visa for the usa if you have a criminal record

[princessdm]

My friend has a criminl record for committing fraud it was about 3 years ago and she was made to do community service. we are looking on going to new york for a short break but we are not to sure what to do and if she is able to go there at all and would like to know before we book it as i have no criminal record.

[redcrx]

Fruad is one of the convictions that would prevent her from the visa waiver / ESTA

She could apply to the embassy but i wouldnt go booking that holiday just yet

I reckon the fear of missing out on holidays to the USA would stop many a criminal in their tracks. Perhaps the police should run a series of educational videos, it may cut crime statistics dramatically.

[dzug]

As redcrx says, fraud, being a crime involving moral turpitude, debars your friend from legally using the visa waiver/ESTA scheme to enter the USA.

And given that it's recent, it's probable that she would be refused a visa if she applied through the Embassy. The only way to find out is to apply unfortunately, which is expensive and time consuming.

[VHG]

Best thing to do is "pretend" the fraud never happened and say nothing.

The US have no access to our criminal database, so you are problably OK.

[deggers316]

i wouldn't go along with vhg 's recommendation
best to contact us embassy ask them,(if you can get past all the button pressing!)

[dzug]

<< i wouldn't go along with vhg 's recommendation
best to contact us embassy ask them,(if you can get past all the button pressing!) >>

They are not going to tell you much - it will either be don't bother applying - or 'apply for a visa and we will decide'

[dzug]

<<The US have no access to our criminal database>>

That's not the issue though - the guy who checks your passport won't have access, sure. He WILL though have a list of passports/people the US are 'interested' in which will include input from us of passports/people WE are 'interested' in. What prompts inclusion in that list I've no idea.

But his boss - or his bosses boss, or his boss, will by going through the right channels, be able to find out anything they like about you, maybe not by directly interrogating the database, but by asking the right person here.

And if you arouse enough suspicion when you arrive, they are going to ask.

[munchie63]

the embassy will tell you to apply.
I had a very minor offence - failin got move on when asked to do so by an officer - resulting in a night in the cells and a fine. It happened 20 years previously.
I didn't want to risk ruining the kids dream hol to disney, so rang the embassy. all they told me (at £1.50p/min) was if you've been arrested you need to apply.
At the embassy the woman barely managed to keep a straight face when she asked about my offences. Needless to say, visa issued inside 3 days.

apply or don't, but I really wouldn't bother ringing the embassy advice line.