Oh no! Visa needed. Really bad news :(

[Madeye]

:ohno:

Me and Wes in picture on left are going to WDW in October but Wes :nono: has done something really daft. He's been arrested and charged for drink driving. But i think its really unfair because he was found drunk in his car but not driving. They had to convict him anyway. He's got the lowest ban and fine but still.....he's been arrested and convicted. :banned:

This now means he's gonna need a visa. He's phoned the US Embassy and they've told him yes he does need a visa but the next nearest apointment is in 5 weeks then it will take 14 weeks to be processed! :eek:

He asked if he could pay more to get it sped up but they said no. :tears:

I don't know what to do. He said he never gave his name so all can do is risk it. I'm just hoping that lots of ppl go without realising they need a visa and are fine.

I've looked at past posts and it seems ppl who have had similar problems were convicted a long time ago whereas this is a new conviction. I'm going to be stressing all the way there. :sigh:

[Cosmic Reas]

Well it looks like you have no other choice other than to risk it. :fingers:

[psdjmem]

Could you possibly reschedule until he gets the visa I know that would be a bummer but better than having some problems at immigration. January is a great month to visit and he should have his visa by then. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

[Melfuzz]

Depends if its already paid for doesnt it.

If you can reschedule do because immigration always look scarey too me.

If you cant you have no choice but to risk it.

[tb2830]

im not sure if i would risk it ........i always look guilty even when i havent done nothing wrong........but i think i agree with melfuzz if its not paid for yet i would change dates ........nothing worst i think than travelling all that way to be turned away

[Melfuzz]

Did he explain the holiday was in October so it was an urgent case?

If not try that

[Wendy]

im not sure if i would risk it ........i always look guilty even when i havent done nothing wrong........but i think i agree with melfuzz if its not paid for yet i would change dates ........nothing worst i think than travelling all that way to be turned away

And there is alot to lose if he does get turned away...............he would not be allowed entry to the US in the future.
Have you given him a :slap:?

[Vikki]

I don't think I could risk it, :iagree: with Wendy

[leonaluvspooh]

Hi,
I don't mean to sound dis-respectful, but "risking it" will be the worst mistake if you get caught. "Risking it" seems to be the most common comment from people not having to apply for a visa - again no dis-respect to the previous post.
Having applied for a visa myself, I can imagine how you are feeling right now.
My husband and I went to London last August (2004) in application for visas. Mine was a minor conviction from when I was 16 and my husband's was a motor conviction.
In our experience, we changed our holiday dates from 2004 to 2005 to accomodate the timescale in applying and receiving the visa. But we wished we hadn't. We visited the embassy on the monday morning, and by thursday morning, the passports (including visas) were delivered back.
I think they have to cover themselves for extremely busy periods of visa application and for more extreme conviction cases.
But don't take my experience as set-in-stone proceedures. It could have been a one-off.
My husband's friend went to Belfast to apply and he had to wait 3 weeks for the return of his passport and visa, but he didn't have to spend as much time in the Embassy as we did in London. (I think the cues are just a lot longer in London).
Please don't be dis-heartened about the application for the visa, it's really nothing. In America at imigration, they just scan your visa and take your photo and fingerprints, just like everyone else. You are not singled out in any way. Believe it or not, there's a lot of people in your other half's shoes.
In my opinion, it's better to spend the extra money at this end to prevent broken-hearts at the airport on arrival in USA and not getting in.
Hope everything works out ok.
Best of luck.
Leona :)

[Dawn]

Yeah, what she said above me. :D

[Madeye]

Could you possibly reschedule until he gets the visa I know that would be a bummer but better than having some problems at immigration.

No we can't reschedule. We're going with my Dad and his partner. It's supposed to be for my 21st. They can't change the dates because of work.
:(


Have you given him a :slap:?

Yes i have! :slapped:
He spends his whole time sulking. He feels really bad about it :resent: Its so not like him. Completely out of character. He only drinks about once a month at the most!

Did he explain the holiday was in October so it was an urgent case?

Yeah i was there when he was speaking to them on the phone and he pushed for answers and any way he could get it back sooner but the guy just wasn't having any of it.

Hi,
I don't mean to sound dis-respectful, but "risking it" will be the worst mistake if you get caught.


