B2 Visa with a conviction

[Jevey]

Hi,

I am planning on visiting the US for a third time and have been advised that I should apply for a B2 Visa as I have a conviction for theft from 2004.

The offence led to a fine and a community service order both of which were completed. I had never been in trouble with the police before this occasion and not since.

I am a normal UK citizen. I live with my fiancee in a house she owns (she will be travelling with me), I have a full time permanent job as an IT engineer for a national company and I have strong family ties in the UK. I am financially secure and can prove this. I do have distant family (Great Aunt, 2nd and 3rd cousins) who are US citizens living in the US. Would any letter of reference from them help at all?

I need to know what the likliehood of being granted a visa is and anything that I should be aware of to take with me to the interview or anything that can help in this circumstance.

I have been told by people I know that they have heard of people that just ticked the "no" box on the Visa waiver form before getting to US customs and got away with it even though they had copnvictions for drugs, assault etc. Despite this I would like to go through the correct channels.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

 

[susan ward]

Hi
If you have ever been arrested you will need a visa to vist the usa

The other criteria is you must show strong family, emotional and financial ties to your home country

Sec 214 of INA states

Every applicant shall be deemed an immigrant until such time they prove to the consular officers satisfaction they are not

Never ,ever lie on any governent form such as a vwp, this is extremely serious and you could do jail time if found out

 

[Jevey]

Does the US customs and Immigration service have data that is shared by the UK Police/criminal records bureau on the immigration systems and does this information appear when they scan your passport at the airport?

As far as I am aware the UK does not share this sort of information with any country. I can understand if you have commited a crime such as murder or somewthing that warrants being listed on interpol but I can't beleive the US have information about every single citizen of every country in the world that is visible when the passport is scanned at immigration control.

Can anyone clarify this for me?

Thanks