On Feb 19, 11:18 pm, Bob wrote:
> I don't know about canucks because they don't use VWP's, but you
> wouldn't be able to use that again, so at a guess, you'd need a B2 for
> trips over.
Whether or not you can use the VWP depends on the offence, although
there's lots of discussion about that. I made some phone calls to
inquire about whether or not I was VWP eligible before using it (to
make sure my offence didn't bar me from the program or exclude me from
entry without a waiver. Fortunately that's not one of my problems, so
long as the laws aren't changed or don't become more strict to exclude
me... then I'd need a waiver since I have acquired Canadian
Citizenship so I don't use the VWP anymore anyway).
Canadians don't get B2 visas. There are two forms, I-192 and I-601.
The I-192 is advance permission to enter the US. I'm sure anyone can
apply for it, but I wouldn't bother doing so unless I was told I
needed to (because if you apply and have no reason for doing so, it's
kind of strange... they'd wonder why you aren't just entering like
every other Canadian citizen). When you receive the I-194 (I think
that's what it's called when the I-192 is approved, according to
another forum I read), a Canadian with this waiver will be filling in
an I-94 just like every other visitor on a Visa, and the officer will
tell you when you must leave the US. So the privilege of staying for
six months just to visit is over... if you tell them you're going for
a week, they might just put that on your I-94 card. An I-601 is issued
when the person is inadmissible to enter (this would apply to someone
who is excludable on medical grounds, or criminal grounds, however I
cannot be sure who should apply for an I-192, and who should apply for
an I-601. That's a little too technical for me to understand, and I do
know of a few people who need waivers, but I think they need an I-192.
I only know one person who needs an I-601, and that's for medical
reasons.
> As for other countries, well you'd probably need a visa to go visit
> those, but your best off looking at those country consulate websites
> rather than asking on a US immigration forum.
Contacting the consulate is the best option in every case just to find
out. Ironically the more corrupt nations will care a whole lot less
about a minor conviction, but it's not something you should admit when
travelling. Even some embassies might advise someone not to admit it
if it's not very serious, and their record was expunged, dismissed,
condition discharge, etc.
S.
|