Travel with conviction

[booboo29]

i am hopeing to travel to america (florida) with my family in october 2007 but have a criminal conviction for supplying class A drugs back in 2004 how do i go about getting a visa into the usa for my 2 week holiday and what are my chances getting it?

[dzug]

You apply to the US Embassy in London where you will need to attend an interview and pay a US$100 fee.

You will at the same time be applying for a waiver - not a visa waiver, but a waiver of the law that says you cannot visit the US. They will have to refer this decision back to Washington so it may take months.

No real idea of your chances - on the grounds that they dislike drug offences and that it's fairly recent I'd guess there was a good chance you will be turned down. You don't get the fee back if you are - it's for applying. The visa itself is free.

[Rock'n'Roll]

Must agree with Dzug, convictions for drug offences are usually a no-no. Before paying money out I think i'd be checking some US law administration sites or even a travel agent should have some kind of information

[GSM7554]

you have absolutely no chance of getting a visa,they are notified of any class a drug convictions

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

Like others, I think that your chances of getting hold of a US visa are probably almost zero. If you want to try, here's what to do:

1. Complete the electronic visa application form, DS156. Print it out, sign and date it:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ electronic.html

2. If you're male and between 16 and 45 years of age, download the additional form, DS157. Print it out and complete it:
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/77 69.pdf

3. Download the Police National Computer Subject Access form. Complete it and send it to your local police force. Await arrival of the information:
http://www.met.police.uk/dataprotection/forms/ 3019b_rev.pdf

4. If you're a current drug user, or if you're HIV positive, obtain a letter from your doctor:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ add_mental.html
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ add_hiv.html

5. Get hold of a passport photograph, meeting these requirements:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/ photo.html

6. Phone [phone] to make an appointment to attend the US embassy for interview (Calls are charged at �1.20 per minute from landlines, possibly more from mobiles. Lines are open 0800-2000 from Monday to Friday and 0900-1600 on Saturdays). When you phone you should have a credit

[Buenchico]

7. Attend the US embassy, in London, for your interview. Take your passport and all of the paperwork referred to in paragraphs 1 to 5, above. Also take 'evidence of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in the United States' and evidence of some 'ties' with the UK. (i.e. evidence that you're likely to return here, such as proof of employment, property ownership, etc).

8. While at the embassy, pay an additional �10 charge to purchase a pre-paid envelope for the return of your passport (by courier). This payment can be made in cash or by either debit or credit card. According to the embassy wesite, the interview process takes 'two to three hours' but several contributors to AB have suggested that it would be wiser to allow for most of a working day.

9. Wait to hear the outcome of your application. Note that the US embassy website quotes a MINIMUM time of 14-16 weeks for the process. Allowing additional time to get hold of the information from your local police force, plus the time waiting for your interview appointment, means that it would be wisest to allow at least 5 months from start to finish.

NB: From the date of your interview until you hear the result of your application, your passport will be held by the US authorities. This means that you will effectively be barred from travelling outside of the UK for several months. Don't schedule your interview in the months prior to an overseas holiday!

Chris

[Buenchico]

Aargh! AB's knocked off a bit of paragraph 6!

It should read as follows:
6. Phone [phone] to make an appointment to attend the US embassy for interview (Calls are charged at �1.20 per minute from landlines, possibly more from mobiles. Lines are open 0800-2000 from Monday to Friday and 0900-1600 on Saturdays). When you phone you should have a credit card and your passport to hand. (NB: It must be a credit card. Debit cards are not accepted). You will be given a date and time for your interview and probably asked to pay the $100 application fee. (This is a trial payment scheme. If you're not asked to take part, you'll have to wait until you attend for interview. You then collect a form from the embassy and take it, with payment, to a nearby bank).

[Sorry about the confusion!]

Chris

[Dee Sa]

I am sorry but you wont be allowed in.
Dont buy a ticket until you try for US embassy clearance but your chances are very low, and get an appt soon as you have to wait for the appt.
, forget one piece of paperwork and you will have to start again.
Try Mexico they are not so strict.

[keri3105]

hello, I have a criminal conviction for drugs and served a 4 year prison sentence for this 11 years ago. I applied for a visa and was granted one last year for 6 months. Not sure if they truly do know that you have your conviction but I asnt prepaired to take the chance so I apllied in the correct manner. Good Luck

[mushood]

I am so worried that i be refused american visa cause back in 2008 ex wife wouldnt let me see my children twice and i broke my injunctions twice and i texted her and got arrested three times in 2008 . two were fines i paid or goto prison for a day and the other one was 2 years Probation from 2008 to 2010 thats all. will i be able to get my visa do you think. really is has got me so worried. if anyone can help i be greatful thank you