can you visit the US with a criminal record ?
Discussion
shuvitupya said:Just don't give the US embassy your PH user name. That would decide the matter quickly.
How do I find out if I have a criminal record ?
I was fingerprinted and had DNA taken about 8 years ago.
I was given bail, but it never went further than that.
Does that mean I was arrested ?
Would this affect me going to USA or Canada ?
I would check with the embassy as has been said. From memory, when I was out there in 2000, the 'Visa Waiver' document you fill out on the plane to say why you dont need a visa actually asks if you have ever been *arrested*.
Saying that however, I am unsure how this could actually be checked wheh you get there. All the immigration people ask is if you can show them your return ticket, what your trip is for and take your passport number to make sure you leave within 3 months.
Depends if you want to take the risk. If your friend did get stopped, they would have to wait a few hours to get a visa. For DD i wouldnt have thought this to be a problem. If your criminal record is drug smuggling, computer fraud or firearms, then it may be a little more difficult!
Saying that however, I am unsure how this could actually be checked wheh you get there. All the immigration people ask is if you can show them your return ticket, what your trip is for and take your passport number to make sure you leave within 3 months.
Depends if you want to take the risk. If your friend did get stopped, they would have to wait a few hours to get a visa. For DD i wouldnt have thought this to be a problem. If your criminal record is drug smuggling, computer fraud or firearms, then it may be a little more difficult!
www.trailfinders.com/visas/visawaiver.htm
According to this you will need a Visa.
IIRC the DD is a Recordable Offence and as such on the database that US can check.
As Justinp mentions The Embassy should be able to advise fully.
dvd
According to this you will need a Visa.
IIRC the DD is a Recordable Offence and as such on the database that US can check.
As Justinp mentions The Embassy should be able to advise fully.
dvd
I don't know all the in's and outs but I'd look to clear customs/immigration or whatever at this end rather then risk being turned back in the US.
My dad was a skipper on very big ships and he frequently got arrested in the US because his crew had been caught in possession. He never got charged afik and never had a problem visiting the US coastline with his big ship
Boosted.
My dad was a skipper on very big ships and he frequently got arrested in the US because his crew had been caught in possession. He never got charged afik and never had a problem visiting the US coastline with his big ship
Boosted.
Don't bother ringing the Embassay. They keep you on hold on a premium rate late for ages and then say they can't advise you - they say the only way to know is to apply for a visa.
There are a couple of opinions about this, but the reality is that they're only after serious offenders, drug dealers etc. Just tick the right boxes on the visa waiver form on the plane and he should be OK.
One important point, especially if travelling with a bunch of mates, is don't make any smart remarks to the Immigration Officer.
There are a couple of opinions about this, but the reality is that they're only after serious offenders, drug dealers etc. Just tick the right boxes on the visa waiver form on the plane and he should be OK.
One important point, especially if travelling with a bunch of mates, is don't make any smart remarks to the Immigration Officer.
Don't know about that but it will soon be a USA requirement that you must have a UK ID card before much longer, and that they will also have access to the information on it............and knowing the feelings of many here on PH about that subject I don't suppose any of you will be going anyway.....
See the State Dept's website for the detail - the London US Embassy site is full of "may"'s and "possibly"'s which changes the meaning of statements (deliberately?):
www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#3
www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/ineligibilities/ineligibilities_1364.html
Gareth
>> Edited by g_attrill on Monday 27th March 20:46
>> Edited by g_attrill on Monday 27th March 20:46
www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#3
www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/ineligibilities/ineligibilities_1364.html
Gareth
>> Edited by g_attrill on Monday 27th March 20:46
>> Edited by g_attrill on Monday 27th March 20:46
Isn't it true that on the plane you fill out a visa waiver form, and if passport control want to check up on the criminal record of a british citizan they have to do so via the british embassy which is rather time consuming.
I've been told by various people they they "just go" and have never had any hassle.
In a similar situation myself except I've no real desire to visit the US right now!!
I've been told by various people they they "just go" and have never had any hassle.
In a similar situation myself except I've no real desire to visit the US right now!!
_dan_ said:
Isn't it true that on the plane you fill out a visa waiver form, and if passport control want to check up on the criminal record of a british citizan they have to do so via the british embassy which is rather time consuming.
I've been told by various people they they "just go" and have never had any hassle.
It's generally accepted that they can't check 'live', however they could just detain someone while checks were made.
The whole thing is very ambiguous, but there are people who think the US likes it like that, because they'd really prefer everyone to have a visa.
There is one set of wording that seems to indicate that if you've ever been arrested for anything then you need a visa. Another set seems to indicate that you need to have been convicted for a crime of 'moral turpitude' (that phrase apparently has no legal definition in the US, again, probably on purpose so it can be used to mean anything) and been sentenced to 5yrs then you need a visa.
There are stories of people getting visa's because they've got Careless Driving convictions and then the Immigration Officer laughing about it (that must thrill the person who went through the visa process!).
You should read the Disney forums - there are some hilarious panic stories on there from people who suddenly remember a few days before they're due to fly to the US that a Policeman spoke to them 20 yrs ago, so they think they'll be banned.
>> Edited by deva link on Tuesday 28th March 10:27
deva link said:
Isn't it true that on the plane you fill out a visa waiver form, and if passport control want to check up on the criminal record of a british citizan they have to do so via the british embassy which is rather time consuming.
I've been told by various people they they "just go" and have never had any hassle.
It's generally accepted that they can't check 'live', however they could just detain someone while checks were made.
The whole thing is very ambiguous, but there are people who think the US likes it like that, because they'd really prefer everyone to have a visa.
And until very recently, everyone had to have a visa. After WW2, the UK and USA signed an agreement to allow one another's citizens to enter without a visa. The UK implemented the agreement immediately, whereas it took the USA 47 years.
After 26 years of regular visits to the USA, I have learned one thing above all others; do not f**k with the INS. They have no sense of humour and they are judge, jury and executioner.
I know of many people who have been with a criminal record. It has never been an issue, they just filled in the visa waiver form on the plane. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Sometimes some things are best left unsaid.
Also i was once in New York with a group of British muslim friends post 9/11. Some of them got questioned going into the usa. Believe me when i tell you that their methods of confirming whether you have a criminal record let alone whether you're an international terrorist was laughable.
One bloke got questioned for 2 hours because he'd been to egypt and his firstname matched someone on their terrorist list. What was clear was that they could not simply press a few buttons and access his life history.
I also work a lot with children in england. A police check to identify whether someone has a criminal record here takes months.
Enjoy your holiday, I've always found the USA to be a very hospitable place. Their ordinary people are in no way a reflection of their foreign policy
Also i was once in New York with a group of British muslim friends post 9/11. Some of them got questioned going into the usa. Believe me when i tell you that their methods of confirming whether you have a criminal record let alone whether you're an international terrorist was laughable.
One bloke got questioned for 2 hours because he'd been to egypt and his firstname matched someone on their terrorist list. What was clear was that they could not simply press a few buttons and access his life history.
I also work a lot with children in england. A police check to identify whether someone has a criminal record here takes months.
Enjoy your holiday, I've always found the USA to be a very hospitable place. Their ordinary people are in no way a reflection of their foreign policy
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff