visa entry to usa

[pollykettle5]

my friend has a minor conviction for fighting, if he fills in an on line visa waiver will he safely get entry into the usa ?
there isnt time to go through the lengthy Visa application.

[janetla]

Depends upon how long ago this was, or what the sentence if any was. If you go ahead and fill in the online visa waiver application you will soon find out if this information is available to the us authorities. Usually the acceptance is immediate unless there is a problem and then it will say more information is needed. Be aware though, just because the online application is successful, this does not guarantee entry into the US. This is always at the discretion of the immigration officer when you arrive. I would say though, that the things they are most concerned about are drugs and terrorism, and these are the only convictions that the us authorities definitely have access to.

[pollykettle5]

he has not been sentenced yet , expecting to get a fine . we are away in june my daughters wedding.If he gets as far as usa is he likely to be stopped there? do they have that sort of imfo ?

[dzug]

Sorry 'minor' doesn't hack it. The test is whether it is moral turpitude* or not, which is not at all the same thing. (*or drug related or a war crime, or being a commie or a fascist all of which are probably moral turpitude in US eyes anyway)

'Fighting' is not normally moral turpitude.

So if he ticks the NO box on the ESTA form he will be telling the truth and should get in, no problems. He should also remember to tick the NO box on the green form on the plane.

And no, the US authorities do not have access to every minor criminal record in the UK. Terrorists yes, sex offenders probably, anyone bad enough to get on interpol's list, yes.

[pollykettle5]

thankyou for your help