going to new york with a criminal record (crime, how much) - City-Data Forum

gerri1977 · 09-09-2007, 11:39 AM

Hi can anyone help me iv booked a surprise holiday to new york for my husbands 30th birthday we go next month i did not realise you need a visa if you have a criminal record and i do not have the time to apply for one now the charge he has is assult and he had a weapon he did not do any jail time just a fine, and before that was driving without any road tax this was over 3 years ago will we be sent home if we just go can anyone advise im very upset by all this i had no idea.

Shinny · 09-09-2007, 12:00 PM

Gerri, where are you coming from?

rlrl · 09-09-2007, 05:48 PM

contact an immigration attorney

straightshooter · 09-09-2007, 06:55 PM

fragomen is one of the best immigration law firms in the city. depending on how much it will cost you to hire them, it might be worth looking into it.

mead · 09-09-2007, 07:26 PM

I am thinking you are coming from the UK?

Ok in situations like this you can usually schedule an emergency meeting with a person at the American consulate so that they can give you a rushed visa. With the criminal record though I am not certain that they will grant you the visa though. You really need to call up the embassy and ask.

Was this crime a felony or a misdemeanor? I am pretty sure Homeland Security/Customs has some records on their computers from other countries, but if it was just a misdemeanor I doubt it will be an issue. However I would be scared to risk a 7 hour plane ride and then be forced to turn right around.

I would suggest you give the Consulate a call.

gerri1977 · 09-10-2007, 02:51 PM

im coming from scotland iv been on the embassy site they say they will not rush anyones visa and it can take over 8 weeks i only have 5 he has been in and out of canada a few times without any probs my husband was charged with assault about 3 years ago and before that driving with out tax the plane tickets are non refundable so im snockered either way.

Shinny · 11-20-2007, 04:43 AM

Ger, just wondering how you got on?

I never got a chance to reply, but I think mead gave you great advice there. It's what I would have suggested. You can also ask to view your husbands records, which would have been useful when meeting with the American Embassy Contact.

S

Lindsey_Mcfarren · 11-20-2007, 04:46 AM

I don't know if this is true but I had been told they don't seperate crimes in the UK the same way we do in that we use misdemeanor and felony, I heard they do not.

I would imagine with the way things are that his name could be flagged if he trys to travel and they could send him back without letting him out of the airport.