good luck to name change

Perhaps you can help me. My other half has several convictions for minor offences: shoplifting, criminal damage and another one that he cant remember what the charge was but basically he was staying with mates and the police raided their flat. Hubby was blood and urine tested and found to have taken amphetamine. thinks he got a conditional discharge. This all happened back in the 70's and 80's. He got arrested about 10yrs ago because someone made a counter claim that he had hit them when in actual fact it was the other way round. However, he was never charged and was actually a witness in the ensuing Court case.
He went to the States 15 yrs ago with his ex who filled out his form on the plane as he was asleep. She woke him to sign it but had already put 'no' to convictions or arrests as she thought as they were spent they didnt count.
We want to go to the US in 9 months time but not sure what to do. He doesnt want to lie on the ESTA and get sent back on arrival. However, it seems he is unlikely to get granted a visa as theft is classed as moral turpitude and adding to that theres the problem that last time he went to the US the form claimed he had no convictions/arrests.
What a predicament!

Hi yklad81!

I'm curious to know what your conviction was.

I served 68 days of a 9-month sentence for a Financial Services regulatory breach and have a had a refusal at the US Embassy. I'd like to know when to time my reapplication, and to get a feeling for the chances of success.

Thanks!

Dave

@JintyD...I was told (afterwards by a lawyer) that I maybe should have taken legal advice and got my application packaged by them before i went along. As it is now, I believe it will be harder to come back after an initial refusal than it would have been trying to get it right the first time. Kind of like an appeal against conviction I guess.

They also told me to leave it a while, as the passage of time helps a bit between applications.

Can you let us know how you get on?

Cheers

Dave

Hi Yklad81, I have a conviction for Conspiracy to Defraud and Money Laundering (4 years). I am currently a serving prisoner but will be released on probation in July 2014. I would like to visit US as have family members there. What do you think my chances are?!!

Agreed all down to the offense.

Personally considering how corrupt and illegal and the American justice system of shoot first and then ask if you committed the offense, and taking into the fact America is the highest place of criminals in the world its the worst place to visit yet the most popular place everyone wants to go to.

Makes zero sense, so I just replaced the word humans with criminals and all became clearer.

Hi, is there any chance you can let us know what the index offense (or at least what kind of offense) was and the time passed since you were convicted? Without this I don't see any true value in the success story.

Hi IEP Free

Welcome to the Forum.

If you are being released from prison on Licence, the first hurdle you will come across will be getting the permission from your Probation Officer. A standard Licence condition is that you will not be able to travel abroad except in exceptional circumstances.

Unfortunately, not be eligible to travel to the US under the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme, you would need to apply for a Holiday Visa from the US Embassy. Have a look at the US travel link on the Unlock Information Hub (https://hub.unlock.org.uk/knowledgebase/travelling-america-usa/) which gives information about the application process and a link to what the Immigration Officers base their decision on.

If you would like any further information, please contact the Unlock Helpline on 01634 247350 or email advice@unlock.org.uk.

Best wishes

Unlock Helpline

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Unlock Helpline - confidential peer advice on overcoming the effects of criminal convictions

Call: 01634 247350 (Press 1)
Text: 07824 113848
Email: advice@unlock.org.uk
Write: Helpline, Unlock, 35a High Street, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5AG

Find online self-information information, visit hub.unlock.org.uk

Need Unlocks advice? Visit our self-help information site or contact our helpline

Dear JintyD

Once you have completed the visa application, you can arrange your interview by contacting the Visa Co-ordination Office at the US Embassy in London on 09042 450100.

When you telephone, you will be asked to provide

Your name and address
Your place and date of birth
Your passport nationality and passport number
Email address

When you attend the interview, you will need to take with you:-

Confirmation page of the DS-160 (this is the Visa application form)
The letter from the Embassy which confirms your interview time and date
A print out of the page confirming receipt of your Visa application
Passport
Any other information which you think may be relevant to assist you securing a Visa

I hope this helps but, if you require any additional information, please give the Unlock Helpline a call.

Best wishes
Unlock Helpline

---

Unlock Helpline - confidential peer advice on overcoming the effects of criminal convictions

Call: 01634 247350 (Press 1)
Text: 07824 113848
Email: advice@unlock.org.uk
Write: Helpline, Unlock, 35a High Street, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5AG

Find online self-information information, visit hub.unlock.org.uk

Need Unlocks advice? Visit our self-help information site or contact our helpline

Thank you so much. I shall come back on and let you know how I get on although it will be a good few months before I get organised.

What great work you do.

J