ESTA US Visa Query

[yowie71]

Re: ESTA US Visa Query [bond ~2007]

yowie, what have you done??!!

I was dragged to court by summons 2 1/2 years ago for the ungodly crime of taking a few wheelbarrows loads of garden mulch from crown land neighbouring my own property that I reasonably believed to be a waste product of trees being felled. Long story short, case was dismissed by the magistrate who in doing so ticked off the police prosecutor for wasting his time. => no arrest (made myself available to police to make a statement) and no conviction - police check is clear. Have answered No to question 2 of ESTA (serious harm/serious damage, etc) but after reading many posts, I have doubts...

 

[opusman]

Re: ESTA US Visa Query [bond ~2007]

I was dragged to court by summons 2 1/2 years ago for the ungodly crime of taking a few wheelbarrows loads of garden mulch from crown land neighbouring my own property that I reasonably believed to be a waste product of trees being felled. Long story short, case was dismissed by the magistrate who in doing so ticked off the police prosecutor for wasting his time. => no arrest (made myself available to police to make a statement) and no conviction - police check is clear. Have answered No to question 2 of ESTA (serious harm/serious damage, etc) but after reading many posts, I have doubts...

Sounds like mulch ado about nothing to me.

 

[carly]

Re: ESTA US Visa Query [bond ~2007]

Hi Yowie,
i know the exact feeling you are going through but I wouldn’t stress about this.
You weren't arrested or charged, and you have a clean record therefore you would tick "no".
My partner has a record, which was my concern. After looking at multiple websites for relief we decided it'd be best to book an appointment with the U.S consulate and see whether or not he would need a Visa (mind you he was approved the Visa Waiver straight away)
We paid $180 to get a copy of his record, which outlined his charge (Affray T1), He met with the U.S consulate in Canberra and discussed his arrest and whether or not he would need to apply for a Visa. He was told as his Visa Waiver was accepted he doesn’t need a Visa and Affray T1 doesn’t fall under Moral Turpitude.
I couldn’t tell you exactly what went on in the meeting as I didn't go in with my partner, what I do know is he is elligable to travel under the visa waiver program. No matter what you have though (Visa, or Visa Waiver) only the customs officer at the port of entry has the final say whether or not you get in.
I did speak with others about this, I was surprised to hear the stories, for instance a friend of a friend had previously assaulted a police officer, had multiple drug charges however ticked "no" on the ESTA and got in , no questions asked.

I hope this helps in some way, but if you are like me, you might want the opinion of those that know best - the U.S consulate.

 

[yowie71]

Re: ESTA US Visa Query [bond ~2007]

Hi Yowie,
i know the exact feeling you are going through but I wouldn’t stress about this.
You weren't arrested or charged, and you have a clean record therefore you would tick "no".
My partner has a record, which was my concern. After looking at multiple websites for relief we decided it'd be best to book an appointment with the U.S consulate and see whether or not he would need a Visa (mind you he was approved the Visa Waiver straight away)
We paid $180 to get a copy of his record, which outlined his charge (Affray T1), He met with the U.S consulate in Canberra and discussed his arrest and whether or not he would need to apply for a Visa. He was told as his Visa Waiver was accepted he doesn’t need a Visa and Affray T1 doesn’t fall under Moral Turpitude.
I couldn’t tell you exactly what went on in the meeting as I didn't go in with my partner, what I do know is he is elligable to travel under the visa waiver program. No matter what you have though (Visa, or Visa Waiver) only the customs officer at the port of entry has the final say whether or not you get in.
I did speak with others about this, I was surprised to hear the stories, for instance a friend of a friend had previously assaulted a police officer, had multiple drug charges however ticked "no" on the ESTA and got in , no questions asked.

I hope this helps in some way, but if you are like me, you might want the opinion of those that know best - the U.S consulate.

Thanks Carly, appreciate you getting back to me. The whole things so confusing and contradictory across all the different US sites - ESTA, customs, consulate.

 

[carly]

Re: ESTA US Visa Query [bond ~2007]

Hi all

I’d like to touch base as my partner and I have just returned from an amazing trip overseas!

We had no issues entering U.S or Canada even though I was worried about his criminal record. He didn’t need a VISA and just entered using the ESTA and ticking “no” to the crime question.

This was our instruction after meeting with the US consulate, however as we didn’t receive anything in writing we were still a bit nervous.

We had an amazing time and cannot wait to go back.

I know not a lot of people come back and tell their side of the story so wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone for their input and help.

Turns out, I stressed myself out for months for nothing!!!!!

 

[yowie71]

Re: ESTA US Visa Query [bond ~2007]

Hi all

I’d like to touch base as my partner and I have just returned from an amazing trip overseas!

We had no issues entering U.S or Canada even though I was worried about his criminal record. He didn’t need a VISA and just entered using the ESTA and ticking “no” to the crime question.

This was our instruction after meeting with the US consulate, however as we didn’t receive anything in writing we were still a bit nervous.

We had an amazing time and cannot wait to go back.

I know not a lot of people come back and tell their side of the story so wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone for their input and help.

Turns out, I stressed myself out for months for nothing!!!!!

Thanks Carly, you were kind enough to enter one of earlier posts and I too can say that I recently entered the US after answering no to criminal charges/convictions on the esta site. I decided not to ask any questions via a consultant before travelling and was more than a little nervous when I approached customs but was able to pass thru with no problems.