OT: USA visitor requirements

Just an off chance anyone here will know this.

I want to book a vacation to LA for early next year. The UK are part of the Visa Waiver Program so no VISA needed.. unless youve EVER been arrested or have a criminal record.

I dont need a visa, but my best freind was arrested for punching someone (who totally deserved it lol) 18 months ago. This i think will be ok.

My other friend went to prison for holding up an off license with a bit of wood. No other record and it was 5 years ago (one stupid mistake that he paid heavily for!).

Is this likely to stop us entering the USA? Im wondering if they will look at the time between the offence and now and the fact that it was a first and last offence, or in this day and age just say no way?

Anyone have experience in this?

This may be of help.

http://www.cbp.gov/
or
http://www.ice.gov/



.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/in...eligibilitiesl

Quote:

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(2) Criminal and related grounds.-

(A) Conviction of certain crimes.-

(i) In general.-Except as provided in clause (ii), any alien convicted of, or who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of-

(I) a crime involving moral turpitude (other than a purely political offense or an attempt or conspiracy to commit such a crime), or

(II) a violation of (or a conspiracy or attempt to violate) any law or regulation of a State, the United States, or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)), is inadmissible.

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Thanks. That suggests that they are both inadmissable. Bu at the end it seems to state that the consular office may waiver that if they want to. So basicly who knows lol

I think ill call the embassy as they grant or dont grant the visa so they may give a hint.

You get given a form to fill in on the flight where there are check boxes that ask these questions.

All you really need to enter the US is a valid passport.

Im sure those Al Quaida terrorists didnt say on their Visa Waiver form they were terrorists ;)

Regards,

Lee

Yeah thats if you dont need a visa. Im ok with that but strictly speaking my friends should.

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Originally Posted by marcjacob

Yeah thats if you dont need a visa. Im ok with that but strictly speaking my friends should.

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You only need a Visa if you are planning to stay in the country for longer than 90 days, thats the whole point on the Visa waiver program that the United States has with the UK.

Regards,

Lee

AAH i totally mis read that! Thanks Lee - that would mean that none of us need one as its a 2 weeks max thing.

LA here we come lol

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Originally Posted by Lee

You get given a form to fill in on the flight where there are check boxes that ask these questions.

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http://ron.unique.cc/i94wa.gif

http://ron.unique.cc/i94wb.gif



:develish:

LOL WTF? Why ask if your a terrorist? Im sure bin laedan always ticks yes to that! He has to be honest lol

I edited my post... but checking C would be cool "sir, yes sir, I'm an undercover spy, sir now let me enter your country"

none of the secret service employees of other countries are allowed to enter the country :D

I should put yes to A i think. I have obsessive compulsive disorder which technicaly is a mental disorder, but id doubt they mean that.

You know what, i bet most people dont even care about doing it right and just say no to everything. Im sure they mean am i mental and dangerous lol

My only question to you is why would you want to go to the USA in the first place...with an entire world to explore?

It is a trashcan going down rapidly and getting worse all of the time.

Hope you make it back alive if "they" do let you into the country.

Just a thought...

Lee

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Originally Posted by MiamiB

My only question to you is why would you want to go to the USA in the first place...with an entire world to explore?

It is a trashcan going down rapidly and getting worse all of the time.

Hope you make it back alive if "they" do let you into the country.

Just a thought...

Lee

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Just a guess, but I think he might be coming here to hunt down Squirt.

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Originally Posted by TropixxxStudios

Just a guess, but I think he might be coming here to hunt down Squirt.

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Squirt has never made it a secret that he lives in Australia.

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Originally Posted by Xstr8guy

Squirt has never made it a secret that he lives in Australia.

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He has to stop here to buy the gun first...:eek:

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Originally Posted by TropixxxStudios

He has to stop here to buy the gun first...:eek:

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hahahaha

That made me LOL

Regards,

Lee

That made me laugh too!

Were great friends now anyway lol

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/info/info_870.html

Very helpful gal on the phone at this office. I am happy to know that if you have been conviced of a crime - up to Federal levels -

and you have completed your sentence and been released from parole or pardoned, you can be issued a passport.

Pending court cases would prevent it from beinging issued.

I was surpized to find out that past criminal history doesn't prevent overseas travel. :signhere:

just to give you a heads up

having a visa does not guarantee entrance unless you've been flagged to pass no matter what, usually have to present special document issued by INS.

border agents have full discretion and can deny entry to anyone on a visa but I'm not sure what the appeal process is if any.

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Originally Posted by Madame0120

I was surpized to find out that past criminal history doesn't prevent overseas travel. :signhere:

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as am I sheesh

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jIgG

just to give you a heads up

having a visa does not guarantee entrance unless you've been flagged to pass no matter what, usually have to present special document issued by INS.

border agents have full discretion and can deny entry to anyone on a visa but I'm not sure what the appeal process is if any.

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This is so true.

Australia remodeled their immigration to mimic Americas. Here in Australia there is a TV show called Border Patrol where they show all the foreigners getting rejected, busted for drugs, or fined for bringing in food. Some people are rejected for saying the wrong reason for coming into the country or not having enough money in their overseas bank account to support their stay ~ it's great :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Squirt

This is so true.

Australia remodeled their immigration to mimic Americas. Here in Australia there is a TV show called Border Patrol where they show all the foreigners getting rejected, busted for drugs, or fined for bringing in food. Some people are rejected for saying the wrong reason for coming into the country or not having enough money in their overseas bank account to support their stay ~ it's great :D

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We get that show in the UK - its allways makes me laugh.

Were going to do a weekend in London and apply for the visa. They can only say no i guess. If they do we will go to Japan instead.

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Originally Posted by SPACE GLIDER

as am I sheesh

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Why shouldn't it be so?