I know :cry3:
On the phone the guy at the embassy said that it sounds as if it'd need sending to Washington to be processed because its a new conviction. He said that old ones go through quick. I just don't know. :unsure:
Last year when we went through immigration they didn't take fingerprints or a picture and that was on Sept 11th. Half of me want to apply for the visa and hope it comes back in time and the other half is saying that lots of ppl go every year with motor convictions and don't even know they need a visa.
Also in previous posts on here i've read that although its serious here in America motor convictions arn't that bad so they let you through. Its strange. I've looked everywhere for information and it seems the the US Embassy say different things to the US Immigration. Its like ones been updated whilst the other hasn't. Wes has found a clause somewhere where it says a visa is needed if the crime meant 6months+ in jail, or something like that. He's also found this site:

http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/forum/20/1spring2003/c_immigcrim.html

This seems to imply that because to not a crime of violence and only a motoring conviction that it should be alright. :shrug:

Anyway thanks for all you replies and sorry for the long post! :blush:

I'll let you know what plan of action we decide to take!

[Keith]

Sorry to depress you but we've had other threads on the "6months" thing etc. it's not the case.

There are different levels according to which scheme you use.

So for example, to use the no visa needed, visa waiver programme, the standard is "no arrests" for anything. Minor traffic offences not resulting in arrest are ok (so you go 40 in a 30 and you get a ticket in the post for example).

Then there are different standards for if you even get a visa! and yeah, different rules apply.

It's almost certainly, like 99% certainly, *NOT* ok for him to use the VWP :( if he does, he risks getting detained, questioned, and deported possibly not to return for many years to come.

Will he get caught? no idea at all.... as you say, many do it every day and don't get caught but it's not a risk I'd take for myself.

[JuniorMickey]

Also in previous posts on here i've read that although its serious here in America motor convictions arn't that bad so they let you through. Its strange. I've looked everywhere for information and it seems the the US Embassy say different things to the US Immigration.
Speeding isn't a big deal here but DUI very much so is :shrug:

[triciacarole]

im not sure if i would risk it ........i always look guilty even when i havent done nothing wrong........

Me too, I always get flustered at immigration and have nothing to hide, DH despairs of me :blush: . If there is only a small deposit to lose I would go with that rather than upset those scary immigration officials :afraid: .

[pluto]

I know you so don't want to hear this but is there any chanc of a holiday refund and to reschedule to a NON U.S destination... Yes I know you REALLY want to go to DisneyWorld but is 2weeks in Florida worth the hassle of getting caught. There are some lovely places around the world you could try

[MystikPiglit]

Poor Madeye :there:
I have to agree with previous posts that it is definitely not worth the risk.
Perhaps it may be worth ringing the embassy again to see if they will see you sooner, they might have cancelled appointments...

[davelympany]

I would just take a chance mate, if you cannot re schedule you dont have a choice. I have a mate who was banned for drink driving 6 months before he went to US this was back in 2003. he had a year ban and the only thing affecting him was unable to hire a car over there. He went through immigration with no probs. He didnt even know he may have needed a visa!

Good luck Dave.

[Wendy]

The difference now being the list of passengers that is sent ahead to the US immigration for each flight...........I 'm not sure how much information they hold, I would just be concerned that it is such a recent conviction, his name might flag up?
Its not something I know a great deal about but the names of each passenger is checked before arrival in the US by the US authorities. :shrug:

[Keith]

Wendy's right... it's a risk that's increasing all the time.. just because someone got in yesterday doesn't mean you'll get in today.

Then there's the whole thing that you know you're breaking the law anyway :/ It's upto the US what it wants to have as rules for the VWP and the more people that break them, the more likely it is they'll say ok no more VWP!

[YNWA]

I know this may sound stupid, but cant u take a friend instead of your boyfriend = Problem solved!

[Melfuzz]

Not for the boyfriend it isnt!

[Kate2005]

Poor Madeye :hug: what a horrible time for something like that to happen to you both - not good timing at all
If it was me in your position, I think i would try and reschedule the whole holiday (if you havent paid for it yet), i really wouldnt want to take the risk of getting all that way, then being departed and not being able to return for ages, i would be so upset :tears:
Let us know what your decision is

[Keith]

yeah wow! leaving the boyfriend home = a much more serious problem imho :)

[Vikki]

:yes:

[modteam]

DWUOG DOES NOT CONDONE RISKING IT. Here is the site's official take on things like this.

DWUOG will not be held liable for any information (valid or invalid) presented on any page in this site, and will not be held responsible for anything that happens as a result of following advice or information on this site, and does not represent the Walt Disney Company in any manner.

