Travelling to US with a criminal record in the UK

@ Terry 108
He's got to go to the us embassy in central london
The question is because it's based in London and being interviewed would you dismiss the arrest ?
Thanks

Randy, your question has been answered multiple times throughout this thread.

1.) The UK doesn't share its database for minor offences with the US and on top of that, 2.) As far as the PNC is concerned your brother has a clean record.

Nothing in this world of Homeland Security hysterics and lunacy is 100% guaranteed, but under the circumstances what better position could your brother be in?

Roll the dice. What else is there to do?

Cheers,
Terry

Quoting CheersT

What I meant Isadora is that 99% of the queries are really straightforward and really simple: Basically, your criminal record from anywhere except Canada is a non-issue.

When I said I hope the thread dies I meant I hope the same questions that get asked over and over and over again finally stop. This thread has done its job and only needs to exist as a reference tool.

Randy @ #106: When you mention an Embassy please specify which one you're referring to. Also, don't use an acronym... many people won't know that PNC means Police National Computer.

Cheers,
Terry

Terry, you and I are on the same page with using this thread as a reference tool!

And, as for the acronyms, I totally agree. Different countries have different 'names' for their legal/police/government databases. Since we're a 'community' comprised of many different cultures/countries - not all of us know what certain initials represent. Google is great but PNC also brings up this.

I am from Australia and have read all the posts on this thread-and am still confused and worried!

I was Arrested and charged for GBH 15 years ago and all charges were dropped,another person was arrested and convicted of the crime.

First let me say I am not a criminal and my arrest 15 years ago was the first and only time visiting the inside of a police station.

My Arrest only is classed as Mortal turpitude on the ESTA and if I tick yes I will be classed as a criminal not eligible for a visa waiver or visitor visa according to this thread!

I have a full criminal record clearance ( needed in Australia for employment and volunteer work) so thought i would go to a random police station to see if they had any records of me,I was shocked to find that even after 15 years and no conviction or even court time (charges were dropped) that with just a drivers license and less than one minute my police details were reviled to the person serving the front desk.

The person i asked was quite happy and willing to look me up but change the moment my details were shown to a staunch very un helpful person.

No details would not be given and i was directed to contact the "Police Information Release Centre" to obtain my details. (still waiting)

I am a law abiding citizen and find it a bit distressing that my prompting of a police check caused such a reaction.

I do understand that GBH is a very serious charge and crime and most do not understand just how serious but if a random police computer can pull your arrest details from 15 years ago so quickly surely USA department do the same?

I am preparing as much info as I can on the arrest before I apply for a visa but this seems a bit farcical given the "Fingerprint Police Clearance" required by the US embassy only shows "unspent convictions" and I have "no convictions" spent or unspent.

Am I going to have a hard time convincing the Embassy officials that I am not a criminal?

I have quite a few months until i go to USA (short holiday) and would like some advise from other travellers. Many have said just tick NO but this holiday is costing a mall fortune and now my sanity!

I visited USA Before the arrest and have travelled extensively since the arrest,just not to USA.

Any help or replys would be much appreciated.

Regards.

Please just tick no on your esta you will be fine,customs are not interested in small fish like you, just back from Chicago last week i have 2 dui and i sailed through customs fingerprints and photo taken but thats for there records,they dont have uk criminal records at there disposal, worry if your Canadian tho as they hold there records, in my case the custom officer was really nice just asking how long i was staying in chicago and where i was staying,and have pleasant stay.

[ Edit: Edited on 31-Dec-2011, at 07:48 by beoger ]

"... I am from Australia and have read all the posts on this thread-and am still confused and worried!..."

=====================

Then you have not read this thread very thoroughly.

Cheers,
Terry

Quoting CheersT

"... I am from Australia and have read all the posts on this thread-and am still confused and worried!..."

=====================

Then you have not read this thread very thoroughly.

Cheers,
Terry

What part have i not read thoroughly?

I have an Arrests only that defiantly classed as CIMT and was adding that in Australia your Arrests only ( with no court appearance) details are available on any police computer in Australia instantly no matter how old.

UK is different,as soon as it is an arrest only that leads to no conviction it is "Stepped down" from police information,in Australia its not!

This information in Australia can be Expunged but US homeland security for "immigration purposes" have access to all Expunged records as well as spent and unspent convictions. If I am to believe from this thread that old information is only available to USA on request with permission/information rendered freely from the applicant then all my worries will be over.

FBI database currently holds 49 million arrest/conviction records from around the world,how they got them and weather they share this info with homeland security on an instant basis at airports is a question.

I am going to have my records removed (Expunged) from the police data base under the Australian freedom of information act and hope that that will be enough.

FBI hold 49million arrest/ conviction records around the world, only 7billion to go then that will be some computer .

Quoting beoger

FBI hold 49million arrest/ conviction records around the world, only 7billion to go then that will be some computer .

Yes you are right!

No one can blame people for getting worried about the wording on the ESTA though as it is not everyday a person decides to visit USA.

I dont think now I will really have a problem because recently i was issued a full clearance to work front line on CHOGM When the Queen and other heads of state visited OZ.

If the British and Australian secret service had no issue with me then why should an immigration person in The States?

Thanks for the Answers.