Hi Frequent Folks,
I have perused previous threads on this topic but alas could not find anything with relevance, so if there is one, please forgive me in advance.
I recently applied for a short term tourist visa to visit my daughter in Coventry, England and today received a response which denied me access to the visa. The reason for the denial was that I have previously been sentenced to incarceration for a period of between 12 months and 4 years which is correct. I received a 3 year sentence suspended for 6 months ( meaning I was incarcerated for 6 months only). Fair enough I'll cop that on the chin and wont challenge as I believe I will only get the same result and a lot of wasted time and money.
So the big question is should I risk getting into the country. I will be travelling with my wife and two children and it would not be a pleasant experience (wrath of wife) should they gain entry and I have to return to Australia. I know the best advice is to discuss perhaps with Migration Agents in the UK (and I will) but if anyone has had any experience with entry to the UK without a visa and a recent criminal past I would love to hear your comments. To pre-empt your response my questions are:
1. Are you required to disclose any criminal convictions before you enter the border i.e. entry card on plane?
2. Whilst the conviction was for a white collar offence and not violence or drug related, do Australia and UK share data and will I be flagged on presentation of my passport?
Appreciate your comments and of course wisdom you who fly alot
I have perused previous threads on this topic but alas could not find anything with relevance, so if there is one, please forgive me in advance.
I recently applied for a short term tourist visa to visit my daughter in Coventry, England and today received a response which denied me access to the visa. The reason for the denial was that I have previously been sentenced to incarceration for a period of between 12 months and 4 years which is correct. I received a 3 year sentence suspended for 6 months ( meaning I was incarcerated for 6 months only). Fair enough I'll cop that on the chin and wont challenge as I believe I will only get the same result and a lot of wasted time and money.
So the big question is should I risk getting into the country. I will be travelling with my wife and two children and it would not be a pleasant experience (wrath of wife) should they gain entry and I have to return to Australia. I know the best advice is to discuss perhaps with Migration Agents in the UK (and I will) but if anyone has had any experience with entry to the UK without a visa and a recent criminal past I would love to hear your comments. To pre-empt your response my questions are:
1. Are you required to disclose any criminal convictions before you enter the border i.e. entry card on plane?
2. Whilst the conviction was for a white collar offence and not violence or drug related, do Australia and UK share data and will I be flagged on presentation of my passport?
Appreciate your comments and of course wisdom you who fly alot