Forums Forums Wirral Information Wirral info traveling to America

i've heard that if u wanna travel 2 America and u have a criminal record u need 2 apply 4 a visa to get through customs in America, otherwise they will just turn u round and put u on the next flight home.


reason i'm askin is that ive got a record 4 drink drivin and my girlfriend has it in her head that i should take her ther 4 her birthday

afaik, you only need a visa if you have a criminal record for violent crimes

so if i booked a holiday 2 Florida and got pulled over in customs over ther they cant send me back????

hmmm, after reading this, I'm not so sure.

I know other people who have criminal records who have been abroad without requiring a visa, but I'm unsure if they have been to the US.

ive been abroad a few times since being convicted for drink drivin only in europe though and never been pulled over in customs, but reading that its a bit complicated 4 my brain at this time of night.

I think it basically says you may be able to get a waiver if you contact the embassy

my grandad was done years ago an hes been to florida twice as far as i no he never did anything different.... dont quote me tho ..... try a travel agents they should kno???? maybe??? x

You will be ok IMO

First Read the top of this page Click me

Visa Waiver Program Click Me

So to me because you would be a Traveler (Nonimmigrant Visas)and your not staying over 90 days.

Hey look there is a Visa Waiver wizard lol to see if you qualify.

Click me

ok thanks 4 that, i just wont show the missus this thread 4 a while. i may well write to them and see what they say.

that lil test thing says its ok 4 me 2 travel aswel so i mite aswel start savin now!!!

You will be fine.

If you choose to go under the Visa Waiver Program, you take a risk, because you do have a criminal record. It's very unlikely that this will be picked up at immigration, but there's always a chance. My son is in exactly this position & chooses not to risk it. Personally, I wouldn't be able to stand the stress during the flight, wondering whether I was going to get in, or was going to be put on the next flight back.
It was exactly because of this thought that when, many years ago, I was ticketed for exceeding the speed limit in Kansas, that I chose to pay the fine.

Cheers, Chris.

So what do you do write to them first?
And get permission?

Curious

Only just looked at this thread - I give you fair warning that they're tightening up security on even American citizens these days. With a record, I just wouldn't risk it myself. You could always call the US Embassy in London (though be warned, the thieving sods have their enquiry line on a premium rate phone line). Remember Thatcher's son being bounced a couple of years ago? Yes, he'd been done for something a bit more serious, but he did have an American wife and kids in the States. The immigration people over here are a law unto themselves these days. I think I read somewhere that British visitors to the USA are down by nearly 20% over either a year or two years ago.

Brian

(expat in Pennsylvania, USA, but I've got dual nationality thanks to my American missus and jumping through a LOT of hoops).

Cheers Brian ( Our U.S. Chief Correspondent )

I think all the god dam visa embassy's are rip off (End before i rant on an on lol )

If you have a record in another country eg being drunk in Spain will you still be allowed in? Very minor offence with just a €268 fine. However if you jumped bail and Spanish police found you 9 months later staying in a hostel in another region hundreds of miles away and you evaided them again and was a fugitive in the pyrenees but after realising you couldnt even get into France so returned to the city of the crime and handed yourself in at court accompanyed with your friend whos a barristor and 30mins later your a free peron again after a small fine would you still get in?
Just curious..