US J-1 Visa Police Caution Aged 14

[Ducky23]

I\\\\\\\'m wondering about the possibility of being denied a J-1 visa as I have a caution for a minor offence when I was aged 14 (9 years ago) for shoplifting. I have a placement in the US to work for a year but I am worried that the checks will point it out if I don\\\\\\\'t declare it. And if I do, consequently, does that mean I will always have to apply for a visa every time when I travel to the US as a tourist?? Also, how thorough are the checks for visa application? I know a lot of people who travelled to the US on a tourist visa fine, despite having been arrested/ cautioned, although not convicted. But on a J-1..I fear this could be different.

[dzug]

It should not affect your visa application, given that it happened some time ago when you were a minor.

If you apply for a tourist visa (B2) anytime in future you should also declare it. It will not affect the application.

If you apply for a visa waiver/ESTA (which is NOT the same thing as a tourist visa - it sounds as though you may be uncertain of the difference) - you don't need to declare it - a single crime committed as a minor does not consitute 'moral turpitude'. If you do declare it you'll be refused the ESTA and told to apply for a visa.