getting entry to the usa with a conviction

[crabbitwire]

i have a conviction for being caught in posession of about 3grams of cocaine and was fined £100 for it,can or will it prevent me going to las vegas for a weeks holiday?

[tigwig]

My husband was done for drink driving around 10 years ago so before I knew about the answerbank to get advice about this lol he applied for a visa. We went to London for the day, I was forbidden from going near the building and he had to line up several times outside and inside was asked a few questions and granted a visa. We had to pay more money too cant even remember now. The whole thing in my opinion is just a big rip off. With our travelling costs the whole thing must have worked out over £200. When we arrived in Florida, we all went through immigration and they kept him back! I was absolutely sh*tting myself. The woman asked him why he had a visa and couldnt believe it when he toldher the reason. She said "what you havent done no time?" He said no thats it. She sent him through shaking her head so they must think its crap too.
Its very easy for me to say but I think you should just lie and go. What are the chances of them knowing about a petty little crime like that? They must have far bigger things to think about. There's no point applying for a visa cos you wont get one.

[crabbitwire]

cheers tigwig ;-)

[society]

Very interesting conversation here. Please come back and let us know if you got through and went on to Vegas. Good luck!

[mazamoo]

my nephew had to have a visa at 14 years old, he broke some kids tennis racket and was done for crimmial dammage. it was all on the border mans computer when we got to the states. when i filled in the forms it asked if he had ever participated in genocide!!! ha!

[dzug2]

<My husband was done for drink driving around 10 years ago so before I knew about the answerbank to get advice about this lol he applied for a visa>

Drink Driving believe it or not is NOT a crime of moral turpitude in the US so legally he didn't need to apply for a visa.......

[tigwig]

Yes dzug I know that now but didnt at the time as everyone is told to get one. Thats why the whole thing is just a money making scam. Like it doesnt cost enough to go on holiday there!

[munchie63]

2 interesting replies here. dring driving and crimes committed as a minor wouldn't normally prevent entry.
I went down the visa route 3 years ago, and it cost me $100.

As much of a stressful time it was for me (have to say the embassy official was great) it was better than leaving my wife and kids in Florida if I got knocked back.


I don't see any of it as a rip off. If the US wish to protect themselves and request those of us with crminal records, however minor, to get a visa, it's their choice. We don't have to go there.
I would like to see some quid pro quo though, and have some US citizens queue for an hour at Heathrow, be quizzed about their visit, and see how they like it.

[dzug2]

<and have some US citizens queue for an hour at Heathrow, be quizzed about their visit, and see how they like it>>

That's exactly what happens when they arrive. Have you never seen the non-EU passport queues at busy times?

And they do on occasion get turned away - most commonly for not being able to convince the immigration officer that they have sufficient funds, are not going to work or that they have proper plans to return home.

[jake-the-peg]

Really dzug2 - I have it on good authority from the guys on the News threads that they all get sheparded through Heathrow in Rolls Royces and escorted directly to the benefit claims office!