refused a visa?

[bozzly]

when getting a visa what excactly are the embassy looking for? Surely they wont refuse you one if you have convictions for motoring offences,eg theft,drink driving etc.( this is what I unfortunatly have) Are they only after the people that might pose a threat to thier country? In other words....what circumstances will you get refused a visa?
Has anyone from uk travelled on the waiver after being refused a visa?

[Goofyish]

I think they call them 'crimes of moral terpitude' - which I think includes violent crime, murder and drugs related crime. I would imagine terrorist crimes would also be on the list.

[IanBond]

Drink Driving is one thing you need a visa for But I would NOT Advise Using a Visa Waiver if youve been refused a Visa if caught that could result in a life time ban to the USA
Do it properly make an appointment at the embassey their very nice when you get there just be truthful I can not see their being a problem,Good Luck

[Celestine]

I suggest you take evidence to support your character too - letter of emplyment, evidence you have a good reason to return home, e.g. savings, mortgage etc. If you underwent the driver rehab scheme, evidence that you completed that satisfactorily etc. Whilst a hassle, it will save a return visit with all of this if they then ask for it.

[homerdog]

The simple answer is not to apply for a Visa in the first place! The US authorities have no way of telling that you have convictions of the type you state. :firefight

[gilld]

Homerdog

But then you'd have to lie on the Visa Waiver and if the regulations change in the future and you then need to apply for one, you'll be in trouble.

I'm afraid I'm someone who thinks rules are there to be adhered to and not broken. There is usually a good reason for them. :guilty:

[homerdog]

I'm afraid I'm someone who thinks rules are there to be adhered to and not broken. There is usually a good reason for them. :guilty:

Not in this case there isn't, it's just paranoia on the part of the US Administration. I like the US and it's citizens, but not the idiots in charge of it!

Anyway, I was not telling anyone to lie, I was merely stating what the reality of the situation is :)

[Cochise]

There was a previous thread of someone attending the Embassy in London and they were refusing entry to people who had travelled on the Waiver illegally in the past. I will be going for the waiver having a couple of cautions and an under age drinking, but i must understand on my head be it.

[gkjones]

Drink Driving is one thing you need a visa for But I would NOT Advise Using a Visa Waiver if youve been refused a Visa if caught that could result in a life time ban to the USA
Do it properly make an appointment at the embassey their very nice when you get there just be truthful I can not see their being a problem,Good Luck

If you are refused a visa, I am sure they stamp your passport with refused on it, so you couldn't just go anyway!

[gkjones]

The simple answer is not to apply for a Visa in the first place! The US authorities have no way of telling that you have convictions of the type you state. :firefight

How can you be so sure they have no way of knowing. Also, you have to fill a visa waiver form on the plane and one of the questions is Have you ever been arrested or been convicted? If you answer no then you are lying, and if in the future you have no choice but to apply for a visa, then they will know you have lied in the past to enter the US, you will probably be refused a visa for lying. Also, I don't know if it is true or not but I heard that while you are on the plane flying to the US, spot checks are done on the name list of passengers, and you could be singled out and checked out before you land then refused entry when landing.

[Cochise]

Spot checks on what ?

Two police forces cant even warn each other that a known child felon is applyng for a job at a school so I dont think they have the ability to spot check anything from the US. They can however check if anyone is on a list of people who are wanted via interpol (not the flower company ;) ) or on a list of people they will not allow into their own country. But i agree that if you get stopped in the future its hard luck for lying.

[kazzie]

I have been told by a police officer that the US have absolutely no access to our criminal records.I'm sure in the case of terrorists or 'known' persons this is all waived but for us regular Joe's it just isn't feasible or legal.