Travelling to US with a criminal record in the UK

Quoting roofio

This is a bit misleading.

Yep. It smells of AI when nonsense is spouted, such as a blithe statement that criminal records can be viewed internationally when actually that's a pretty complex subject.

For that reason I've reported it, same as the earlier character posting on UK entry, a typical AI error, and in that case the user has a profile pic lifted from the web and profile text which flags as AI when checked.

If in doubt, I'd say report these things when they don't smell right.

Hi all I had my interview at the embassy today and thought I’d share what happened maybe give people some hope

so after reading a lot on this thread and other threads I had a lot of mixed messages, I know every case is different but I was also told by an online expert I didn’t have much of a chance being approved for a visa because of juvenile convictions I’ll share my convictions

10/12/1997 theft
10/04/1999 shoplifting
12/12/2000 shoplifting
06/04/2001 possession of an offensive weapon
03/09/2002 possession of cannabis
07/07/2003 possession of cannabis

all these convictions I was under the age of 18

13/09/2007 battery x2
13/09/2007 threatening and abusive language

these 3 convictions I was an adult

I arrived at the embassy at 9am everyone was polite and friendly I made sure I had all paperwork in order the first stage I had to show my paperwork and have my fingerprints taken then had to wait for my interview about 10:30 was called up for my interview I was asked when I turned 18 I told him he disregarded all convictions under the age of 18 he also asked about the details of my adult convictions and asked what I do for a living and then he approved my 10 year visa all sorted within 2 hours

I hope this helps anyone who’s thinking of giving up or not applying because past convictions not all experiences are bad

Thank you, Jayefc1986 . It's always helpful when people detail their own experiences.

Every application is dealt with individually but it's heartening to know that they're still largely ignoring juvenile offences (as long as not hugely serious or too recent, obviously). The fact that your adult convictions were 17+ years ago was also a huge point in your favour.

Ultimately, what visa officers want to be as sure as possible about is that the applicant is a responsible, law-abiding citizen who a) won't cause any trouble or be involved in crime whilst in the US and b)has not intention of overstaying or working illegally.

Enjoy your visit to the US!

Just wanted to share my experience at the embassy a week ago.

Background is that I was convicted of theft by employee when I was 19. I’m now mid-30s so it’s been a long time since then.

I have once previously travelled to the US on an ESTA, and blithely thought what the heck is a crime of moral turpitude, answered no and travelled with no probs.

Booked to go to the US at the end of the year and realised the ESTA asks a different question now. A bit of googling told me that my conviction is a CIMT and that I should never have travelled under an ESTA.

I also figured I wouldn’t be eligible for a visa based on my research but went ahead with the application in the hopes I’d be recommended for a waiver but also knowing if might not arrive in time for my trip.

Anyway, I went to my visa appointment. Was asked why I wanted to travel, a bit about my job and whether I’d ever been in trouble with law enforcement since my conviction. Finally I was asked why I’d travelled on an ESTA previously.

Then I was told that my visa had been approved! Passport arrived a few days later with a 10 year visa. No idea how as I was certain I wouldn’t be successful. Now I can look forward to my trip at the end of the year!

[ Edit: Edited on 8 Feb 2025, 19:52 GMT by Kirsty06 ]

Hi! Husband had his medical nearly 2 weeks ago. I contacted them to find out results etc and they said they dont share the outcome with us only with the embassy? Is that normal? Seems strange that the person paying for and having the tests done doesnt get to see the results?

>Is that normal?

Yes.

>Seems strange that the person paying for and having the tests done doesnt get to see the results?

Not at all.

Your husband paid for a medical exam because it was required by his visa application. The US-embassy-approved physician works to requirements set by the US and does not perform the exam for the patient or his/her general health. The cost covers the physician's fees, lab fees, paperwork costs and suchlike related to meeting those requirements.

If evidence of TB was found the physician would also notify the UK health authorities, because TB is a legally 'notifiable disease' in the UK, The health authorities would contact your husband.

Quoting leics2

>Is that normal?

Yes.

>Seems strange that the person paying for and having the tests done doesnt get to see the results?

Not at all.

Your husband paid for a medical exam because it was required by his visa application. The US-embassy-approved physician works to requirements set by the US and does not perform the exam for the patient or his/her general health. The cost covers the physician's fees, lab fees, paperwork costs and suchlike related to meeting those requirements.

If evidence of TB was found the physician would also notify the UK health authorities, because TB is a legally 'notifiable disease' in the UK, The health authorities would contact your husband.

Thanks for this! Do you know what the process is after the medical appointment ? still says refused when i log in. is it just a waiting game? Thanks

>Do you know what the process is after the medical appointment ?

The doctor sends the required documentation to the embassy and then the application is considered in the light of the doctor's submission. It's not fast-tracked so it'll take as long as it takes.

>is it just a waiting game?

Yes, I'm afraid so. I'm 99.99% sure it'll continue to say 'refused' until they either tell your husband to send in his passport or tell him that his application has been unsuccessful.

[ Edit: Edited on 18 Feb 2025, 20:23 GMT by leics2 ]