Can i get into the US if i have a criminal conviction from when i was 17....?

Taken from the US embassy, does this mean that i don't need to declare it??





(2) Criminal and related grounds.- (A) Conviction of certain crimes.-





(i) In general.-Except as provided in clause (ii), any alien convicted of, or who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of-


(I) a crime involving moral turpitude (other than a purely political offense or an attempt or conspiracy to commit such a crime), or (II) a violation of (or a conspiracy or attempt to violate) any law or regulation of a State, the United States, or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)), is inadmissible.





(ii) Exception.-Clause (i)(I) shall not apply to an alien who committed only one crime if-





(I) the crime was committed when the alien was under 18 years of age, and the crime was committed

Can i get into the US if i have a criminal conviction from when i was 17....?
Yes you can I think you can't live there but you can visit!
Reply:Of course you can, but don't tell them about it. They do not have access to your criminal records in your home country unless you are a terrorist. And whatever you do, do NOT go to the American Embassy in your country to apply for a VISA. If you belong to a country that will allow you to come here on a 90 days VISA waiver (meaning you do not have to apply for a VISA to get into the US) then you will not be in any sort of trouble to get here to the US. Make sure you have plenty money to support yourself here. Sometimes immigration will ask you to show that you can and will support yourself here.





Also make sure you know where you will be staying for your visit here because they will ask you that as well. Any hotel on the city where you fly into is fine even though you do not have reservation with them. They will not check it, however you need to have the address available for you to show them.





Also, don't listen to the travel agent above. She/he doesn't know what she is talking about. (I have my own travel agency as well, and I know the rules) You do not have to declare ANY convictions, you will have to answer if you were arrested ever in your home country, and like I wrote earlier, the US do NOT have access to your criminal records, but also you were a minor (under 18) when it happened so none applies to you, and you are free to enter the country. I am from Sweden myself and have traveled over 50 times back and forth to the US but now live here in the US and I know the procedures very well.





Don't get all rallied up by some of the answers here. You will do fine, just never tell them about the conviction because you were a minor when it happened and not an adult, so nothing bad will happen to you when you come here. Look at the last paragraph on what you wrote and you will have the answer.





You will do just fine and good luck in the US :)
Reply:Yes.
Reply:Put it this way you will never get in by admitting to it...


If its a minor offence just dont tell anyone be worried if you are likely to be blacklisted and found out for murder and terrorism.. Look how many genociders live abroad../
Reply:i agree with G.M
Reply:you do not state how old you are now , the length of time between the conviction and now may have some relevance .........you could be 92 .......but the exception at the bottom says it all , you were under 18
Reply:Well, that sounds like a crime commited as a juvenile does not prevent entry into the united States. Are you in the United Kingdom? The United Kingdom is part of the visa waiver program and citizens from there do not need a visa to enter the United States. They are required to fill out a tourist information form on the plane or upon arrival. I think the best thing for you to do so you are sure you have the correct information is to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and ask. There is frequently incorrect information given here on answers and this is too important for you to take a chance on getting the wrong information.
Reply:You have to declare any conviction no matter how small. If they check at the airport in the States which they are doing ALOT of then you will be returned to the UK and you will never be allowed to enter the States again.


Your best option is to apply to the US Embassy for a visa in advance. If the offense is nothing major then they should grant you a visa but being in the travel business for the last 16 years I wouldnt advise trying your luck on the visa waiver.


If you get turned away in the states you will not be able to claim back any money from your trip through your insurance as you will not be covered. This can be a lot of money to throw away for the sake of getting a visa in advance.








If you want to listen to the guy below and get sent back home then go ahead. I work for an american specalist and have worked in the embassy so I do know what I am talking about. Yes you could risk it but if you get caught you lose everything.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!