Additional Administrative Processing

Travelers with a Criminal conviction(s)

Under United States visa law people who have been arrested at anytime are not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program(VWP); they are required to apply for visas before traveling. If the arrest resulted in a conviction, the individual may require a special restricted visa in order to travel. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to United States visa law. Therefore, even travelers with a spent conviction are not eligible to travel visa free; they must apply for visas.

Travelers who have been afflicted with a disease of public health significance, a mental disorder or drug addicts / abusers

Travelers to the United States who have been afflicted with a disease of public health significance, a mental disorder which is associated with a display of harmful behavior, or are a drug abuser or addict, are not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. They are required to apply for visas and a waiver of the permanent ineligibility.

Note:Travelers with mental illnesses can travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) provided that their condition does not render them a danger to themselves or others. They may wish to carry letter from their doctor to that effect to facilitate their entry into the United States.

Travelers afflicted with HIV

Travelers to the United States who are HIV-positive are not eligible, under current United States visa law, to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. They are required to apply for a visa and a waiver of the ineligibility before traveling.

Travelers who have been denied entry into the United States, have been deported or removed or have overstayed on a prior visit

Travelers to the United States who have been denied entry into the United States, have been deported or removed, or have overstayed on a prior visit are not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. They are required to apply for visas before traveling.

Travelers who have been refused a visa

Travelers who have been refused a visa under the provisions of Section 221(g) or 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act are not prohibited from traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).However, they will be questioned by an immigration official at the U. S. port of entry regarding the refusal by the Embassy or Consulate.

Therefore, they should ensure that they carry evidence of their intention to depart the United States at the end of the visit. This is generally satisfied by furnishing evidence of strong social and economic ties to the traveler's place of permanent residence. There is no set form that this should take as each person's circumstances differ. If the immigration officer is not satisfied that the traveler meets the qualifications for nonimmigrant status, the traveler will be denied entry.

If the immigration officer is not satisfied that the traveler meets the qualifications for nonimmigrant status, the traveler will be denied entry.

Reminder: No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.

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