Travelling from the UK to the USA with a criminal record
- Thread starter slish66
- Start date
metalsponge
New Member
How did you get on?Hi all, I’m hoping someone could please give me some advice as I think I’m in a bit of a situation hereI’ll try and keep it short and informative, I’ll also keep the forum updated on my progress so to help others make decisions in the future
so I have a few minor convictions from over 10 years ago (drug caution, affray and assault) I have some work coming up in America to work for a few weeks so I’ll need to be getting a b1 visa as I can’t go down the ESTA route. I’ve completed my ds160 and ticked no to convictions as I doubt I have any chance of getting visa granted in time if I declare.
Ill need to attend a visa interview at some point, is it likely that they will run the background checks on my criminal history? I have sponsorship letters from my company and will be requesting an expedited visa as I’ll need to be traveling soon.
I really hope these mistakes as a teenager won't come back to haunt me and ruin my future career progression.
thanks for any advice
So I had my interview at the British American embassy, I was quite nervous but held my confidence, answered all questions asked at my interview truthfully, they never even questioned my criminal record. (I dressed smart and realized once I saw other people I probably didn’t need to
. But I wanted to make a good impression).The lady told me on the spot my visa was granted, I picked it up a few days later with a 1 year business visa.
fast forward a couple of months, I flew and went through customs fine, just had to wait for a few mins in a room whilst they verified my documents and paperwork to show why I was out there for business. I wasn’t worried as my work colleague who flew out with me had exactly the same.
I am currently chilling on the 25th floor on my 5* hotel in the USA, so I can say it was a success.
my advice for anyone else here looking for information - say no and go!
metalsponge
New Member
So I had my interview at the British American embassy, I was quite nervous but held my confidence, answered all questions asked at my interview truthfully, they never even questioned my criminal record. (I dressed smart and realized once I saw other people I probably didn’t need to
The lady told me on the spot my visa was granted, I picked it up a few days later with a 1 year business visa.
fast forward a couple of months, I flew and went through customs fine, just had to wait for a few mins in a room whilst they verified my documents and paperwork to show why I was out there for business. I wasn’t worried as my work colleague who flew out with me had exactly the same.
I am currently chilling on the 25th floor on my 5* hotel in the USA, so I can say it was a success.
my advice for anyone else here looking for information - say no and go!
Oh wow so you never had to give them a police certificate? Glad to hear you got through anyhow!So I had my interview at the British American embassy, I was quite nervous but held my confidence, answered all questions asked at my interview truthfully, they never even questioned my criminal record. (I dressed smart and realized once I saw other people I probably didn’t need to
The lady told me on the spot my visa was granted, I picked it up a few days later with a 1 year business visa.
fast forward a couple of months, I flew and went through customs fine, just had to wait for a few mins in a room whilst they verified my documents and paperwork to show why I was out there for business. I wasn’t worried as my work colleague who flew out with me had exactly the same.
I am currently chilling on the 25th floor on my 5* hotel in the USA, so I can say it was a success.
my advice for anyone else here looking for information - say no and go!
hitmouse
so defeated, thinks it's funny
Fairly sure I know the answer to this one, but just to check: the situation with record-sharing between the UK and Canada is basically the same as between the UK and US (as in, it doesn't really happen for the most part), right? I just want to double-check that the Canadian bizzies don't get like some special access to British police files because of being subjects of the crown or anything? Everything I've seen suggests they don't, but am open to hearing otherwise?
platinumsage
HaveMyPassword123
Not that I‘m aware of, although every time I’ve been to Canada their border guards have hit me with unexpected questions, so watch out for that as they don’t seem to just ask the usual predictable stuff that the USA border people do.
hitmouse
so defeated, thinks it's funny
I'm enjoying the idea that I'll have to pass a pub quiz before being let in. Will be sure to revise my knowledge of World Cup goal scorers, Christmas Number Ones and Eastenders actors before travelling, just to be on the safe side.
1%er
Well-Known Member
The police forces in the UK do not routinely share criminal record information with any other country, for a foreign agency to get information regarding criminal records from the UK is a complicated procedure and involves the Home Office not just the police.
