Travelling to the USA

[ChristopherT]

Does anyone know anybody who has got into America for a holiday with a criminal conviction (i.e. assault).Is it worth chancing your luck getting in or prudent to go to the Embassy and chance your luck there.

[louadams6]

i know someone who had served time some years ago and went to the states last year and got in ok, nothing said and ive also seen it on here before that people have just chanced it and got in ok. If you go to the embassy and declare it then they will know for sure! I read the regulations on the american embassy website and apparently you are supposed to have a visa even if youve been arrested and not convicted and even if you have driving offences against you, which im sure not everyone realises and therefore they dont declare. Until i read the regulations I always thought as long as you can answer No to all the questions on the green visa waiver form they give you on the flight, for entry into the states then that was ok. Think it really depends on your nerve!

[jno]

in theory I believe the UK government is sharing its records with the Americans - shopping drivers who exceeded the speed limit years ago, in the name of the 'war against terror'. In practice, I doubt whether anyone has the time or inclination to trudge through any of this. I'd do as louadams says, and do try not to sweat when you go through immigration. (If you are apt to feel panicky, perhaps your GP would give you a tranquilliser?)

[louadams6]

thats interesting to hear jno, i did read a few weeks ago that when a flight leaves the U.K. for the States they are obliged to inform the U.S who is on the plane within a certain time of it taking off, but didnt realise it went any further than that. Just thought it was so the U.S could check their database...

[jno]

can't remember where I read that lou - it must have been about a year ago, so I can't vouch for the truth of it. But given what Blair will do for Bush, it sounds plausible enough.

[louadams6]

lol, yes i agree!

[Dom Tuk]

If you are on a terrorist watch list then you will be known to them. Anyone else with the criminal record/driving offence etc is not.....NOT.....known to the US authorities.

[petrol]

<outs Dom Tuk as CIA operative on AB>

You have to remember that all of this is for a PURPOSE, ie to keep criminality OUT of the USA. If they didn't employ rigorous checks, then what would happen to their country? That's right. It would descend into violence, gun crime, gangs, corruption, drug trafficking.

Waiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit a minute!!!!!!!!!!

[bloodycheap]

I was under the impression you could NEVER enter the USA if you have any DRUG conviction. I assumed assault was permitted as long as you have never murdered anyone or as serious.