USA Visa

The black art of moving from A to B on foreign soil
Acmeff
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Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:01 am

USA Visa

Post by Acmeff »

Hi Guys
I last went to the States in 2001 and things have changed a lot since then, I am told that as I have a criminal record from the 1970's that I now have to go to the embassy in London, have an interview before I am allowed a visa. Has anyone on here had to go through this or am I the only criminal that considering riding there bike over there . :)
AndyB
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Re: USA Visa

Post by AndyB »

I wouldn't even tell them. Do you think they do a thorough background check on everyone who applies to visit their country?
mark1150
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Re: USA Visa

Post by mark1150 »

Does having Des O'Connors greatest hits constitute having a criminal record?
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Acmeff
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Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:01 am

Re: USA Visa

Post by Acmeff »

Thats OK in theory but if I've gone to the expense of shipping my bike out for a three month trip and sorted all the other stuff and they find out at immigration, its a lot of a chance to take.
west coast ratter
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Re: USA Visa

Post by west coast ratter »

I'd tell them cos if you lie/dont tell them and they find out you could be banned permanently from entering the US or held to see what other things you couldve lied about ..
herman
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Re: USA Visa

Post by herman »

Not my business and I'm not asking but if it was drug related then you may well struggle to get a visa.
The secret of a long life is knowing when its time to go.
SteveW
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Re: USA Visa

Post by SteveW »

If your record is for minor offences not involving " Moral Perpetude" and you didn't go to prison then you'll be fine.
stevedo
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Re: USA Visa

Post by stevedo »

I would definitely tell them. I'm sure they knew a lot more about us when we went for "interview" in London than we might have thought before going. If you mislead them you may exclude yourself from ever visiting. A friends daughter overstayed her work visa, she was doing charity work and overlooked getting her visa renewed when she needed to stay a bit longer and has never been allowed to return. It's been 15 years since the incident.

I'd go for a B2 visa, which we have, that lasts for 10 years and allows you to stay for up to 6 months in a single visit. Get that in advance of shipping the bike, arranging flights etc and you expose yourself to very little financial risk.
Steve
AndyB
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Re: USA Visa

Post by AndyB »

It depends on what the offence was, what the punishment was and how much publicity you got at the time.

I wouldn't bother telling them if I'd been done for 1/4 ounce of resin when I was 18 in the mid '70s (I wasn't) and more to the point, how would they find out?
JMoandpiglet
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Re: USA Visa

Post by JMoandpiglet »

fwiw. I totally agree with West Coast Ratter and Stevedo - you don't want to mess about with Homeland security, they will f**k you up - just because they can.

Stevedo also makes a good suggestion regarding the B2 visa - it is far more flexible (and you don't have to mess about with ESTA each time you go). If you want a B2 visa you'll have to go to the embassy anyway, so it's no big deal.

As you say, it's a hell of a risk if you decide not to mention it, ship your bike over, then you get turned back at immigration - and the long term implications can be even more severe.

Hope that helps...

Jx
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