New Visa Rules ????

[bubbles uk]

After reading an article in the paper last week I am a bit worried as to whether I will be able to travel to the US under the visa waiver programme.

I do have a machine readable passport and I travelled to the US last year without any problems but have since read that even having a minor traffic conviction can affect visa status and having a minor traffic conviction I need to apply to the American Embassy for a visa.

I am unsure about what to do in this instance and am wondering whether I would be best served by just not mentioning it,after all we all know how computers make mistakes.

Any advice would be helpful.

 

[IanBond]

Originally posted by bubbles uk
After reading an article in the paper last week I am a bit worried as to whether I will be able to travel to the US under the visa waiver programme.

I do have a machine readable passport and I travelled to the US last year without any problems but have since read that even having a minor traffic conviction can affect visa status and having a minor traffic conviction I need to apply to the American Embassy for a visa.

I am unsure about what to do in this instance and am wondering whether I would be best served by just not mentioning it,after all we all know how computers make mistakes.

Any advice would be helpful.

Im absolutely certain thats wrong,Lets face is everyones been fined for speeding sometimes if not your lucky!!
I think the only driving offence you require a visa for is drink driving,email the embassey they ll tell you

 

[Celestine]

I would guess this is if you end up with a criminal record, i.e. have lost your license (whether it be speeding, drink driving etc.) as this is recorded on the police national computer along with other "crimes". I can't see that a 3 point speeding endorsement would be accessible by the embassy as this info. is held by DVLC in Swansea

 

[Korbs]

I don't think you need a visa for minor things like speeding, unless you have actually lost your license as another poster said. We just got back yesterday and my stepfather has points on his license and didn't need a visa but my mother had a driving ban for drink driving about 15 years ago, so she did get a visa and it was a lot of hassle. Had to go up to london, so i went with her. Appointment was at 11.00am so the plan was to make a day of it, and do shopping and lunch after. Got up there, were told to stand in line. I went to oxford street to have a nose about and told mum to ring when she was done. My mum stood in line for about 3 - 3 1/2 hours, then waited inside for at least another hour. Her turn came, she said they asked only a couple of questions, it was about five minutes, visa approved, stamp! What a lot of hassle for something so quick. We met back up about 4.30 and were too fed up to go shopping so had lunch and went home!

 

[bubbles uk]

Thanks for your replies but I am still a bit worried after reading this

Important: Some travelers may not be eligible to enter the United States visa free under the VWP. These include people who have been arrested, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction, those with criminal records, (the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law), certain serious communicable illnesses, those who have been refused admission into, or have been deported from, the United States, or have previously overstayed on the visa waiver program. Such travelers must apply for special restricted visas. If they attempt to travel without a visa, they may be refused entry into the United States.


Note: Travelers with minor traffic offenses which did not result in an arrest and/or conviction for the offense may travel visa free, provided they are otherwise qualified. If the traffic offense occurred while you were in the United States, and you have an outstanding fine against you or your did not attend your court hearing, it is possible there may be a warrant out for your arrest, and you will experience problems when applying for admission into the U.S. Therefore you should resolve the issue before traveling by contacting the court where you were to appear. If you do not know the address of the court then information is available from the Internet at: www.refdesk.com.

Which I found on the US embassy website.http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/niv/vwp.htm
The confusion I have is that I was convicted in court for speeding about 5 years ago but it didn,t cause me any problem last time I went.I just wondered if things had got even tighter or whether I should just keep my mouth shut.I really cannot be bothered going to London for a visa.

 

[gavvy]

Hi
Just thought i would say- i was convicted for speeding last year- though i ddient attent court myself my case was heard there and I had points and a fine. I asked the American Embassy if this would affect me going to the USA- they said no, as long as it was not Drink driving or any "serious" offence then it is not recorded on the police computers against your name.

When I applied for a new job this year I had to Have a Criminal backround check against me and my speeding offence did not appear on it. - I have visited the USA 3 times since the offence and have had no problems whatsoever.

So- I dont think you will have any problems at all.

 

[ukfloridafan]

DH had his licence returned after a 12 month ban for drink driving in 1985. We have visited the US 4 times since 1997 under the VWP scheme with no probem.

Have we just been lucky ? Has the scheme conditions changed? Was there no central police register then?