Police check for USA Visa interview?

[DarkBlue4577]

Hi,

First time poster here.

I wanted to ask some questions about my upcoming visa interview. My girlfriend surprised me a few weeks ago with a cheap trip to Hawaii in late October so I was looking into the ESTA or visa.

Almost exactly 20 years ago now I was arrested and fined for theft. Now while I'm sure this is now a spent conviction not wanting to be dishonest (after seeing the questions on the ESTA being different to the actual visa question of have you ever been arrested and not wanting to be rejected/deported once there) I decided to go the visa route.

My interview is in approximately 1 month from now and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if I'll need to supply a police check at the interview? If so which one? I know the "visa" police check from the AFP doesn't show spent convictions though as USA doesn't recognise the scheme, would they want/accept this one? Or is there another one that shows the spent convictions? If so where and how can I obtain this? Local police?

I've spoken to the CPB contact line in the USA (I don't think I could have gotten more less interested or helpful person) he wouldn't tell me anything.

Would the local USA visa number be able to help or any suggestions you guys/girls might have?

My apologies for the many questions, having read through some of the multiple page threads here and elsewhere just makes me more confused.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hvr]

Welcome aboard @DarkBlue4577 with any visa interview tell the truth. As for having a spent conviction it depends on the state. Victoria doesn't have a spent conviction process.

When you have your interview tell the truth and what you've done since then to stay on the straight and narrow. If it was minor and your only brush with the law you should be fine.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF. When you say you've gone thorough threads etc, I guess you mean the ones re applying for US visa with a conviction behind them? Sorry to ask but newbies do sometimes get lost.

I would have thought the consulate/ embassy would have told you what you need to bring. I applied for a visa because I visited Iran and knew exactly what I had to take to the interview. Do they know your basic history in seeking the interview?

Yes, call the locals - can't hurt.

 

[DarkBlue4577]

Thanks both of you. I'm in NSW so we have spent convictions here which is why I was confused.

Yes I read some other threads here (the main other 40+ page one) and some other sites forums for visa applications with convictions, every other post is different advice (or advising someone to be economical with the truth) so its a little confusing.

I originally applied for the visa online after trying to speak to a human, I've put details in there on what happened and that I was fined, no jail time. The process from the confirmation was to arrange an appointment (which it didn't tell you where to do that, had to find the site myself) and bring "all required documents" though it wasn't specific aside from the visa application confirmation printout and payment receipt printout. I've also got my travel documents such as where I'm staying, return flights info and that I have money and aren't looking to fly to Hawaii to become a bum somewhere

Yes I'll give the local visa help line the consulate forwards you to another call and see if they need to see an actual police check or not.

Thanks again.

 

[Denali]

Good luck !

 

[serfty]

Victoria doesn't have a spent conviction process.

They do now (since Feb 2019):

Victoria passes law to wipe criminal convictions for minor offences

(not that it is not much different in effect from the methodology that existed prior which was an ersatz Spent Conviction process )

 

[serfty]

Yes I'll give the local visa help line the consulate forwards you to another call and see if they need to see an actual police check or not.

I'd do one anyway and bring it. They don't cost much.

(Although all it would say is "No Disclosable Outcomes" or similar.)

 

[DarkBlue4577]

I'd do one anyway and bring it. They don't cost much.

(Although all it would say is "No Disclosable Outcomes" or similar.)

I haven't had a chance to call them yet but I was thinking this anyway. That would be the "For Visa etc.." one from AFP right?

Thanks.

 

[serfty]

That would be the "For Visa etc.." one from AFP right?

Yes, easy enough to order online.

 

[Quickstatus]

You are right to go the Visa route and not even attempt the ESTA route.

Just answer the questions truthfully and you will be Ok.

 

[DarkBlue4577]

Thanks everyone. I've applied for the check, now to wait for it and my visa appointment.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks everyone. I've applied for the check, now to wait for it and my visa appointment.

It may be different for you, but just for info: When I went for my visa interview (to get a regular B1/B2 visa because of a visit to Iran), in Melbourne, the 'appointment time' turned out not to be a time of my appointment to see someone in particular. It was basically a 'time to show up' - there were lots of people in queues before me and in the end I just got to the head of the last queue, fronted up at one of several counters, had a brief chat, and was done. They had already approved the Visa; took my passport to get the sticker put in and posted it back to me.

Good luck!

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes when MissQS went to Melbourne for B1/B2 the time given is a turnup time as other people also given same time. Therefore early is beneficial.
They won’t print anything at last minute. An enterprising business across the road has setup a printer for the last minute print jobs - for a modest fee

Expect they know a fair bit about you which can be disconcerting. MissQS was asked what she thought about Denver. She had been to DEN a year ago.

 

[DarkBlue4577]

Yeah from what I've read online I had a feeling the "appointment" would be a group thing so I'm going in early, prepared with all the documents I need (plus copies of everything) to make sure there are no issues/holdups.

Now to wait, appointment is May 13th.

 

[Quickstatus]

The disconcerting thing about the DEN question is because her passport only shows LAX stamps. Her social media talks about DEN so they likely had looked her up via various channels. Probably a CIA/FBI search as well