I don't normally post info on forums however I found it very valuable in regards to this topic, so here is my story.
Much like everybody else, I was planning a trip to the US. All my friends told me that getting a visa was an easy process that takes about 5 minutes on the internet.
However when the question asking if I had any convictions came up, I decided that honesty is the best policy and answered 'yes'.
From here on it was all downhill, many times through this process I thought about cancelling my flights, hotels, etc... and spend my time and money in a country that welcomes me without interrogation.
First I had to fill out the DS-160 form. Parts of this document become comical when they ask you questions like 'are you a terrorist'. After completing the form and uploading a passport photo I was able to submit it. Only then could I see the fee for NIV which was $208, once again only after paying the fee could I schedule an appointment at a consulate.
I was due to fly out start of August and the earliest appointment was in mid-August. After tying to contact the Consulate for advice as to whether I could get an earlier appointment and following numerous prompts I finally spoke to quite possibly the rudest lady I have ever encountered. She was absolutely no help at all, the only thing she said was keep checking the schedule and hope that an earlier appointment becomes available through a cancellation.
At this stage I started to regret being honest, I thought how would the US know that I was convicted for 'resist police' 17 years ago? It was also at this stage that I thought about cancelling the trip and holidaying in Europe. Given that there is three consulates in Australia I thought I would check Melbourne and Perth for an earlier appointment.
To my surprise Melbourne had an opening a little over a week before I departed, so I took my chances and booked it in. Later that day I checked again and found an appointment available one week earlier. This gave me a week to get my supporting documentation ready for the interview and a glimmer of hope that I would get a visa in time to go.
Things started to look up, I filled out an application for AFP police check to take to the interview as advised by the US visa website. I was a little worried as the AFP stated it could take up to 15 working days to receive, however the next day I received an email to say it was completed and being sent via the post.
When it arrived I noted that it was the wrong form. I called the AFP helpline and they informed me that I needed an 'Immigration' check form (Code 33) not the 'Visa' check form (Code 35). I resubmitted the form and I am still waiting for it. Due to the delay in waiting for the AFP name check, I contacted the courts and asked if I could get a record of my conviction.
This was a very easy process, cost $40 and received it within two days. Although they strongly advise that you should have a police check with 'full disclosure' I had ran out of time and had to take whatever I had.
I took my Passport, photo, DS-160 confirm page, appointment confirmation, incorrect police check, court document of conviction, pay slips, bank statements, leave approvals...basically anything I thought I may require for the interview. I grabbed my stuff, jumped on an overnight bus and made the 8hr journey to Melbourne.
At the consulate I was called up to the counter to give my passport and DS-160 confirm page. On the DS-160 I stated that I would be attending Sydney for my interview (I was hoping this wouldn't be a problem). The girl noticed it was for Sydney and said that she would need to request my information to be sent to her and this may take an hour.
I left the consulate to grab a coffee and await their phone call to return once my info was obtained. No more than 5 minutes later I was called to return for my interview. The interviewer asked for my reason to travel, asked me to explain my conviction and asked what I did for a living and who was my employer.
They took a photocopy of my name check and court document, informed me that my visa is approved and I would receive my passport within five days from a courier.
Three days later I had my passport and visa back in my hands.
It's a little bit of a long winded story but my advice at the end of the day is do the right thing! With a month before I was due to fly out I started this process. I was pretty sure that I would get a visa as my conviction was 17 years ago and it was the only one.
What I was worried about was the amount of time it would take, a lot of stories on the net stated people waiting months for visa approvals. If you are short on time I would advise you to, make sure you have all the documents to support your case, if you have a conviction and not much time to waste get documents from the courts (it takes days not weeks).
I had about 40 pages of stuff and all they needed was two of them, however if they needed other stuff to support my case I would have had it there ready to go, hence not delaying the process. It is also worth mentioning that the US consulate and employees were helpful, polite, professional and friendly...unlike a lot of the comments I have read about them on various forums. If you have everything ready this process is quick and easy.
Turns out Honesty is the best policy!
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