Enjoy your time in Canada
hitmouse
so defeated, thinks it's funny
Thanks for confirming!
2hats
Dust.
Reportedly the UK has signed up to share police biometric data with US CBP/DHS.
This came to light when US DHS representatives, meeting with a EuParl committee, apparently stated they would reintroduce visa requirements unless granted access to EU biometric databases.
www.patrick-breyer.de
This came to light when US DHS representatives, meeting with a EuParl committee, apparently stated they would reintroduce visa requirements unless granted access to EU biometric databases.
Internal LIBE meeting with US Homeland Security: Plans for biometric databases put EU citizens' data at risk
Yesterday, members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) had an informal meeting with representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. During the meeting, the new US “International Biometric Information Sharing (IBIS)” programme was pr
1%er
Well-Known Member
My understanding from what little information is available at this times is that the UK may provide Biometric data on digital photos and fingerprint information, but this isn't really clear. If and when I find more information about this I will email the Home Office and ask some questions.
From what I have read so far there is no indecation that information from the police national computer will be made available.
From what I have read so far there is no indecation that information from the police national computer will be made available.
PhillipK187
New Member
This post - Legendary!
Has anyone been recently??? (incase of last minute changes within customs etc)
I am going over in just over a week from now in this very predicament with a couple of minor and one assault charge from my past so I am nervous, but this post brings some sort of comfort.
I am going over from New Zealand though and not from the UK, but N.Z is under the same information sharing agreement as the U.K (5 eyes) so I am hopeful I will make it through US customs via ESTA by saying no...
Thanks all! (will let you all know how it goes) - seems to be a lot of people on here not reporting back but a fair few who do, props to you guys!
Has anyone been recently??? (incase of last minute changes within customs etc)
I am going over in just over a week from now in this very predicament with a couple of minor and one assault charge from my past so I am nervous, but this post brings some sort of comfort.
I am going over from New Zealand though and not from the UK, but N.Z is under the same information sharing agreement as the U.K (5 eyes) so I am hopeful I will make it through US customs via ESTA by saying no...
Thanks all! (will let you all know how it goes) - seems to be a lot of people on here not reporting back but a fair few who do, props to you guys!
PhillipK187
New Member
Anyone here been recently or in the past from New Zealand or Australia? Or anyone from the UK more recently? I depart for the U.S in three days from now
moochedit
I'm not feeding seagulls
Would have thought advice is same as leaving from uk. Although i don't know if oz/nz share criminal record info with the usa?Anyone here been recently or in the past from New Zealand or Australia? Or anyone from the UK more recently? I depart for the U.S in three days from now
PhillipK187
New Member
Yeah I'm hoping and thinking the same thing, because NZ and Aus are under the exact same information sharing agreement as far as I know which the U.K are with the U.S (The five eyes information sharing) so I do not see why NZers or Aussies would have an issue with saying no on an ESTA and getting in if people from the U.K have not had any issues. (hopefully - lol).
I've read this thread entirely, I get the general consensus, I guess because I'm not coming from the U.K and am coming from NZ I am nervous as hell still and in some way seeking further reassurance not only from U.K people, but from any NZers or Aussies. Thanks all.
pogofish
Testicle Hairstyle
Anyone here been recently or in the past from New Zealand or Australia? Or anyone from the UK more recently? I depart for the U.S in three days from now
Start reading here:
Travelling from the UK to the USA with a criminal record
Hi, Does anyone know anything about going through usa customs from the uk, with a criminal record? We have had a holiday to america booked for months, and now with 3 weeks to go have found out that if you have a record , no matter how minor, you need to get a visa waiver from the american...
www.urban75.net
PhillipK187
New Member
All right, I'm back here to report...
Unfortunately I did not get the easy access this forum made me think I might get, after landing and getting to the Customs officers kiosk, he asked me to come into secondary, here... he knelt down to eye level with me and said "According to our shared criminal database with your country you have a historic crime involving MORAL TER PEEEEEEEEE TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD, therefore I am going to have to send you on the first return flight back to your country, and just like that...my dreams and money went up in smoke.
