Can someone please advise me on the rules/restrictions about visiting America when you have a conviction (not serious) on your record from 30 off years ago? (not me, someone else).
Thanks in advance.
Rules/restrictions about visiting America when you have a conviction!
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Joanne
Call the American embassy in London as ask, they’re quite helpful, also it’s worse if you don’t declare it as someone I knew got sent right back on the next flight out.
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Steph
Someone I know was denied entry (ESTA and Visa) for a juvenile conviction of theft, and he was told he can't appeal. That conviction was 40 years old.
Never assume and always check as you just don't know.
Never assume and always check as you just don't know.
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Ashleigh
You have to love the country with more crimes per capita than anywhere else in the world refuses people for decades old non violent crime.
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Lara
I’m a dual USA/UK citizen and my advice is to contact the US embassy in London. They’re the ones who know the immigration rules and can best advise.
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Kamran
I went USA in 2017.
You have to apply online for ESTA - their visa cost about £7.
Declare everything on there and wait for their response.
Visa last for few years.
Approve it then book tickets.
You have to apply online for ESTA - their visa cost about £7.
Declare everything on there and wait for their response.
Visa last for few years.
Approve it then book tickets.
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Toni
Is it a spent conviction? You don't have to declare it if it is. If it is not spent or a lifelong register for example just be honest doesn't always mean a no x
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Dianne
It depends what the conviction was for.
There is quite a lot of misleading advice here however.
A couple of things:
There is quite a lot of misleading advice here however.
A couple of things:
- In the eyes of the US a conviction is never spent.
- If you call the embassy for any reason in regard to ESTA, they will tell you to get a Visa.
- The CBP are the ones who will advise you properly in regard to ESTA and your eligibility to travel on one.
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Claire
My husband had twoc from when he was 16 he's now 50, 2x now we have been to America, had to declare on the esta visa, got denied, applied at the American Embassy in London, got declined (for a cost of 250, after paying for the acro report, the embassy visit, the parking) it was sent to America where the first time we got a yrs visa, the 2nd time we applied again, got denied went through it all again and after it got sent to the American consulate in USA we got a 5 yr visa.
All I will say is get the visa loooong before u book, the first holiday I had to go without him as his passport/visa didn't turn up in time, the 2nd time they still threatened to turn him back at the American boarder.
It takes up to 6 months for the visa to come back from USA as well and no way of rushing it it's stressful.
All I will say is get the visa loooong before u book, the first holiday I had to go without him as his passport/visa didn't turn up in time, the 2nd time they still threatened to turn him back at the American boarder.
It takes up to 6 months for the visa to come back from USA as well and no way of rushing it it's stressful.
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Ariadne
Even something minor will get found out - even if you do not declare it. You (they) would need to apply for a full visa but I’m not sure what the time frame would be - certainly takes longer than an ESTA that you do online and costs more.
But only way.
But only way.