travelling to USA with convictions

[plymouthlad]

I was recently convicted in court of affray and handed a 3 month suspended sentence, 150 hours community service and a 3 year football banning order(civil). If I wanted to go to the USA next year on holiday will they let me into the country?

Thanks

[R1Geezer]

Officially you will have to apply for a Visa in advance, they may or may not grant one. You cannot, officially use the visa waiver scheme if you have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude (Their terminology). However there is no direct link between US customs and UK criminal records so you may choose to not mention it, risky but possible. If they find out, your feet won't touch!

[Ethel]

You are supposed to apply for a visa to enter the USA and if you don't, and are caught, you will be sent straight back home.

[BRAVO1]

Dear R1Geezer and others.

Sadly there is a direct link between the UK CRB and US Customs.

This was set up after 9/11 and the direct invasion of Iraq.

After all, say this plymouthlad had been convicted of drug or terrorist activities ?.,..I admit fighting at football matches isn't crimes against the state, but a random check will uncover this record.

The USA is home to the most largest and powerfull computer in the world, run by the NSA, or national security agency, this super water cooled computer, can process data in seconds - Type in a name and date of birth, or a partial NI number and this thing will churn out data on everyone on it;'s data base.

Good Luck

[R1Geezer]

Are you sure there's a link BRAV? I mean for every conviction in the UK, I accept the terrorist ones. Can you expand on that, I mean are you saying that Plymouthlad's indescretions will be known to the US then?

Any furthe info/links would be useful.

[pink-kittens]

R1Geezer
No there isn't - look for dzug and Buenchico's posts in Travel
plymouthlad I advise you do the same ands ignore BRAVO; he had made an incorrect statement