criminal records. Many people simply lie when they fill in the form on the plane and get in without any problems. (Anyone, without a visa, declaring an arrest or conviction on the form would be denied entry. The immigration authorities have no discretion under such circumstances).

However, the UK does pass some information on to the US authorities. Anyone with a conviction for a serious offence (or possibly any offence involving drugs, firearms, explosives or sexual misconduct) might be barred from entry if they did not possess a visa.

The visa application process, for people with criminal convictions, is extremely lengthy. (Allow at least 5 months, possibly longer). For much of the time that the process is underway, the applicant will effectively be barred from any international travel because their passport will be held at the US embassy. Details of the visa application process are in my posts, here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 289769.html

Chris

[robski]

I must be the lucky one then

I work as p/t ski rep in North America and have 2 convictios that show up on a CRB check even though they are from 1994

possession of class b control drug
cultivation of a class b substance

I visit both E + W Coast at least twice a year and have done for around 12 years and never a problem although I dont admit my offences on the visa waiver but I cant condone that, I am just a little bit wooor a little bit wayyyy and if your not old enough to remember thats a Fast Show skit

[robski]

and as a hint, if your ever stopped for speeding in USA put on a posh english accent and say its your first time driving on the right and you usually drive a mini (the only small car USA can identify with!) and say your so busy concentrating on the road, you are not used to the power of usa cars and you drive at 70 every day in uk and takes a bit of getting used to so you are sooooo sorry. if you are humble and apologetic it works a treat (at least I am 3 for 3 i.e got warnings, no ticket!)