Traveling to the U.S without a Visa

[Bluestar69]

I am due to go in 3 weeks to florida and my friend was arrested for assult back in Feb and was only cautioned but it says we need to apply for a visa. Its too late to do that now. Will we be ok? has anyone else been in the same situation. im really worried. Can anyone help please

[sag]

Why don't you get in touch with the American embassy in London. They are the best people to help you with this situation. Happy holidays if you make it!!

[Buenchico]

The worst possible thing you could do is to contact the US embassy! If you tell them that your friend needs to apply for a visa it might flag up on their immigration officials' computer when he arrives in the USA.

The only way your friend can enter the USA is by conveniently 'forgetting' about his/her brush with the law. There's absolutely no way that he/she would get a visa within 3 weeks. However, your friend can lawfully tick 'no' in answer to the question (on the form you complete on the plane) about 'crimes of moral turpitude' because assault doesn't fall into this category.

The USA have no direct access to UK police records so, as long as he/she keeps quiet about the caution, you'll have no problems getting into the USA.

See here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 575347.html

Chris

[Bluestar69]

are you sure they have no access to the records even if they take finger prints here in the uk at the time of caution. i know they take prints at the airport

[Buenchico]

EU privacy laws prevent the UK authorities from generally opening up UK police records to overseas governments. They can only pass on information where there is a specific reason (e.g. to monitor the movements of suspected terrorists).

Several people have posted, here on AB, to state that they've had no problems entering the USA by simply 'forgetting' about quite serious convictions (e.g. relating to class A drugs). On the other hand, someone has posted to state that their partner was denied a visa due to being convicted of driving without insurance.

If your friend applied for a visa, he/she would probably get one, but there's simply not time to do so. (Follow my link for an indication of the time required). He/she should simply enter under the Visa Waiver Program, by keeping quiet about the caution.

Chris

[Bluestar69]

i will be glad when we get through its so nerve rackin im gonna do nothing but worry for 3 weeks. has any1 else got through

[pink-kittens]

Morning bluestar

There is somewhere buried in this section, a post from someone who did indeed sail through and who came back to say thank you and advise others they need not be worried

No idea which post/er but it is here, honest :)

[Bluestar69]

Thankyou. I think i have seen that somewhere. Obviously still worried though lol

[Dee Sa]

DO NOT CONTACT US EMBASSY, read other posts, thats the last thing you should do.Once you contact them there is no going back because they have your details which are not on their computer as yet.
Just do what all others do, get on the plane , tick the no box on the waiver form, do not act jittery at the airport just smile and nod at everyone and have a great holiday.

[Bluestar69]

Have you done this Dee Sa?

[Dee Sa]

Bluestar 69
no I have not needed to and I go to States mainly for the clothes shopping on a regular basis, but I read posting after posting on this subject and everyone who has got in touch with the embassy cannot go back to the tick box/waiver scheme because the embassy has their details.
I did get held in Vegas airport once for two hours, I was travelling with a lady in a wheelchair with learning difficulties and took 3 passports to the desk, they kindly let us jump the queue and the guy on the desk put the wrong iris photo on my passport details on his computer[ said we all looked the same to him] it was his mistake and this caused a big problem as we thought the next time we would be refused entry because the iris would not match, had to get the manager down to sort it etc. and there were about 6 people in this room all with entry problems but none English.
Another time we took my grandaughter to Florida and because we each had a different surname on our passports [ me, my new hubby and grandaughter]and she was only 7 yrs old at the time, we got singled out for having our luggage searched, very slowly , and all the time the guy was asking 7 yr old pointed questions which she answered and in the end she said "excuse me but you are very nosey arent you?" very politely to the guy and he said go ---- I do understand why they checked at the time there was a big hoo hah about children going missing.
Hope this answers your question, just go ahaed tick the box, smile at the guy on the immigration desk, expect long queues, dont pick up your hire car until next day, because you will be tired after the flight and you have to deal with waiver forms and upgrades [ dont take an open top car in the middle of summer its too hot you need a/c] and then driving on the left.
Have a great time, I hope Universal has re-opened .
happy holidays.

[Bluestar69]

Thanks. Im still really worried though :-(

[kaby]

i think you will; be ok cos i have researched a lot as i will be in the same situation in october, can you please let me know how you get on it will really put my mind at rest =]

[michelle1]

yes please let us know im going in november enjoy your holiday

[kaby]

any news at all? hope all went well