spanishfly

Hi,

I am a recent member (joined today) and have tried to read as many relevant posts as i could before deciding to post this message. But as new legislation and application procedures have been applied to the Visa system in America only today i thought that it was relevant to post this message to try and get the best possible advice from you.

I was arrested 11 years ago for possesion of a very small amount of cannabis, infact it was one simple joint, I was 17 at the time and i seem to remember being issued with a caution, however on the homeoffice website and on this site it states that it is not classed as a caution if you are between 10 and 17 years old.

The problem i have is on the new form the DS 156 that must be completed now for a Visa application, there is a question asking "Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime," it even singles out "controlled substances" as one of the examples.

I guess I have to tick YES to this as it is true. My problem is that i am being told and have read in various articles that i can have this caution stepped down from my record. If i do that, is it removed and will any immigration people beable to access that information. And secondly should i still tick YES on this application?

Thanks in advance, and as i am sure this question has been asked a hundred times each case is different and I felt you would need to know as much information as possiblle to beable to help me in this matter.

Ray

All must be revealed to US immigration ..even spent conviction
there is no let out

spanishfly

Thankyou for your swift response, do you have personal experience of this kind of thing?

Do you think that it will cause a problem with me obtaining a Visa?

Thanks

Ray

No ..I stick to cigs ...

It wont be a help thats guaranteed ... what visa

fatbrit

Drug offenses are always bad news. I'd try a confessional if I were you with a US immigration attorney rather than a public message board.

spanishfly

The Visa is just for a week holiday in April.

spanishfly

Thankyou i will do some reseach with regards to this.

Ray

A B-2 then ... I have some doubt as to your success ...
but been proved wrong many times

spanishfly

I just cannot believe that something as a stupid mistake all that time ago would be considered some sort of threat the American Nation.

Its quite simply, stupid.

Ray

I agree ... That why I never got into the Ganja

Folinskyinla

Hi:

In its wisdom, the US Congress has given a hierarchy of offenses. This is not something like stealing from a store, beating somebody up or stupid things like that.

Instead, your offense involved DRUGS. And those are treated very harshly indeed. Fortunately, there is a waiver available based upon the facts you post. In addition to the general non-immigrant waiver, there will also another waiver if you should chose to later immigrate.

spanishfly

Hi Folinskyinla,

Can you give me any more information about the waiver you have mentioned that you state would be available to me. Is this the standard Visa Waiver that everyone has to apply for under the new rules as of today.

And thankyou for your response.

Folinskyinla

Hi:

I am not aware of any new rules regarding visas that went into effect today.

Ray

He is thinking of ESTA ...and the wrong Visa waiver

lisa67

this might help

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis