Passport scanning at airports...

[sveney]

Ok, so I've started another question on here about visa's and entry to the US if you have a conviction or have been arrested.

I understand the terms of "moral terpitude" (finally!!!). I have decided to enter and go to New York in November and risk it. I'm sure alot of people have or will do this too. But the only thing that is worrying me is these new passports.

What I want to know is what information actually comes up on the screen when these passports with chips are swipped?

If you lie on your "Visa Waiver Form", does a page come up showing your convictions when they swipe the passport (assume the passort is being swipped in the US)?

[Buenchico]

There's nothing on the chip which isn't visible to you on page 31 of your passport:
http://www.passport.gov.uk/general_biometrics_ chip.asp

The US authorities have no direct access to UK criminal records. The data from the chip can't log into a system which reads your record because no such system exists. Scanning your passport will only 'start alarm bells ringing' if your name is on a 'watch list' based upon specific information passed on by the UK authorities. For security reasons, we're not told who's on this list but it will almost certainly contain details of anyone who's been convicted of serious crimes involving drug trafficking, arms dealing and serious sexual offences. The list might include people convicted of more minor offences (simply because the UK might decide on a 'blanket policy' of passing on information, say, about all drugs offences or, perhaps, all sexual offences). However, it's extremely unlikely that, say, minor theft or criminal damage offences would show up.

Chris

[ojread2]

Chris, you are a minefield of superior information!

This reply has helped me for a visa application to the US.
Ojx

[munchie63]

I applied, and got a US Visa in October. I'd be happy to help if anyone sgot any questions about the embassy or the process, if they can't find the answer on the USEmbassy Webpage.

As for the screen at the airport:
I agree with Bueno. Unless it's a serious conviction, or you're on a watchlist, nothing shows up. I thought the reason for the Visa would show, but it doesn't.
I watched the screen at gatwick to see what came up, but couldn't see anything appear.

[jno]

they initially wanted all sorts of things on the chip, and wanted it machine-readable even when closed (eg by the spy walking past you in the street!) but all it does contain is a digital version of the stuff that's already there in print. So if you just tick the box on the waiver form saying you haven't committed any offences involving moral turpitude you should be fine, unless you are Bin Laden.

[Steady_eddie]

I has a conviction for drink driving 18 months ago, would this be classed as a lower scale conviction i.e would it show up on the watch list?

do you think ticking "No" on the the waiver is the best option?

Thanks