[busby182]

ok so the airlines send a passenger list to the US..... under the data protection act how on earth do they know if an individual has a criminal record let alone just arrested:confused: :confused:

[psdjmem]

I know this may sound stupid, but cant u take a friend instead of your boyfriend = Problem solved!

I was thinking the same thing :shrug: leave boyfriend home -- it would be harsh, but it is like our situation with our son who is a senior in high school this year -- in a new school -- the prinicpal is not thrilled in fact almost hostile about the idea of taking him out for 8 days. The deal with our son is if you have perfect attendance, no tardy, no slips from teachers for no homework, and grade have to be at least a B in all classes then we will take him out if not ..... well we'll send ya a postcard :( I would hate to do that but I want him to understand consequences of his actions if HE does not do the work he can't go.

Woudl boyfriend understand maybe just take one of your close girlfriends and take boyfriend another time you dad and his girlfriend would understand. Best of luck at getting that visa quickly!

[miraclemoments]

The deal with our son is if you have perfect attendance, no tardy, no slips from teachers for no homework, and grade have to be at least a B in all classes then we will take him out if not ..... well we'll send ya a postcard :( I would hate to do that but I want him to understand consequences of his actions if HE does not do the work he can't go.

I have the same guidelines for my son as you do for your PSD, and a few trips ago, we actually had to *enforce* it :afraid:

He had fallen into the habit of "forgetting" his homework, and so he actually did miss out on a trip with us...Boy was *that* difficult!

[uscwest]

Yep I remember that trip Miracle. I know you were totally beside yourself but you made a good choice sweetie.

[psdjmem]

I have the same guidelines for my son as you do for your PSD, and a few trips ago, we actually had to *enforce* it :afraid:

He had fallen into the habit of "forgetting" his homework, and so he actually did miss out on a trip with us...Boy was *that* difficult!

ouch! that is such a hard thing to enforce it was probably worse on you than on your son!! I will say the new school has a fabulous system all - the teachers post thier homwork online and you can check it each day!! This is such a help to parents and to kids too really no more I forgot my homework. I hope that the teachers keep up with it. I figure if I go in two weeks before we go and he has a good record, talk to the teachers it should go well. Send pixie dust to that principal!!

[pluto]

MODTEAM are you a Mod... if not your name,post and sig is confusing me ?

[Melfuzz]

Thats the thing we dont know how much info they are provided so its a dangerous risk to take.

[Slowhand]

MODTEAM are you a Mod... if not your name,post and sig is confusing me ?

The Modteam account is used by all the mods and admins Pluto.

[pluto]

Oh I see. So if you have an issue you can post using the MODTEAM name...... oh I see I thought it was someone wanting to be a MOD... just a bit confused....

Thanks

[Whitequeen]

We use Modteam if it is a collective post or PM from all of the Moderating Team, as opposed to individual Forum Mods. :thumbs:

[triciacarole]

Oh I see. So if you have an issue you can post using the MODTEAM name...... oh I see I thought it was someone wanting to be a MOD... just a bit confused....

Thanks

Not the Jam then :wink:

[uscwest]

Oh I see. So if you have an issue you can post using the MODTEAM name...... oh I see I thought it was someone wanting to be a MOD... just a bit confused....

Thanks No, only MEMBERS (moderators, administrators) of the MODTEAM, can post using that account.

[Madeye]

Right we've decided to go for the visa option! There was no way to reschedule and i know it sounds sad but i really don't have anyone else to take with me!
After phoning the US Embassy in London back they told us that there is no way at all to get anything any sooner. That in total we'd be looking at 19 weeks! So....and thankyou thankyou thankyou Belfast-JJ!!! We phoned the US Embassy in Belfast and they've given us an appointment on the 13th of September and the processing wait is 4-5 weeks minimum. So fingers crossed its within the 5 weeks......

[Wendy]

:thumbs:Great news! :clap:

Belfast JJ--------------> :sman:

[Keith]

wow nice idea JJ!!!!!!!

and madeye, you're definitely doing the right thing!

[pluto]

Not the Jam then :wink:

No not the Jam :rotfl:


Yeah thats what I meant USCWEST... You guys/girls can use it... That's cool.... thanks for clearing that up for me :thumbs:

You made the right decision MADEYE. I was hoping you wern't going to risk it

[Vikki]

We all wish you the bets of luck, and I think you're doing the right thing

[MystikPiglit]

Good luck, Madeye :)

Well done, Belfast-jj!

[Melfuzz]

Well done JJ

Madeye you can just look forward to your holiday now without the worry. :)