Brit with criminal record applying for US spousal visa

[jsr]

I've been arrested tree times. I received fines on two occasions for drunk and disorderly conduct, and a formal police caution on one occasion after admitting a common assault charge. I was told at the time that the caution does not qualify as a conviction.

My girlfriend is a U.S. citizen and we plan to marry.

What are my chances; am I dreaming that they let people with my criminal history live in the U.S.; or am I small-fry compared to who they regularly let in?

I was always under the impression that it was convictions that mattered, but I discovered today that's not the case so I'm worried.

Any general help or advice is much appreciated.

Thank-you.

[dzug]

Visas are routinely denied to those with a record of crimes involving moral turpitude - which yours do not.

Your stumbling block (if any) will be your drink problem (and denying that you have one will be taken as evidence that you do) - they tend to be fussy about granting residency visas to those with such a history. You MIGHT have to produce some evidence that you have reformed.