Travelling to the USA with a conviction?

[ann-d]

I want to travel to the USA for two weeks but have been arrested a couple of times eight years ago my last conviction was 6 years ago (through research they are under the crimes of moral turpitude). During this time I have changed my outlook of life and changed for the better.
My question is would I be able to travel?. I have called the US embassy and was advised to book a appointment whist getting a police certificate. what I want to know has anyone been allowed entrance with a conviction and gone through this process?
Thanks you

[society]

http://tinyurl.com/2767yzg

[Buenchico]

What I think Society is trying to say is that this question isn't exactly new! Here's a summary of the information you'll find in those links:

1. The USA doesn't recognise the UK's Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. So no conviction is ever regarded as 'spent'.
2. The rules on the US embassy website state that anyone who has ever been arrested (even if totally innocent) or convicted of an offence is ineligible to enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Program and consequently MUST apply for a visa).
3. The USA's Immigration & Nationality Act AUTOMATICALLY bars anyone who has committed an act of 'moral turpitude' from entering the USA. (There are minor exceptions but they don't apply here). So, in the first instance, the US embassy MUST refuse to issue you a visa.
4. Under those circumstances your application can then be forwarded to Washington as an application for a 'waiver of permanent ineligibility'. If that happens, the MINIMUM time before you'll hear whether you'll get a visa is 5 MONTHS. However it can be much longer. (Someone on AB waited 15 months before being refused a visa because of two offences of driving with no insurance).
5. The USA has no direct access to UK criminal records, so some people simply 'forget' about their convictions and attempt to enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (with an ESTA).
6. Several people have posted on here to state that they've entered the USA without any problems, with undeclared criminal convictions, by that route. However there have been reports in the travel press of some people who've been 'found out' having some very unpleasant experiences upon arrival in the USA.

Chris

[R1Geezer]

Chris is spelt it out very well.

To summarise, you have 2 choices, apply for Visa waiver and lie. Or go through a visa application and run the risk of being refused. US does not have access to our records, yet, so unless they no by other means you'll probably get away with it.

[kinell]

yes, make sure that no-one who bears you any ill feelings finds out about your impending visit

if they contacted the us embassy you might indeed have a big shock at us immigration and may find yourself at worst on your way home immediately

us immigration officers are not known for their good humour or flexibility

[Dee Sa]

dont just take a chance, if you have already phoned the embassy and given them your details you will be placed on their computer records, had you not done so you stood a good chance of just getting through but not now.Go through the proper channels and if it was a drug conviction you stand no chance of goinganyway.

[Dee Sa]

forgot to add always listen to Chris [ Buenchico] he knows best of all and is very helpful to everyone
Dee