Travelling to US with a criminal record in the UK

My offence was 11years ago and I got a reprimand an was still refused a visa due to lack of ties in the united kingdom and as I haven't travelled enough so now my family and 3year old daughter are travelling without me.its unfair to descriminate those who did wrong and changed there life's for the better they could clearly see I was going on a family holiday with my mum am sister and her family when I went an took my travel itinery if they'd have actually looked through my documents,my advice to anyone don't declare anything

VegasMike. When did Obama say he wanted to make it easier for visitors to get into the U.S? I havent heard this but hope this is true

I read it here.

Hello All

I have the same concerns as most people on here; I was arrested in 1991 over a public order offence (drunk scuffle). I was bound over which I believe to be a civil matter rather than criminal.

I have applied for a Visa (wife didn't want to risk me going on an ESTA and getting turned back - I know that it is unlikely, but decision has been made now).

I am waiting for my Police Certificate to come back and then I will need to get the info off to the embassy.

My specifica question is to how long this typically takes. I am supposed to fly to Florida at the end of May. When I spoke to somebody at the Embassy they seemed to indicate that I should be ok as long as I get the Visa aurthorised - if the Visa is rejected then forget it.

Looking at the webpage that they send you to it states a MINIMUM of 16 weeks.

Does anybody know what the realistic timescales are if I apply within the next week and have all relevant documents to hand.

Thanks for any replys.
Myself and family are absolutely terrified that this once in a lifetime holiday is not going to happe.

andy

If you are granted your visa there it takes a week to come back,you should get your visa no problem aslong as you've a job,mortgage etc that's were I went wrong and I wasn't granted one which is wrong but foingers crossed I will get one for next year

Thanks A186

I have job, mortgage, kids, etc - certainly enough ties to keep me in the UK.

Your reply sounds positive on the timescales (as long as Visa is granted). I'm just concerned about the 16 weeks stated on the website.
Because of my arrest will it require further 'processing' that could delay it for months?

Is it easy enough to book the appointment or will I need to wait weeks before they assess my paperwork and decide what type of interview I require.

Thanks again for your help

Andy

Ithey will give you an appointment the following week,I have a child I was taking my little girl to meet mickey on a family holiday and I had proof I was coming back but they was still arses haha

I travelled to San Francisco via cincinnatiin 2007 on my UK passport on the visa waiver - I have a spent caution for criminal damage(graffiti minor) from 2001, I was stopped after the fingerprint check and questionned for almost an hour in an interrogation room. They said my record had shown up and i had declared never been arrested for major felony. I argued it was a caution not a major crime - they did a lot of checks and eventually let me through although said i should get a visa next time to be sure for it not happen again. The thing is i actually have US nationality too but they did not even pick that up! - it was literally just the fingerprints that got me picked up. When i was arrested in 2001 in the UK the police showed me the computer system sending my fingerprints to Nevada to a private company which holds the UK fingerprint database - this is how i guess they pick up any fingerprinted offence - my fingerprints were scans when i was arrested in UK. I also have an aquaintence who was sent back from NY on return flight for failing to declare cannibis possession caution and again was picked up on fingerprints syste,.

They went over board on you, heaven knows why as criminal damage is not considered to be a crime of moral terpitude. Still, it's over the top even if it was considered a crime of moral terpitude, I mean too strict too harsh. And from a country whose most famous icon, ironically, is the Statue of Liberty.

Such an interesting topic as it's effecting so many, including myself.

I was wondering if anybody could please help me...

I have had 2 £80 police fines from 4 years ago; one for drunk & disorderly & the other being shoplifting. Not proud what so ever, but the fiens where paid no bother so that's the end right?

Also I was also arrested last year with a friend as some slight 'damage' was done to a hotel room I had in my name for my birthday, (all it was was blue dye on walls/door). We where took to the station, mugshots & fingerprints taken & put in a cell for several hours to see our fate; we where eventually let go as it wasn't enough to convict. Yet do we have a criminal record for such a petty thing?
Would an ESTA be okay to use in June, with ticking no as from what I've read none of the above is 'Moral Turpitude'.

Thank you in advance. Please any help would be grateful.