US visas

[Dee Sa]

for all you people who keep asking the same question over & over in this section----- pls read Gill Charlon's column in today's travel section of the Daily Mail about somebeing being refused at their US point of entry.the moral being once you have declared something to the US authorities it stays on your file forever.
So if you have declared something over the phone to them [ US Embassy in the UK], one little question about should you or should you not apply at the Embassy they have it on file and this could happen to you.

[VHG]

I think the persons name is Gill Charlton, and it is the Daily Telegraph not the Daily Mail.

Apart from that you are spot on.

I think this is the article

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/columnists/g illcharlton/4600633/Ask-Gill-criminal-records- and-US-visas-ski-insurance-XL-payouts-and-Ital y-in-bloom.html

[Dee Sa]

many tks VHG for pointing out my silly mistakes, put it down to a "senior moment".
Dee

[munchie63]

interesting article, and I didn't buy the paper, so thanks.

I applied for a visa in 2006.....due to a stupid 'obstructing the highway offence' (not moving from outside a pub when asked to actually), which took place in '85.

although it was a petty (and stupid) thing, 20 years before, I didn't want to be refused and see my kids in tears at Orlando, and a Disney trip ruined.

they almost grinned when they read my details at the embassy, considering it like 'jaywalking' and I had a visa inside 3 days. panic and worry over.

Thing is, after I rang the embassy helpline - who won't discuss or advise if an offence counts as morale turpitude or not - I didn't know if I should bother to go for the interview or not.
Good job I did though eh.

[Dee Sa]

tks for input munchie 63, luckily I have never had to do this, but I truly believe that if you phone them to ask anything, then your details go on their computer and it shows up when you enter the US, the moral being if you must ring them do it phone someone elses phone, not from home and invent a name !There was a nice guy on a quiz show last year who said he & 30 odd mates went to see the Hatton fight and only 3 got in, the rest were sent back on arrival !!!!!
I think you did the right thing in your case and at least you had peace of mind.
Once many years ago we took my grandaughter age 6 to Orlando, I had just remarried so my passport hadnt been changed, Portuguese hubbys was obviosly a different name and so was the grandchild, on arrival at immigration they took us and "grilled" us and obviously wanted to see if we really were of " one family" in the end my grandaughter said in really sweet voice " excuse me but I think your rather nosey and in a minute my grandma is going to explode and my daddy says she has a wicked temper" after that they just laughed and said go- your are definately from one family.
I am off to Vegas in April and the new form you have to fill in before you leave was done by the travel agent in minutes.
best regards Dee