PLEASE HELP - I need your wisdom!

[melbonite]

Hi guys, I'm going to the USA for the first time. I have been convicted of Drink Driving around 5 years ago and Dangerous driving when I was a stupid teenager. Not to mention I was caught driving whilst banned (also during my teen years). 15 years later I'm a law abiding citizen with a great career...

Here's the deal, I've been offered a job here in Aus with a US company but first I need to spend 5 weeks in Portland Oregon. From my research it seems as though I can travel on the VWP/ESTA programme as my crimes are not considered crimes of Moral Turpitude. I rang the US Embassy and asked them, before answering she requested my passport info which i (perhaps foolishly) handed over before I was put on hold. She returned to the phone to give me a "should be ok" vague answer.

Questions:

1. Have I screwed myself by giving over my passport details, will I be flagged an questioned further at customs if I go by VWP?
2. If i opt for a VISA application are my driving offenses likely to cause me to have a VISA declined?
3. Carrying on from Question 2 if I get declined, how long will a waiver take to process?
4. If a Visa is accepted how long do they take for processing?

Please help they want me to leave in a week, but if I have a better idea how long the visa will take perhaps I can delay my departure.

 

[knightman7]

If you have to go in a week, I would just apply on the ESTA website for a visa waiver. The fact you have called and queried the embassy is a good thing, as now they have that on file that you did call. If you get your application approved online, which you should, then if you are questioned by US immigration, you can confidently point out that you that you have spoken to the embassy and they will have a record of the conversation. Make sure you have official documentation from your employer with you when you travel.

 

[markis10]

Please continue discussion here:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....sta-or-visa-please-help-55011.html#post922457