How it Works1 min ago
us visa question [another]
13 Answers
i successfully got my visa last week for america but have read that i could still get refuesed entry to the u.s.
As anybody ever been refused entry with a visa i have a caution for being drunk entering a sports stadium and am going to florida for a 3week family holiday i am worried that having a visa will make me a obvious target when i get to immigration
As anybody ever been refused entry with a visa i have a caution for being drunk entering a sports stadium and am going to florida for a 3week family holiday i am worried that having a visa will make me a obvious target when i get to immigration
Answers
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Target for what???
Yes people have been refused entry with visas - which are only the right to apply for entry, not a guarantee of it.
However, you will NOT be refused entry on the grounds of your criminal record - that's already been dismissed as irrelevant by granting you a visa.
The most common grounds for refusal are they think you are going to stay or work or otherwise not be a bona fide tourist.
Yes people have been refused entry with visas - which are only the right to apply for entry, not a guarantee of it.
However, you will NOT be refused entry on the grounds of your criminal record - that's already been dismissed as irrelevant by granting you a visa.
The most common grounds for refusal are they think you are going to stay or work or otherwise not be a bona fide tourist.
I think you are worrying far too much Ant. Really I do. Norman the Dog is right and I think Buenchico has posted a great deal on this. The US dont have access to Criminal Records from the UK (although if it was Drugs, counterfeit money etc I think they might have) ALTHOUGH PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE ME ON THAT because there are plenty of other folk on her a lot more in the know than I am.
I am ASHAMED to say that I have a criminal record for stupid stuff when I was young. Drunk and Disorderley, throwing a till across a kebab shop and it bouncing off the meat skewer, Criminal Damage to my neighbours flower pots and so and if anyone THINKS for one minute I am going to apply for a Visa to get into the US when I go to New York with my little girl ski-ing and back on the QM2 later this year then they can think again !
Just get on the plane honey and dont worry.
Mickey is waiting for you.
Have a GREAT TIME. I have been to Florida twice and once you get into Magic Kingdom, your whole life is forgotten, no mortgage, no worries, NOTHING ! It TRULY IS THAT MAGIC !
Katie. x
I am ASHAMED to say that I have a criminal record for stupid stuff when I was young. Drunk and Disorderley, throwing a till across a kebab shop and it bouncing off the meat skewer, Criminal Damage to my neighbours flower pots and so and if anyone THINKS for one minute I am going to apply for a Visa to get into the US when I go to New York with my little girl ski-ing and back on the QM2 later this year then they can think again !
Just get on the plane honey and dont worry.
Mickey is waiting for you.
Have a GREAT TIME. I have been to Florida twice and once you get into Magic Kingdom, your whole life is forgotten, no mortgage, no worries, NOTHING ! It TRULY IS THAT MAGIC !
Katie. x
we have just come back from Florida and my hubby had a visa for drink driving. We were sh*tting ourselves too about being refused and after queueing at immigration the woman studied his passport and visa and we thought our worst worries had come true when she said to me right go on through I want a word with your husband by himself! I stood there waiting while our 3 yr old said come on daddy! The woman asked him why he had a visa and when he said for drink driving she couldn't believe it and said what you mean you didn't do time or anything! She was really surprised and thankfully sent him straight through so I shouldn't think you will have any problem either
If you're that worried you can obtain a copy of whatever criminal record you have, for a tenner. Stuff that happened years ago that resulted in a caution may even be scrubbed off.
The kind of databases shared between the US and UK will only flag up serious offences involving violence or drugs that resulted in a long custodial sentence.
This time a year ago I was in EXACTLY the same position, visiting the US for the 1st time and worrying about a mis-demeanour I'd been charged with years ago. I turned to the AB strangely enough!
The kind of databases shared between the US and UK will only flag up serious offences involving violence or drugs that resulted in a long custodial sentence.
This time a year ago I was in EXACTLY the same position, visiting the US for the 1st time and worrying about a mis-demeanour I'd been charged with years ago. I turned to the AB strangely enough!
tigwig - drink driving is not a crime involving moral turpitude in the USA, and therefore it doesn't debar you from using the visa waiver scheme. Your hubby needn't have bothered.
The US Embassy in London (probably rightly) do not trust the British travelling public to be able to distinguish different types of crime and therefore advise (and it is advise - it's not US law) all those with a record to apply for a visa.
They then give the visa if the crime doesn't involve moral turpitude (and a few other things). If it does, then they refuse the visa unless there are mitigating circumstances - such as it was a long time ago, committed as a juvenile, etc
I'd say it was a money making scam except I'm sure they don't really want the bother of issuing all those unnecessary visas. But it's taking playing safe to the extreme.
The US Embassy in London (probably rightly) do not trust the British travelling public to be able to distinguish different types of crime and therefore advise (and it is advise - it's not US law) all those with a record to apply for a visa.
They then give the visa if the crime doesn't involve moral turpitude (and a few other things). If it does, then they refuse the visa unless there are mitigating circumstances - such as it was a long time ago, committed as a juvenile, etc
I'd say it was a money making scam except I'm sure they don't really want the bother of issuing all those unnecessary visas. But it's taking playing safe to the extreme.
I got a visa for my trip last year - NTdog will love this - only because of a stupid 'drunk and disorderly' years ago.
I know, I know, shouldn't have bothered, but like everyone else, I was worried as the kids would be with me etc.
As posted above, I was nervous about being asked 'why the visa' and took the Subject Access statement with me.
Border Control took the 4 passports, and of course, mine went through last.....he never so much as batted an eyelid at the visa. No extra questions, awkward pauses, etc.
Other than the usual where are you staying, how long etc, that was it.
You'll be fine.
I'd suggest taking the SA paperwork in your hand luggage, just to produce if you did get asked anything awkward, but CBP know that the US embassy have already done that side of things.
The irony is, it's guys like us who apply for visa's, and the ones who've done time probably just stroll through using the VW, but there you go.
I know, I know, shouldn't have bothered, but like everyone else, I was worried as the kids would be with me etc.
As posted above, I was nervous about being asked 'why the visa' and took the Subject Access statement with me.
Border Control took the 4 passports, and of course, mine went through last.....he never so much as batted an eyelid at the visa. No extra questions, awkward pauses, etc.
Other than the usual where are you staying, how long etc, that was it.
You'll be fine.
I'd suggest taking the SA paperwork in your hand luggage, just to produce if you did get asked anything awkward, but CBP know that the US embassy have already done that side of things.
The irony is, it's guys like us who apply for visa's, and the ones who've done time probably just stroll through using the VW, but there you go.
Hey Dzugs answers got me thinking.
If the US embassy actually printed a list of crimes for which a viss MUST be applied for, rahther then using the MTurp excuse, we'd all know.
Then, we don't clog the system with pointless applications, and border control don't get loads of travellers with visa's to worry about.
Mind you, when I got mine, there was a lot of $100 Bill's (and Fred, George's, Dave's and Sue's) waiting in line for an appointment.
I wonder how many $1000's they make each day....plus the �1.50 a min phone service.
If the US embassy actually printed a list of crimes for which a viss MUST be applied for, rahther then using the MTurp excuse, we'd all know.
Then, we don't clog the system with pointless applications, and border control don't get loads of travellers with visa's to worry about.
Mind you, when I got mine, there was a lot of $100 Bill's (and Fred, George's, Dave's and Sue's) waiting in line for an appointment.
I wonder how many $1000's they make each day....plus the �1.50 a min phone service.
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