i have to apply for a visa i have all forms in place i have booked holiday for aug 08.im worried will i get answer in time anyone know how long it takes after interview london us embassy and what my chances are of gettin visa my offence was burglary aged 17 now 32 but is still on my record
2007-11-01 06:19:41 · 15 answers · asked by emilywaller@btopenworld.com 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
This conviction should now be spent. If the police are still holding info a your record, you can order them to delete it. There was a case in the news today about this very issue. Minor offences recorded for too long, they are not allowed to do it.
If you went to jail, it should be recorded for 10 years after release.
If you got a fine - 7years after release
If you got a community order - 5 years
If you got a discharge - 3 years
After this period, the police must delete their file.
2007-11-01 06:25:36 · answer #1 · answered by Phil McCracken 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Why are you applying for a visa in the first place?
Is your crime considered a CIMT (moral turpitude)? Is it your only offence? Were there drugs involved?
You should get a consult with a US immigration attorney (you can do this online) and/or do some more research before you apply for the visa.
NOT all convictions require that you get a visa, depsite what the (Very conservative) wording is on the US Embassy/London's website!
Thank you to CPG for clearing up the others' misunderstandings on 'spent' crimes.
2007-11-01 07:47:26 · answer #2 · answered by BeenThereDoneThat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
August 2008 is more than enough time, you will be told on the day of your interview if your visa application as been successful or not. After your interview you can expect to wait 5 working days for the visa to be processed and then it is just a matter of waiting for your passport to be returned via the post, this could take days, weeks or months. There is no telling.
Your chances? It is hard to say, personally I can't see them refusing you.
In regards to leeincognito's answer, he obviously does not fully understand American visa law. Just because the U.K, as spent convictions, the United States do not and that is the important part.
The person is question is applying for a visa to the U.S. not a visa to the United Kingdom. The laws in the U.K. have no bearing on those imposed by the United States or any country for that matter in regards to obtaining a visa for said country.
Under United States visa law people who have been arrested are required to declare the arrest when applying for a visa. If the arrest resulted in a conviction, the individual may be permanently ineligible to receive a visa. In order to travel, a waiver of the permanent ineligibility is required. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to United States visa law. Therefore, even travelers with a spent conviction are required to declare the arrest and/or conviction.
Edit:
In regards to Beentheredonethat's answer - it does not matter if the crime is considered a CIMT, they are still required to apply for a visa. Anyone who as been arrested and/or convicted does not qualify for the visa waiver program, the nature of the crime is irrelevant in this matter.
Even travelers with minor traffic offenses which resulted in an arrest and/or conviction for the offense may not travel visa free and must declare this and apply for a visa.
Travelers who have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, and those with criminal records, (the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law), are required to apply for visas. If they attempt to travel without a visa, they may be refused entry into the United States.
American visa law quite clearly states this.
2007-11-01 07:41:45 · answer #3 · answered by CPG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have plenty time to get your visa.
What you need to do is get hold of copies of any poice and court records about your case to present to the Embassy (apply for a police check form now if you don't have one already).If the copies of your records are not available ask for a letter from the court to say so and take this letter with you when you go for interview. You will be asked about your crime, it helps to stress you were young and stupid, hanging around with the wrong crowd, show you know how wrong your behaviour was. Exlain you learned your lesson, changed your friends and have not been stupid enough to do anything illegal since then.
You'll be fine I'm sure.
2007-11-01 16:03:29 · answer #4 · answered by freebird 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it stays on your record permanently, but I would check that with the police. I know that offences committed as a minor are supposed to be expunged after a few years, but I don't know if it works the same for an offence like burglary at age 17. U.S. immigration will probably have it because I think they have to be informed of any offence no matter what age. You could check with U.S. Embassy by 'phone.
2007-11-01 06:27:27 · answer #5 · answered by Tammy 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You should be fine. August of 2008 is more than enough lead time for them to investigate
2007-11-01 06:23:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
t3h2 (about your comment) . Emily and family just want to go on holiday ! It was 15 years ago !!
people should be allowed to get on with life
It sounds like you havent got a life, You LOSER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-11-01 07:06:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
lee is wrong on this one because US doesn't have spent conviction laws.
However, US does recognize 'juvenile status' on crimes, so if your more recent record is good, I don't think you will have a problem after all this time. They will look at the totality of facts, however, which we don't have here.
2007-11-01 06:29:53 · answer #8 · answered by DAR 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You are an idiot t3h2
Ever heard of a second chance?
2007-11-01 06:27:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anti theist 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
you could always break into the embassy at night and steal one
2007-11-01 07:58:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