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Visa for america?

Travel Info
is it true you have to have a visa if u r flying to america and you have a criminal record ,how serious does the crime have to be

Travel Tips

Yes. It is true that if you are traveling to the United States and are not a US citizen, you have to have a Visa (from certain countries), and an Electronic Travel Authority if your country participates in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program.

As for what types of crimes one is allowed to commit and still be permitted to enter the United States, I am not aware of any certain type of list. I do know, from personal experience, that when I leave the United States and travel to Australia, I can contact the Australian Embassy and purchase my Electronic Travel Authority to enter Australia before I purchase my tickets. This is what you should try to do. Contact the United States Embassy in the country of your origin to find out if you are eligible for a Visa/ETA prior to your purchasing the ticket. It would be horrible for you to pay several hundreds or even thousands of dollars to travel here and then be told you had to go back because you could not pass through Immigration. (They WILL do that to you). Once you are cleared for entry to the United States, you should then buy your ticket.

I also know that if you have committed certain offenses (that amount to a conviction of a felony -- which is defined in the Untied States as a conviction which is greater than 1 year -- even if any of the time is suspended, or it is served on probation) you are not allowed to enter for up to 10 years.

Once again, I would HIGHLY advise contacting the US Embassy in your country first. If you are not satisfied with their answer (and that may be possible), contact an airline in your country and ask them if they can issue you a Visa or ETA (whatever your country is required by the US) before you purchase your tickets. It takes about 1 minute to do, and if you are approved, ask them specifically if by the US granting you a Visa, does that mean you can definitely gain entry in the country.

I know it sounds complicated, but that is the reason there are Immigration Attorneys, and the reason they are VERY well paid. Fortunately, I graduate law school May 20, and will be looking to practice in the middle part of the year.

Good Luck.

Others
as long as your not wanted,it should be OK,
Yes, you do have to have a visa when you enter the U.S.A with a criminal record. It is always better to get a visa before going if you have any questions of getting into the country. I had issues with a visa a few years ago and was happy to get the thing settled ahead of the trip because it is vey uncomfortable to have to explain your intentions of the trip at the airport. It might take hours and you do not have any guarentee that you will get in if you get an unco-operative imigration officer to deal with you. The embassy is not easy with you either but if your criminal record is not bad it should work out okay. So my advice is to get in touch with any kind of issues before the trip with the embassy.

Good luck:)