Do the USA have instant access to Uk criminal records?

[jainey]

Weve heard a mixture of stories of people traveling to America with a criminal record who have got in no problem even one from last year, but were also hearing u need a visa. I was just wondering when the Usa take your finger print and eye scan at the border gates does your criminal record automatically flag up on their screens becuase in my mind i just cant see how that can be feasable if it takes numerous week for the american embassey to get your information. We know about the visa route but we just want to know what r the chances of getting in without a visa.

[JonnoGenie]

They have access to your records if you are a known murderer or terrorist, genocidal maniac etc.

If it is minor they do not. The visa waiver form asks you to declare if you have been involved in 'moral turpitude' or crimes that amounted to 5 years or more sentencing. Meanwhile the US embassy say you have to get a visa if you have ever been arrested for anything, ANYTHING (i.e. dropping a fag but in the street). Go figure.

I'd say if the issue is minor, forget about it.... they have no way of knowing...

[jainey]

So nothing flags up on their screens when they scan your eye, finger print or passport?

[munchie63]

okay, my worry would be that something bad happens between now and when you travel (and I really hope it doesn't) and in order to fight the threat of terror, we start sharing more info with each other. We already have a 'special bond' with the US. In theory, we could easily grant them access to our records.

I'm sure you could walk straight through, without a problem.
Question is, do you want to risk it.

[jainey]

To be honest we have no chioce as the holiday is already booked for early febuary and there is no way we would get a visa in time to travel. We are prepared for the fact that he might get turned away but i just wanted to know what was the likely hood of this happening, because as mentioned previously we know people who have got in no problem with criminal records. It just the travel agents have put the doubt in our minds.

[JonnoGenie]

The immigration people have 'IBIS' in front of them. It is US crime records and US immigration records. Google for more on that if you wish.,.. I'm no expert. I have a DUI charge from the early 90's (in the US) on my record, and have been in 6 times this past year, they know it is there, they ask me about it, I get in. Now for other reasons I have to get a visa and find out I need a visa anyway becuase of the DUI.... confused etc...

[Memore]

I know US very hot on drug convictions but dont know about the link to records etc - I been US twice and had the ey scan thing but I dont have a record but not sure how they could connect to anything unless you had eye scan done in England which would connect you - if you get what I mean -LA airport security was very tight when I went there if I was you I would check - depends how long you there for an where you from UK get in with no visa if short trip I didnt need one for New York two years ago - my luggage was also emptied out at heathrow before flight to uS

[Bluestar69]

how did u get on

[jainey]

We got in no problem, he obviously just ticked no to every answer on the form and there was no problem.

[bootneck88]

Ok here it is from the horse's mouth! Last year my friend got himself involved in a bar fight and i did what i will always do regardless... So basically to cut a long story short i injured the other person and i was charged with causing Grievous Bodily Harm without intend for which i am certainly not proud of by any means. I received a 51 week custodial sentence suspended for 2 years of which i have only served 5 months currently.

I only found out a couple of weeks prior to leaving about the whole ESTA and criminal record EPIC which is very well widely discussed and does not make anything clear what so ever! So just as you probably are, i spent hours reading every ****ing thread and forum on it until my head went numb worrying whether i would be able to pass immigration. And after reading i still couldn't come to a conclusion so i just decided i would be better off seeing for myself. The worst that could happen is get put on the next flight home and loose my holiday which i obviously would of lost if i hadn't tried my luck anyway!

Luckily i had a friend of mine put my mind at easy before the flight. He had just returned from Miami with a group of friends who entered on a ESTA. Two of his friends had been in prison before and they entered in to the country no problem with no questions asked. So now i was confident :D.

At the airport there customs are exactly the same as if traveling back in to Manchester airport except they like to take a scan of the fingers on your right hand and take a picture of your beautiful face :P......

I really don't know what i was so worried about, i walked straight through no questions asked as do many other UK citizens who have criminal records. That fact of the matter is US customs dont have routine access to EU criminal records. There is no eye scan is simply a photograph (it isn't MI5). Also the finger prints are not connected to any database, its just for there records in case you de

[bootneck88]

Ok here it is from the horse's mouth! Last year my friend got himself involved in a bar fight and i did what i will always do regardless... So basically to cut a long story short i injured the other person and i was charged with causing Grievous Bodily Harm without intend for which i am certainly not proud of by any means. I received a 51 week custodial sentence suspended for 2 years of which i have only served 5 months currently.

I only found out a couple of weeks prior to leaving about the whole ESTA and criminal record EPIC which is very well widely discussed and does not make anything clear what so ever! So just as you probably are, i spent hours reading every ****ing thread and forum on it until my head went numb worrying whether i would be able to pass immigration. And after reading i still couldn't come to a conclusion so i just decided i would be better off seeing for myself. The worst that could happen is get put on the next flight home and loose my holiday which i obviously would of lost if i hadn't tried my luck anyway!

Luckily i had a friend of mine put my mind at easy before the flight. He had just returned from Miami with a group of friends who entered on a ESTA. Two of his friends had been in prison before and they entered in to the country no problem with no questions asked. So now i was confident :D.

At the airport there customs are exactly the same as if traveling back in to Manchester airport except they like to take a scan of the fingers on your right hand and take a picture of your beautiful face :P......

I really don't know what i was so worried about, i walked straight through no questions asked as do many other UK citizens who have criminal records. That fact of the matter is US customs dont have routine access to EU criminal records. They will only have the details of serious criminal involved in serious crimes. There are no eye scanners just pictures and the finger prints are not connected

[spindle76]

Hi, Bootneck88.
how long ago was your crime?.....
thanks

[spindle76]

Hi, my friend and i are going to New york in June, however he has just been arrested and charged with common assault. We've both already have had our ESTA approved so where does he stand?.........
Thanks...