Visa to America problems

[bryanwhsup]

I have a few problems with the visa waver program. I am travelling to the states on September 20th to do the Chicago Marathon and I have realized a little late that I might be excemp from the program as I have a minor offence in 2004, which certainly doesnt make me undesirable. So can I get away with this by forgetting to declare it on the 1-94 form? Is it storred on my passport so when they machine read it, it comes up? Oh my passport was issued in feb 2006 and does not have a chip but has a digital photo!. Failing all that can I get a visa rushed through as I am travelling in two months and by reading about it, things will take a lot longer in the normal process. Cheers Bryan

[warpig3]

See link below Bryan, I reckon you should just 'forget'

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 432113.html

[Buenchico]

A few facts:

1. You'll have no choice other than to 'forget' about your conviction on the visa waiver form. You need to allow at least 5 months for the entire visa application process; there's no 'fast track' system ;

2. European human rights legislation prohibits the UK government from passing on personal data about its citizens (including criminal records) to other authorities (including the US immigration service) without 'justifiable cause'. Information can be shared about suspected drug traffickers, terrorists, etc but the database of UK criminal records can't be shared with the USA.

3. The USA has no direct access to any criminal records, other than its own and those of Canada. (The two countries share a common database).

4. There is nothing in the digital data on a passport which isn't already visible to the naked eye. (i.e. the digital data only records your name, date & place of birth, etc. It merely proves that the printed information hasn't been altered).

5. Several people have posted on AB, to state that they've entered the USA, under the visa waiver program, despite having criminal convictions.

Chris

[bryanwhsup]

Thanks for all your answers. I will take the chance on the 12th September and not feeel to worried about it now
Bryan

[shiv72]

Hi Can anyone help...I have recently applied for a visa to america for a drink driving conviction, I am due to travel in 10 days and have not heard back from the embassy, can I still go and chance it?
Thanks