Hi
I posted here recently regarding entering the USA with a criminal
record. Yesterday I had my appointment at the American Embassy in London
which was a very interesting experience. As you may remember my offences
were all related to protesting against fox-hunting and therefore I was
worried that the 'political' nature of my crimes may cause me trouble
due to the climate in America right now.
The following information are for those who wish to holiday or work in
the USA and who wish to get a B-2 Nonimmigrant Visa.
For those who need to know (and who find the conflicting information
confusing) this is the process:
- Firstly, walk into a police station and request a National
Identification Service report on your police details. This costs about
£20 and takes up to 40 days to come back. You need this document or
you will not get your Visa.
- Call the Embassy and organise an appointment. State that you have a
criminal record and that you need a 9am or 9.30am appointment (you
will not be seen after this time). You will then be sent a pack of
information.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_ne.../interview.html
- Included in this pack is a slip of paper that you need to bring to a
Barclays Bank and you pay £60. The receipt needs to be brought to
the Embassy. You cannot pay this money at the Embassy, it MUST be
done before.
- Complete Form DS-156 Online and print it (attach a 2" x 2" photo which
is NOT UK photo booth standard). On this form you will indicate that
you have criminal convictions.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_ne...electronic.html
- Complete Form DS-157 and print. This is standard information you are
providing and must be completed by males aged 16 - 45.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_ne.../add_males.html
- Print and complete by hand the Form VCU-1 which details all of your
convictions. Copy information from the form you get from the Police.
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_ne.../add_crime.html
You will need to bring a bunch of other stuff with you to the Embassy
including your passport, proof of savings, proof that you are coming
back to the country etc.
The website states that people with convictions should expect to wait at
least 16 weeks for their Visa (if it is granted) and others have told me
about waiting for up to a year.
I was waiting for 2 hours and then a very kind woman told me that my
crimes were not serious and that I would receive my Visa within 5
working days!!!
I was very happy. The Visa lasts for 10 years unless I commit another
crime, which is fantastic.
You then go and pay £9.50 to have the Visa delivered by courier (bring
cash with you).
It is a long process but really it is not as bad as you may think. I
wish someone could have given me this information in such a salient way
4 months ago. I hope this is useful for some people.
Cheers
Seamus
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