theForum » Travel » Travelling to the USA » Should I risk travelling on an ESTA?

Should I risk travelling on an ESTA?

jwalk2016 — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 07:24:11 GMT

Hi everyone.

My criminal record is as follows:
2000 reprimand for shoplifting (then aged 16)
2004 caution for shoplifting (then aged 20)
Not so much as a parking ticket since.

I have booked a family holiday to New York in 3 months time, staying for a week.

I have completed the ESTA application honestly & it was accepted. I have since read that I should have applied for a visa. I’m really unsure what to do. Apply for visa & risk being turned down- if I need a waiver of admissibility I will not be able to go on the holiday. Or do I risk travelling under ESTA.

Have we any concrete answers as to whether US customs have access to the UK PNC or whether anything would flag up if my fingerprints are taken?

Many thanks in advance.

RE: Should I risk travelling on an ESTA?

Deb S — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 07:24:11 GMT

[quote]

[b]jwalk2016 - 16 Jul 18 5:05 PM[/b]

Just to update everyone, I travelled on the ESTA with absolutely no issues. US immigration didn’t so much as bat an eyelid :). My passport was stamped to remain in the US for 90 days. Thanks everyone for your advice.

[/quote]

Hi jwalk2016

Thanks for the update. Hope you had a great trip.

Best wishes

Debbie

RE: Should I risk travelling on an ESTA?

jwalk2016 — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 17:05:12 GMT

RE: Should I risk travelling on an ESTA?

BenS — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 08:00:51 GMT

[quote]

[b]Hola - 5 Apr 18 9:18 PM[/b]

Agree, nothing is concrete but the charges are minor so you def won't be on any list, so just travel on the ESTA and have a great time

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Agreed with this. Your convictions are so insignificant, there is nothing to worry about. All the more so if you answered truthfully and still got accepted for an ESTA.

RE: Should I risk travelling on an ESTA?

Hola — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 21:18:24 GMT

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[b]AB2014 - 5 Apr 18 3:59 PM[/b]

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[b]jwalk2016 - 5 Apr 18 2:39 PM[/b]

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The way I understand it is that visas are issued by the State Department, who go by answers to the questions. The actual border control is run by Homeland Security, who are the people who want to know your full history. Either way, the ESTA is issued by the State Department, and their questions are there to weed out people who need a visa. If you can answer the questions truthfully and still get an ESTA then that is good enough. On the Unlock website here, they advise working from the questions. The Unlock page here says that the government has confirmed that they don't share that sort of information with the US or anyone else. The recent news about sharing information was about US citizens convicted in the UK and UK citizens convicted in the US. You might well get a visa in time to go to New York, but why take up all that time and money to get something the US authorities have already said you don't need?

[/quote]

Agree, nothing is concrete but the charges are minor so you def won't be on any list, so just travel on the ESTA and have a great time

RE: Should I risk travelling on an ESTA?

AB2014 — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 15:59:39 GMT

[quote]

[b]jwalk2016 - 5 Apr 18 2:39 PM[/b]

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