Travelling to US with a criminal record in the UK

Hi, i read all of the posts here on the forum, but i ve got i question and i would be really really thankful if anyone can give some advice.

well ,i am originally russian, and i ve been studying in uk for like 5 years. i know that what i am gonna write here its totally stupid and i am so much regreting for it day since then, but 2 years ago i got caught shoplifting in h&m,like 40 pounds. they took me to the police station ,took my fingerprints, fotos and so on. i just dont know why i did it, its was not that i didnt have money or something, it was just, i dont even know what was it, but i just did it and i would never do it again in my life. well, i was in a police station for an hour than they told me to go home,i asked them if this would be a problem for travelling they said no.
2 days later, i left to russia, and since then i didnt go to uk, as i finished my studies and start working here in my home country.
now, i ve got a job in cyprus, and i ve got a visa now for 3 mnths, as ill be staying there to obtain a work permit. they want from me clear criminal record back from my country and i ve got it. only thing that bothers me ,is it possible that cyprus police or govermenta can see about my record in uk or something???
i would appriciate so much if anyone could give me any advice, i know i did very wrongful act, and it thought me that i would never in my life do something like that again.

thank you very very much.
please to judge me, i know i was young and extremely stupid:/
cheers
kate

Kate,
And here I thought only men did stupid s**t!! Kate, almost all of us have done something stupid and have carried on with our lives. You did a stupid thing and got to share it with all of us on TP!!

As I think you know, none of us are lawyers and cannot give legal advice. Kate, I would take the UK police at their word. There is no record that will keep you from traveling to another country. They let you go and and said in effect: 'no problem'. The only country that will know about this is the UK and they sent you home. Relax and put this episode behind you. Now: "Go and sin no more".

[ Edit: Edited on 30-Aug-2011, at 11:13 by vegasmike6 ]

Hi guys, I have been doing my research on this subject and am grateful for all the posts here which have helped me understand the situation with more clarity. I was wondering if someone could hopefully answer what I am looking for..

I am planning to travel to Miami towards the end of this month which will be a dream holiday for my friend and I but I have a criminal record which is what will determine if we actually book this holiday or chose another destination.

I am 26 years young and in Jan 2007 received the following on my record, all of which I would consider minor offences but none the less they are still on my record.

Possession of Cannabis (1 gram) (28 days suspended sentence for 2 years - expired 2009) Fine £50.

Possession of Cannabis with intent to supply (6 months suspended sentence for 2 years - expired 2009) Community service / Fine £700.

Carrying an offensive weapon (cosh) - No charge.

I have no previous record and have not been in trouble since. I am an honest, loyal, respectable and polite citizen and what is on my record does not reflect on the charater I am.

Relating back to Terry's post is it worth me ticking "no" on the VWP in order to bypass applying for a Visa which will all know is a long process as these are minor crimes the US will not be interested in.

I was advised by my solicitor a few years ago that as long as you answer "no" to previous convictions the US have no access to our UK records.

I have travelled to the USA 10 years ago to visit family I have in North Carolina and to Spain, Paris, Amsterdam and Turkey in recent years.

Any clarification / advice on this matter will be much appreciated as I am looking to book my holiday soon

Kind regards,

J

I just wanted to let people know that a friend of mine who has been convicted of fraud and is currently undertaking 250 hrs of community service has just travelled to the US from the UK by ticking 'no' on the ESTA.

He hasn't even finished his community service and he had no problems whatsoever at customs!

Luckymeh,
Above post says it all. You have no chance of getting a US visa, your only options are to tick 'No' on all questions on the ESTA form. Or stay home. Good luck.

I have a strange one and not sure what to do even after reading all posts. 2yrs ago i was convicted of theft 7 counts of €70 and fined, long story but i had a breakdown after losing 3 family members in 6mnths and was responsible for some money and i can honestly say i don't know what happend with the money, i know i was stupid but having got to 45 with not even a parking ticket this was my first and only brush with the law.

At no point was i ever fingerprinted and we have moved address. I am british with a british passport but living in ireland where i was convicted, we have been to america 3 times before and want to go back next yr.

Whats the likelyhood that it'll show up, i know i can go through immigration in dublin and think that will probably sow but what about if i go to the uk first? Its more confusing because of the no fingerprints and british passport.

Post #82 above is instructive. UK misdemeanors are not on the US Immigration computers. Have a good time in the US.

I really wouldn't chance it. I just got sent back home on a plane, they do now hold some information on UK Criminal Records even from 10/ 20 years ago. I was so looking forward to a trip to New York with my girlfriend and my first trip. As soon as we got off a Newark Aiport after waiting in line, the customs & border agency took my prints. Things were ok but then asked me why I ticked no on my ESTA. I explained it was 20 years ago or so, anyway took me in a lift waited, got questioned in a small room, took my passport put it in a plastic envelope. They sent me back for the following flight back to London, lucky the airline waived the flight fee

travellers must understand the us customs do not have access to uk criminal records,that is a fact,finger printing in the us airports are for there own databases trust me i know this from the horses mouth, and passports only hold information about you not your criminal record,if you are a major terrorist or a dangerous criminal on the run that will flag up but thats every airport around the world not just the us.

i wont too go too the us but i have a criminal record.
i last got chared when i was 16
i am not 22 wiv a long team illness called crhon's
i really want too see the us an many other place's next yr