Tourist Visa/Criminal Record Timescale Problems

[typsin 0]

I hope someone can give me some information(and hope). I was referred to this site as the fountain of all knowledge.

Basically, I am applying for a tourist visa for a short visit to the USA for a wedding in November. I cannot get an ESTA due to a criminal conviction about twelve years ago. (Theft from Employer)No custodial sentence but I had to serve a period of community service.

I have applied for an ACPO certificate( which will take about ten days to arrive ) and have completed and submitted the DS160.

Today I rang the appointment line in London who took my money and advised me that I would have to scan the ACPO certificate and send it to them, they would respond about five days after they had it and tell me to book an appointment .The appointment line would not book an appointment at this time.

My questions are : Is all this a pointless exercise due to my past criminal record and that a visa just will not be granted.

Or I will I be told on the day that a visa will be granted

Or the visa may be granted following the interview but then does this bring into play the waiver of ineligibility which it says can take up to 20 weeks to process.

I am also concerned at the overall time scale as I was told today that there are interview dates in September but by the time I come to schedule an interview it is going to be mid to late August and due to commitments ,I cannot leave it later than the end of September to get a decision.

I note that the website shows 48 days waiting for an interview at present which if I wait for another three weeks to book the appointment .

Any one have a similar experience or can offer some guidance or even hope as to my chances.

Thank you for any assistance (apologies for the length of a first post)

Edited July 30, 2012 by typsin

[Boiler 46,000]

If it is a CIMT then non immigrant waivers seem to be taking 6 months or so to process.