Gee

I will be going for an interview at the embassy later this year. I am going on an H4 visa as it is my wife who will be getting the GC.
Over fifteen years ago I had a bit of police bother which culminated in some fines but no imprisonment. All alcohol related. Now tee total 16 years later with 2 great kids I did not think I would have to confront this again but I suppose I do as I have to go to the police for docs to take to the embassy. Will the ISN look at the big picture or will they hold my past against me? Grateful for a reply.

Pulaski

Wait until you get your police certificate before worrying about that question as I think that most convictions "drop off" the records after five years, and even more serious ones mostly after ten years.

Sylvia Ottemoel

Gee wrote:

    > I will be going for an interview at the embassy later this year. I am going on an
    > H4 visa as it is my wife who will be getting the GC. Over fifteen years ago I had a
    > bit of police bother which culminated in some fines but no imprisonment. All
    > alcohol related. Now tee total 16 years later with 2 great kids I did not think I
    > would have to confront this again but I suppose I do as I have to go to the police
    > for docs to take to the embassy. Will the ISN look at the big picture or will they
    > hold my past against me? Grateful for a reply.

You should carry with you copies of the police record and the court record. Even if
your record has "dropped off," you must answer truthfully on consular forms which ask
if you have ever been arrested.

Read up on the criminal grounds for inadmissibility. You will see that you don't face
a problem, other than showing what happened. You could have a real problem if you do
not tell the truth on a form, and this fact is uncovered.