On a more realistic note, I arrived in the airport, lined up, customs officer asked me what am I here for, how long, what do i do at home for work, and said "bye bye have a good time" and I was on my merry way.
So I can confirm that as of August 2022 you can still say NO on the ESTA, go through, and RELAX. Please don't waste your time worrying endlessly like I did. As many here have said before, unless you're on the interpol most wanted list or are a very very serious criminal on a global watchlist - It is very unlikely your old criminal record will be pulled up. I had an assault charge and a DUI from 11 years ago.
And for anyone here reading from New Zealand or Australia, I travelled from New Zealand on an NZ passport.
Thank you to everyone here who's posted to verify this and come back after travelling, and thank you to all the other people here who repeatedly answer the newbies questions over the years, this thread is a rare piece of digital forum that I found after searching for hours and I may have not gone on the experience of my life if it were not for this thread.
Ya'll legends!
Hi. Just wondering if there’s any more information on this yet. I can’t seem to find anything but maybe someone else knows a bit more?
I’m travelling to NYC on 21st November 2022 and having read this thread in the past I was comfortable that I would just tick ‘No’ on the ESTA and walk straight through. Now having read this article I’m very nervous that once they take my fingerprints when I arrive, my caution for possession of a class A drug will flag up, even if it was over 10 years ago.
If anyone knows anything more or can let me know where I can find out more that would be great.
Thanks everyone
ddraig
kicking against the pricks...
Read the post before yours
Thanks for the reply.
I have read the previous post but I was under the impression he travelled to the US from New Zealand. I’m not sure it’s quite the same scenario as it’s the UK that have reportedly signed an agreement to share biometric data with the US.
I may be wrong but was just trying to find out if any else had managed to find any more information about the UK sharing its biometric data with the US?
Cheers
kebabking
Not a Girly Swot, but I like them....
Is it not just easier to apply for, and get - or not get - a US visa rather than waste all this energy on will I/won't I get through, and the possibility that you'll be deported from the US border?
In hindsight yes, I probably was better off applying for a visa when we booked the trip several months ago. Unfortunately I convinced myself that I wouldn’t need one based on the amount of posts on here that say ‘they only know what you tell them’ and ‘just tick no, you’ll be fine’. It is only now that I’ve read the article on data sharing that I am becoming slightly concerned.
I have now probably left it too late and I don’t think I can chance either not getting my appointment in time or my visa not being processed on time.
Looks like I just need to keep my fingers crossed and hope that if the UK have actually agreed to share data with the US then this won’t be in place by November when I go on my trip.
Cheers
Bahnhof Strasse
Met up with Hannah Courtoy a week next Tuesday
US gains police biometric data from UK - Identity Week
It seems this has come in to effect now between the UK and the USA. From the article:
The data-sharing arrangement means that fingerprint and facial profiles of offenders in the UK can be disclosed between the key decision makers to ensure safety and security across numerous sectors. NOTE Can be.
The level of offending which could present a terror risk to the U.S. will still need to be decided between both countries, as well as which serious crimes should be communicated despite not being deemed a risk by the British Intelligence. Seems they haven't locked everything in to place - yet.
I am due to fly to the USA next week and I have a DUI on my record from last year, so I will report what happens to me. I ticked "No" on the ESTA and travelled fine earlier this year. It just concerns me that if I get flagged it could become awkward,
It seems this has come in to effect now between the UK and the USA. From the article:
The data-sharing arrangement means that fingerprint and facial profiles of offenders in the UK can be disclosed between the key decision makers to ensure safety and security across numerous sectors. NOTE Can be.
The level of offending which could present a terror risk to the U.S. will still need to be decided between both countries, as well as which serious crimes should be communicated despite not being deemed a risk by the British Intelligence. Seems they haven't locked everything in to place - yet.
I am due to fly to the USA next week and I have a DUI on my record from last year, so I will report what happens to me. I ticked "No" on the ESTA and travelled fine earlier this year. It just concerns me that if I get flagged it could become awkward,
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