holidaying in us with a past conviction

[dannibaby09]

Hi just a few questions I was hoping someone could help me on. Myself and partner want to go to usa in april 2012 for 3 weeks to explore and get hitched. Problem being a drunken arguement over five years ago ended up with my partner getting a conviction of breach of the peace and assault to injury. As u can imagine this was something silly that got out of control. Nothing like this has ever happened since and was his first conviction. It has been 5 year since conviction come march 2012. I have been advised a few different things to do. One is to just wing it and go to states and answer no to all the visa waiver form questions. Another is to get an interview for the us embassy and plead his case. I want to know does anyone know of anyone who winged it and anyone that actually got granted the visa under similair circumstances? Any advice would b greatly apprecaited. I'm just worried if we go thru all the hassle of a visa to then b rejected it would b in the bck of my head what if iwe had winged it. I know that customs can only look at a persons criminal record individually if stopped and they thought suspicious. Help!!

[TWR]

I would think the form of action would to contact the US Embassy in London, they will give you the right answer Danni.

[TWR]

U.S. Embassy, London

Mailing Address
24 Grosvenor Square
London, W1A 1AE
United Kingdom

[dzug2]

Well I can tell you what the Embassy's answer will be - apply for a visa. They are not allowed to give advice on individual cases unless you do.

[dzug2]

You might find this helpful - or totally confusing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_turpitude

[mrs.chappie]

I thought Customs couldn't look up criminal records (unless you are on some sort of "Escaped/Wanted Criminal" type of list).

[jno]

I haven't winged it because I have nothing to wing; but nobody's ever challenged me about anything, all I've ever been asked is how long I'm staying. I always have return to tickets to hand but nobody's ever actually asked to see them. Does your partner actually look like a suspicious, or nervous, type?

[MarkRae]

Customs have no access to the Police National Computer. They have access to a list of wanted criminals, suspected terrorists, etc.

Moral turpitude can indeed be baffling. In theory, anyone who has fathered or given birth to a child out of wedlock is guilty of it, yet a conviction for possession of paedophile material wouldn't (necessarily) be.

The question of entry to the US with this conviction or that conviction used to come up on here with alarming regularity, though hasn't for a while. The general consensus of opinion seems to be that if you complete your visa waiver application and say that you don't have a criminal record, you'll get away with it.

However, by far the safest course of action would be to apply to the US Embassy for a visa, and tell the truth on the application form.

[suz2]

Hi
I was charged and convicted with being in charge of a vehicle whilst over the drink driving limit five years ago. Had 10 points on my licence but no ban. I was advised to inform the U.S. Embassy. Two interviews, one medical and about £500 later I was granted a visa. In hindsight if I was travelling on my own I would have risked it, but travelling in a group of four couldn't have gambled with spoiling their holiday. (I also think I might have had a heart attack on the way over with worrying about it!!)

[AlBags]

Chance it .. or don't go at all.
That's what I would do.
Applying for Visa will probably take longer if you disclose .. and you'll miss the deadline.