visaquery

[carolanne1951]

I would be very interested to hear from others who have had to apply for a US visa because they aren't eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. I have some very old criminal convictions which I was assured by the AFP would not show up on my police certificate. However because I had the temerity to dispute a traffic offence and I went to court, this court appearance has shown up on the AFP cert and has "triggered" off the old convictions which now all show up. If I had not gone to court and simply paid the traffic fine, I would have had a 10 year non offending period which would have meant all my older convictions would have been regarded as spent. Now I am facing a visa interview in which I have to disclose my very old offfences. Unforttunately these are 2 drug possession offences (1979 and 1985) and a drinkdriving (1989). These would nothave shown up if I hadn't disputed the traffic offence in 1992. I then had a further conviction (2001) which is not drug or alcohol related. I feel like I have turned my life around and I am now a law abiding middle aged lady but my past continues to haunt me. My daughter is a permanent resident of the USA and I want to go and see her but now it looks like I won't be able to. Has anyone with a criminal history ever got in? I have tried to ask the US consulate about this but all I get is turn up for your interview and we will make a decision. I would rather they just said I can't go. Does anyone have any info? I read on this site that if you don't get a visa but just go and you have drug convictions they know and won't let you in but I know people who have recent drug offences and got in with no probs. It makes me feel that I am penalised for doing the right thing. Don't really care about seeing LOTF but I want to see my daughter. Carol

 

[serfty]

Hi carolanne1951,

Welcome to AFF.

Perhaps the only pertinent point is your "2001 conviction"

From your post it seems like you will simply have to go through the Visa process/interview/etc. :-|

All I can suggest is that you approach the interview with full openness. Be contrite, be humble through it, refer to your your daughters residency and stress you wish to visit then return home, maybe several times over the next few years.

Other than that, all I can say is Good Luck.

 

[carolanne1951]

Thanks very much for your reply. Unfortunately 2001 conviction was for a Centrelink overpayment for which they decided to prosecute me. I think it comes under the moral turpitude heading so I am not optimistic altho I told the US consul about it and they seemed OK with it! I think the my daughter is a permanent resident and I miss her very much (and I do, I wouldn't even consider going otherwise) is the best angle to approach it. Today the US consul rang me and changed the visa appt from 17 July to 29th as someone going on hols or something so another few weeks of stress. Thanks for your cheering words and I'll try to stay +ve.
Have a good weekend,
Regards,
Carol

 

[Travel Guru]

I'm sure you'll be fine, having been a TA for many years, i've seen people with much more serious charges/convictions attend an interview and be granted a visa.

As Sefrty suggested, just be open and honest, if you hide something and they find out, you've got as much chance of getting a visa as I do winning a Grammy for my shower singing.

TG