can you enter the USA if you have a criminal record

sexy darren

need to find this out for some 1 who wood love to go thanks in advance

zAbbo

too risky, you may get turned away, although they now do immigration at Dublin Airport so at least you won't have to travel there then be turned away.

What was the offence?

Dave!

I think it depends on the offence.

BuffyBot

From the embassy website:

"Some travelers are not eligible by law to enter the U.S. using the Visa Waiver Program. These include people with certain serious communicable illnesses, criminal record/s, previous exclusion or deportation from the U.S. and those who have previously violated their status using the Visa Waiver Program."

His/her best bet is to check with the embassy.

Depending on what it is,your friend may be allowed to enter with a Visa.

In other words,his conviction will exclude him from the visa waiver programme but it might not necesarally exclude him from getting a visa.

It does mean that unlike those without a conviction, your friend will definitely need to apply for a visa.He may need character references etc and it may take some time for approval if it is going to be approved.

Dellas

Go via the UK and do immigration on arrival the guy should be fine. Unless he was in prison for a major offence he should be ok . They do not check domestic records. Tell him also to get a new type passport with digital photo as this is considered more secure to forge than old type passports. On arrival he will be finger printed like everyone else that enters the USA. Tell him to act normal and just play it cool .

PokerTony

sexy darren wrote:

need to find this out for some 1 who wood love to go thanks in advance

Was the sentence for the conviction six months or less imprisonment/suspended?

Ruu_Old

Best call the embassy first (they might just tell you its up to the border control), but it costs too much to fly and be turned away. Call the US Embassy in Ballsbridge.

Benedict XVI

Ruu wrote:

Best call the embassy first (they might just tell you its up to the border control), but it costs too much to fly and be turned away. Call the US Embassy in Ballsbridge.

I agree,talk to the embassy.
A guy from the Embassy was on the radio a few months back saying that anyone who is worried about not getting through the Visa Waiver Program at the airport (departure or arrival) should make an appointment with the embassy and give theor details, the embassy are then more than likley to give you a visa and you will have no problems at airport.

So if in doubt...talk to the Embassy.

Naked Lepper

oh btw the embassy will charge u 100 dollars per visit.... and their num is a 1580 thing or something
rip off bastards.. i paid 200 euros for 2 interviews cos they refused me a visa first time... i dont have any convictions but i was told to come back with more info and they still charged me twice

Ruu_Old

Naked Lepper wrote:

oh btw the embassy will charge u 100 dollars per visit.... and their num is a 1580 thing or something
rip off bastards.. i paid 200 euros for 2 interviews cos they refused me a visa first time... i dont have any convictions but i was told to come back with more info and they still charged me twice

What type of visa were you looking for?