Visa Services, U.S. Embassy London

I have read a lot about people with convictions on your blog, but it does not address my situation. I have been arrested and am due to attend court, but not for several months. In the meantime I am booked to travel to the United States. Will the pending court case affect my travel?

Anyone who has been arrested is not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, regardless of the fact that they may be awaiting trail.  If you wish to travel to the United States you will be required to apply for a visa.  We recommend that you wait until the trial is over and you know the outcome of your case.  However, if you have urgent need of travel prior to this, you may apply...

I have a drink driving ban. As it is not a crime of moral turpitude, will it affect my travel to the United States?

While a ban for drink driving is not considered a crime of moral turpitude, travelers who have ever been arrested and/or convicted of an offense are required to apply for visa which includes any alcohol related offense, including drink driving.   As you are not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program you should call the Operator Assisted Information Service to schedule an appointment...

My ACPO says No Trace or No Live Trace. I guess that means I do not have to apply for a visa!

No, that is not the case.  The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law.  Therefore a spent conviction, regardless of how long ago it may have occurred, must be declared and the traveler must apply for a visa as he is not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.    At the time you apply for the visa, you should also submit the court record(s) from the...

I was in a young offenders institute several years ago. I have been told that I will never be able to travel to the United States. Is this true?

Travelers who  have been arrested or convicted of an offense are required to apply for a visa; they are not eligible to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.  At the time you apply, you will be required to establish your eligibility for that visa under U.S. visa law.  Applicants with arrests or convictions may be ineligible on criminal grounds. Under certain circumstances those who...

We are changing the way in which we process visas!

We have begun prescreening visa applications for those who have ever been arrested, convicted or cautioned of an offense, or have ever been denied entry into or removed from the United States.  We realize that the wait time for an appointment with the Visa Coordination Officer can, at times, extend to several months. Pre-screening a prospective visa application is one way in which we can reduce...

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, Spent Convictions and the VWP

If you are planning on traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program you should be aware that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to U.S. visa law and a spent conviction, regardless of when it may have occurred, must be declared.   If you have ever been arrested or convicted of an offense, you are required to apply for a visa. An appointment for a visa interview can be scheduled...