USA visa

[wembleyy]

I'm asking this question on behalf of my dad.

He is looking to travel to the USA for a few weeks for his birthday next year. Back when he was younger (1970s) he was charged with a very minor offence and as such when he travelled to the USA a few years after that offence, he had to declare it on his visa, but he was given entry. He has not been to the USA since and has not had any other offences since. As it is such a long time after the offence and he has a new passport (obviously) as well as the introduction of the ESTA,
1. Will he only need the ESTA or will he need to apply for a visa (pretty sure it will be the later); and
2. When applying for the visa, do you think it will be a lengthy process (I have heard up to 27 weeks) or as he has travelled there in the past after the offence, will it most likely be a quick turnaround?

Many thanks!

 

[Quickstatus]

The most consistent aspect of travel and in this case air travel is the inconsistentcy of service delivery. This also applies to passenger interactions with customs and immigration.

While an ancient misdemeanour and subsequent travel did not cause any problems with USA entry, what you do not want is a refusal of entry to the USA. It is much better to avoid this in the first place asa refusal will then go on your record which will make it even more difficult to enter the USA in the future.

My suggestion is to get a visa before travelling. If you have to ask this question, the answer is always yes.

An ESTA is only a right to travel to the US customs counter at the Port of entry. The Customs officer then has to let you in by giving you a visa on the spot. The stamp on your passport is the visa. But you don't want to get there for them to say you are not eligible for entry due to misdemeanour in the past.

Expect US Customs inconsistency and plan ahead to mitigate against it.