> 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
It sounds like you didn't even need the visa. It's better to be safe
than sorry though.
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