Sunday 19 May 2013

Granted B2 visa with multiple convictions

Today my husband had his interview for a B2 visa to go on holiday to the USA. After getting an ACRO certificate, making an appointment, paying the $160 MRV, gathering all the documents and filling in the DS160 I decided to do some research on the internet to see what his chances of being granted a visa were. I should explain that he had multiple convictions (6 all together including - threatening words and behavior  drunk and disorderly and 2 assaults, he also received a 60 day prison sentence for the last of these offences, which was in 2005. He has had no involvement with the police since then - so 8 years). After researching on the internet I had no hope what so ever that he would be granted the visa. There are loads of stories about people being denied visas for only 1 conviction that happened years and years ago, so thought with my husbands history he had no chance. 


However I must say it was fine and he was granted the B2 visa, no recommendations, no denial, just granted the full 10 year visa! We were surprised and happy! Lots of the threads on the internet (and also many of our friends) said just tick the "no" box on the ESTA when asked if ever been arrested. Lots of people have done this and got away with it, however some people are luckier than others and it depends how big or serious the offences are as to whether you could get away with it. We were not prepared to take the risk of paying thousands of pounds to travel to the USA and get turned away on arrival and given a lifetime ban! We were prepared for being turned down and were of the mind set that even though it would have cost us a lot of money and people would say "told you so, should have just got the ESTA" that we had been honest, had nothing to hide and had done it all properly. We can now travel to the USA without worrying. Every case must be different, however I just thought a success story where the convictions were multiple and involved prison, might make anyone going through the visa process feel a little better. Good luck.

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