Visas/criminal records to USA please help?!

[Deppster]

You're meant to apply for a visa to visit USA if you have a criminal record or been arrested EVER. But loads of people are just ticking NO to questions about convictions on the plane, travelling without visa and getting by no problem. However I'm sure with my luck we'd be stopped and that would be the end of our dream Disney holiday before it had begun. I know your criminal record cannot be linked to your passport when it's scanned otherwise all the people with past convictions would not be getting through under the Visa Waiver Programme. Some people apply for the visa and don't get it- or they get it but get refused entry into the US anyway so no wonder people are lying about their criminal records. I have convictions for theft/ breach of peace/no TV license from 16 years ago approx. Partner has 2 thefts/ 2 or 5 breach of peace from 10 years ago and a drink driving from 5 years ago. Does anyone think that one or both of us would be refused a visa and/or entry into the US? I'm worried sick - holiday is already booked and kids are looking forward to it.

[sushi12345]

i have crimnal record and have been prison for 11 months ,im worried that i cant enter usa now,but i have been to miami just befor i was convitced 5 years ago under my new name. as i changed my name not long befor i was convicted for personal reasons,wen i was charged with my abh affence i didnt declair my name change.
so what iam thinking now if i go back to the usa under my new name like i did befor i was convited,would my convitions come up under my new name wen they finger print me. i would be so gratefull if any1 could but me in the pitcher in anyway thank you

[sushi12345]

I have crimnal record and have been prison for 11 months ,im worried that i cant enter usa now/
But i have been to miami just befor i was convitced 5 years ago under my new name i changed into befor i was convitced, which i still have now. as i changed for personal reasons,wen i was charged with my abh affence i didnt declair my name change.
so what iam thinking now if i go back to the usa under my new name like i did befor i was convited,would my convitions come up under my new name wen they finger print me. i would be so gratefull if any1 could but me in the pitcher in anyway thank you

[Comedykev]

I have just been refused a visa for a on the grounds of a crimes of moral turpitude 19 years ago. (1 count handling stolen goods, 2 of theft. My fine including court costs £70, my scentence 2 year conditional discgharge)

Not only that by after a tursary interview, I have also been denied under a 214(b) which basically means I failed to provide sufficient evidence that I intended to return to this country as I had no sufficent ties. I was not asked for any evidence. The only things that led them to this was I rented but did not own my house. (a job,two kids and a wife werent sufficient evidence).

And apparently this is harder to get a waiver for than my criminal convictions.

Lie. If it's just a short visit lie. If you intend to later apply for immigration DON'T.

The whole interview process and the rigmoral around it must make the a fortune.

Have a nice day.

[tourtzz]

sushi did u ever get in the USA?

[tourtzz]

I have no idea what to do, i have an ABH on my recoord from 2010, it seems declaring this when applying for a visa is pointless as they tell you yes - immigration can still tell you no so that was a waste of time.

also if they give u a visa which seems difficult enough youre entering the country looking like a ciminal. On the otherhand not declaring can be costly if you get turned away, the entire thing seems so much hassel just for a holiday. Has anybody on here actrually been to the USA with a criminal record, not decared it and actually got in or got turned away!?

there seems to be a lot of 'talk' on this thread with no real examples of anybody either getting in or getting turned away? Any help please!?!?

[LMT567]

In 1999 I was giving a criminal record for Class A and Class B drugs. At the time I went to court and was charged, for this I received a £350 fine. The amount I had on my person when arrested was miniscule, but that doesn't matter in the eyes of US law. In 2001 I was arrested again for drunk and disorderly and possession of a Class B but was released without charge due to a lack of evidence. Since then I have not been in trouble.

What I want to know is has anybody confessed to similar crimes, especially the Class A during the visa interview at the US embassy and been granted a visa? I am keen to book my ticket to San Francisco but this is hanging over me. Like other posters; I know people with Class A convections who ticked no on the ESTA and made it through, but for me I don’t feel confidant to do this. Anybody had a similar experience?

[mumblewumble]

Hope someone can help. My husband has a drink driving conviction from may 2012. we are going to florida in may 2013. he was honest on the esta form so was denied. he applied for a visa but was refused. he does have another EU passport (dual nationality) so could apply for an esta on that and just lie about the conviction but his fingerprints and photo were taken at the US embassy when he applied for a visa. Would they check either before getting on the plane or at border patrol in florida against visa application records? We really dont know what to do. Like others, this is the trip of a lifetime and we dont want him to get sent home or put in prison over there. Anyone any help?

[Pritchard_2013]

hi im goin florida in Sept this yr I got a caution n and took to court once for arson I know its moral turitude od wat ever it is, I got granted a tourist visa for only 5 yrs not the normal 10 years......im racking my self up with worry I wont get in......please help!!!

[Pritchard_2013]

hi all ive been readin through this and I got a caution and convicted to court once for arson when I was 14 and 16 im 26 in November. im going florida in Sept this year and booked it then found out needed visa so cut long story short I applied for one and got one for 5 years not the normal 10 im bricking myself incase I get turned away.....someone try rest my mind please many thanks james

[Shaun0071]

Hi I've been in prison for 9month plus got some charges assault drink driving theft breech of piece, I no this sounds bad but have changed my life since then and now want to take my wee girl to Florida, this all happened over 10years ago.

I have filled out the application for the b2 but not payed the money to start the ball rolling, I have gave my pp number ext, what should I do, lie or book the interview at London embassy ???

[duc916]

Shaun0071 how did you get on