tbarnes

I received a police caution for petty theft when I was 14 (it was a one off and I have not been in any trouble since). I'm now 27, have been to university and graduated with a first class honours, and have a good job.

I want to go to the US on holiday and it's highly likely that I will need to go to the US for work during the coming year.

As I was arrested 13 years ago (although I was only cautioned and do NOT have a criminal conviction) I understand that I am not eligible for the Waiver Visa and need to apply for a non immigrant visa. Does anyone know the process for this, or what's involved?

On other forums the general concensus is that I shouldn't declare the arrest on the immigration form and I'll get through without any problem, but I don't want to fall foul of the US Immigration Service and I don't want a lifetime exclusion from the US.

Also if I get a visa is it like having a massive stamp in your passport which says "criminal" because normally a waiver visa is all that's required? And will it create problems if I want to travel to Canada, Australia and New Zealand whose entry requirements are not so strict?

Finally if i get a visa how long will it last? Will I have to go through the application process every time I want to go the US?

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

MsElui

its always bad to lie - if they catch you out you make future travel to the
US extremely hard.

chicagojlo

You don't happen to have an American dad do you...

Try reading Phyclone's previous post Please Excuse my Noobiness. He was in a similiar situation although he actually did have an American dad so his situation ended much differently!

Ray

Run the Consulate wizard here....

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new...sa_wizard.html

Folinskyinla

Hi:

Although a UK caution is generally considered to be a "conviction" for US immigration purposes, in your case it is also considered to be a juvenile disposition for US purposes since it was before age 16. Juvenile dispositions are generally not considered "convictions" for US purposes.

I may be a lawyer, but I am not your lawyer. The above comment is general in nature and I am not advising you on any particular course of action.

It should be noted that the criminal grounds set forth in US Immigration & Nationality Act is the most complicated part of US immigration.

Phychlone

Very good

augigi

I have a multiple entry visa, and I am not a criminal. I just needed to stay longer than the 90 days.

Australia, NZ etc don't care what visa you use to go to the US.I'm sure they also won't care about something from when you were 14.

tbarnes

Unfortunately I don't have an American parent, so I don't think I can go down that route.

Just wondering if anyone with a police caution as a juvenille has applied for a B1/B2 visa, and if so are the people at the US embassy in London willing to give them out.

Also how long does the B1/B2 visa last? Will I need to reapply every time I want to go to the US?

Folinskyinla

Hi:

The reciprocity tables state that a B-2 visa given to a Brit will be valid for 10 years and valid for multiple entries. About 15 years back they eliminated the "indefinite" B-2's and all such visa are considered expired as of 10 years from issuance. Usually, if there is a reason to restrict the validity, the visa will be denied. Strange, but true.

teddy1

Im also interested in an answer on this, i dotn wish for others around me to know my background, so is there nothing on the visa / passport that says any details of a caution

augigi

No

chicagojlo

There are various reasons for getting this visa, it's not necessarily just for people who have a criminal record.

MsElui

haha - you can tell everyone you are a snowbird!

tbarnes

What's a "snowbird"?

Ray

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowbird_(people)