Travelling to US with a criminal record in the UK

Ok I really need to clear this up for you all...It is against UK and EU laws for us to share any kind of information with other Countries (even to the wonderfully paranoid USA).

The only time the UK will share any sort of information is anything relating to terrorist.

Only dumb criminals will go to the US embassy and declare their record, the USA want you to do this as this is the only way they will know anything about you.

Like someone else has said, if our own bloody police in the counties cant even share records due to different systems then how the hell we can share with other Countries is beyond me...However, after sayinig all this we do share information with Ireland (what they do with it remains a mystery)...Now they shouldn't be forwarding anything to the USA but who knows....

So my overall advice is this....

1) If you are a terrorist or you have committed rape or child abuse then this info is attached to your passport anything else "welcome to America"

Lastly I have a record, nothing to be proud of but I was young and foolish, I have gone to USA many times and never delcare it...But if I ever wanted to move out there then I would be F****ed because they will then ask for a records check...I am sure the yanks can put 2 and 2 together and make 4....But then again....

Regards,

To correct lordwynn (no offence)
International agencies can and DO share information...
If you are questioned by US Customs, they can easily get this information...usually provided by your immigration department.

This may be harder if you were from Uzbekistan or something...but especially with allied and "preferred" visa countries, they could have this information in minutes!

Best thing to do is get a visa...do things right if you have (as you say) moved on. If you enter illegally...then you are still a criminal (no)???? Take no offence to this, just trying to put it all into perspective for you.

If absolutely necessary, and I'm not saying that you do this, try your luck. Plenty of people do, but CBP is like any agency...they see thousands of people every day and are trained to know when people are lying.

I know it's hard to know what to do, but best thing is to follow the rules. All they need is a passport number, it is a document that tells them all about you.

If you feel lucky, and many people do this, try your luck. It works for some...but not all.

Best of luck, and if you do go...hope you have the time of your life!!!

I now have this problem and its only for a two hour stopover in seattle on my way to cancun!i have a very minor drug conviction from seven years ago and a more recent driving under the influence conviction,anyone any advice to offer please??

Hi,
i recently got arrested for a public disorder which involved me throwing a punch( stupid mistake to make really) but i only got a caution an was free to go the next day. i intend to travel to the U.S. in 18 months do you think this will be a problem if i wanted to go there on the Visa waiver program.

thanks for the help

Hi im from the UK. My husband was convicted of perverting the course of justice and misfeasance in public office. He was a police officer at the time and told some-one how to fill out a driving ticket. He was sentenced to less than 6 months in total; I think it was 4 months. He applied for his visa in 2005 and was turned down. Now given that he actually can’t commit this crime again I find it very frustrating that we can’t come to Disney land with our 3 children. We are thinking of applying again in 2009 .Does anyone think he will ever be allowed back? He had been there 3 times before this. His conviction actually took place September 2004.Many thanks for your help witchie

Quoting witchie

Hi im from the UK. My husband was convicted of perverting the course of justice and misfeasance in public office. He was a police officer at the time and told some-one how to fill out a driving ticket. He was sentenced to less than 6 months in total; I think it was 4 months. He applied for his visa in 2005 and was turned down. Now given that he actually can’t commit this crime again I find it very frustrating that we can’t come to Disney land with our 3 children. We are thinking of applying again in 2009 .Does anyone think he will ever be allowed back? He had been there 3 times before this. His conviction actually took place September 2004.Many thanks for your help witchie

This is the first time I am posting for this site. I have been researching about this topic for a friend on mine who have a record and wanting to travel to the US with us. This is what I have found out so far:

From Canada to US: the two countries shared criminal databases, the US agents can look up past record by simply type in your name or scann in your passport. If your conviction severity is deem in-admissible, you will be refuse entry and/or arrested if you lie about your past record when asked.

As far as I know, the UK does not share this type of information with the US unless it is a international offence. Most of the UK citizens should be able to enter the US with minor convictions, you must answer "NO" when asked if you have prior criminal record(s). However, it is suggested that the person with the record(s) get a pardon and clear his or her name before attempting to enter the US. In Canada, we can clear our criminal records by applying for a pardon (12-24 months to process). I don't know if this is available in the UK but it is worth looking into and begin the process as soon as possible if it is available to you.

With that being said, in your case this might be too late. By trying to apply for a Visa and openly notifying the US of your husband conviction, the US now have your husband record in their database. Even if your husband managed to get a pardon from the UK government, the US will not recognize this (this also apply to Canadian as well) and can refuse entry. Once your record is in their database, I am sorry to say, but it will be there for good. Also when your husband committed the offence, he himself was a police officer at the time, that can only make things worse in the eyes for the US goverment. If I may suggest, instead of apply again, seek legal advise and take it from there. If the UK have a pardon system, explore that option also, it can't hurt to start with a clean slate. Good luck to you and yours.

Sorry to bring this up again but when I was 17 I was convicted of possession of cannabis w/i to supply, I didn't get a prison sentence for this... Would that be over looked when applying for a visa as I was under 18?
Also I was convicted of an aggravated common assault this time when I was 21... I am now 25 any advise?

It's best to contact the embassy of the country you're travelling to and tell them your dilemma. They will give you a yes or no.
Incidentally, in The USA - different states have different laws.

[ Edit: Edited on 10-May-2009, at 09:56 by Redpaddy ]