Travelling to US with a criminal record in the UK

>To those who unfortunately have had their waivers denied in the past - what were the reasons? Are these reasons explicitly mentioned in the denial letter?

I assume you mean people who have been refused a waiver recommendation at interview? That can happen because e.g. the last offence was too recent, the offences are too serious, the officer suspects the person may overstay (no 'compelling reason' to return to the UK) or engage in criminal activity in the US.....and other reasons which are unrelated to the criminal record element.

If an interviewing officer makes a waiver recommendation it's almost always granted. Officers only make such recommendations if they're pretty certain the application meets waiver requirements (that's their job!).....otherwise it would be a waste of time, money & resources.

The interviewing officer will tell the applicant why he/she is not being recommended for a waiver. He/she might sometimes suggest e.g. reapplying in 5 years' time but there are no guarantees.

I actually meant why a waiver may be denied after it has been recommended by the interviewing visa officer? I have seen a couple of cases lately and wanted to see if there is anything specific that the DHS is looking at.

I haven't come across any such cases and none have been reported on this thread over the years I've been active.

I very much doubt the DHS are looking at anything specific. Waivers are denied if the legal criteria (under US law) for granting them is not met. If the cases you came across are true (not everything is... and all the facts aren't always given) it may be that a few interviewing officers have made errors of judgement which led them to recommend when they should not....

[ Edit: Edited on 12 Jan 2025, 20:03 GMT by leics2 ]

Quoting leics2

I haven't come across any such cases and none have been reported on this thread over the years I've been active.

We've unfortunately just had a case in the other forum of a waiver rejection, which after a 9 month wait is pretty tough. Poster hasn't (yet) noted whether the rejection email had any specifics.

Visa Waiver Timelines Tracker

Quoting abrowsky

I actually meant why a waiver may be denied after it has been recommended by the interviewing visa officer? I have seen a couple of cases lately and wanted to see if there is anything specific that the DHS is looking at.

Mine was rejected in 2019 (and then approved in 2022) and was due to the fact my last offence was just under 5 years prior so too soon for them to accept.

Quoting Ooberj

Hi all.

I'm currently 4 months waiting on my waiver (fully aware it's about 9 months)

Question is on the site that I booked the visa appointment (ais.usavisa) it says current status is appointment. Is this usual ? I can't remember from years ago.

Also my status is refused as expected but nothing touched since the appointment.

I think your appointment was a week prior to mine so we should hear around the same time. My status was the same when I applied in 2022 and didn't change until I got the email to send my passport.

Quoting abrowsky

I actually meant why a waiver may be denied after it has been recommended by the interviewing visa officer? I have seen a couple of cases lately and wanted to see if there is anything specific that the DHS is looking at.

Hi, I've previously had a waiver denied by DHS after it was recommended by the consulate officer. The denial letter didn't contain anything specific and made clear there were no grounds for seeking further information nor any process of appeal.

This has been posted on here before. It is also detailed on the other forum.

[ Edit: Edited on 13 Jan 2025, 13:40 GMT by roofio ]

Quoting LondonAlb

Quoting Ooberj

Hi all.

I'm currently 4 months waiting on my waiver (fully aware it's about 9 months)

Question is on the site that I booked the visa appointment (ais.usavisa) it says current status is appointment. Is this usual ? I can't remember from years ago.

Also my status is refused as expected but nothing touched since the appointment.

I think your appointment was a week prior to mine so we should hear around the same time. My status was the same when I applied in 2022 and didn't change until I got the email to send my passport.

Thanks it was 23rd Aug.

My last time round was 2019 and don't remember checking status. The wait continues that's the bit I hate.
Did you just get a one and done visa in 2022 ?