B-2 before K-1 + inadmissibility issues

[Fentoozler 0]

Hi all. First time post. Over 4 years ago I was convicted for Theft / Handling Stolen Goods. Stupid petty thing, huge mitigating circumstances, community punishment order, not drugs or anything serious. No arrests/convictions before or after

Been to USA several times before this event. Earlier this year was treated to surprise trip to Vegas, only found out about it 2 days before I went - didn't even think about inadmissibility until I came to fill the green form in on the plane - asked American passenger beside me what moral turpitude meant, he said drug, sex or violent crimes. I entered the US and enjoyed a wonderful 4 night holiday.

It is now apparent this advice was wrong. I didn't research before I left.

On top of all that, I met someone in Vegas - we plan to marry and will start the K-1 process in the new year, but I want to visit her family in the mean-time, and want to do it properly via a B-2 tourist visa.

What advice can anyone give me with regard to process and procedure - whether the B-2 is a good idea. I was planning on using an attorney for the K-1 process, but would hope to get a B-2 on my own maybe.

I am a UK citizen, living in England. My fiancee I have known on and off for around 20 years.

I can get good character references, from old probabtion officers, councellors, heads of business etc. I am a good guy, honest!

Edited October 29, 2006 by Fentoozler

[YuAndDan 153]

If you live in the UK and are a citizen you can visit on the Visa Waiver program ( http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html ), when the K-1 is in process though you will need to demonstrate strong ties to the UK, a letter from employer helps. Some who visit from the UK fly out of Shannon or Dublin Ireland, the US has pre-screening there and if they refuse entry at least it happens closer to home.

As for the inadmissibility issues, they should not pose too much of a problem, you are doing the right thing and getting an attorney involved, and perhaps will have to file a waiver.

Read: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/ineligib...ities_1364.html Sounds like your criminal mistake won't pose a problem.

[Fentoozler 0]

If you live in the UK and are a citizen you can visit on the Visa Waiver program ( http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html ), when the K-1 is in process though you will need to demonstrate strong ties to the UK, a letter from employer helps. Some who visit from the UK fly out of Shannon or Dublin Ireland, the US has pre-screening there and if they refuse entry at least it happens closer to home.

As for the inadmissibility issues, they should not pose too much of a problem, you are doing the right thing and getting an attorney involved, and perhaps will have to file a waiver.

Read: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/ineligib...ities_1364.html Sounds like your criminal mistake won't pose a problem.

I'm not elligible for the waiver programme (as I now know) due to my stupid criminal record, so I now fear what 'entering the US without declaring' will mean, although I did it innocently / niavely.

Thanks for your reply.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hi all. First time post. Over 4 years ago I was convicted for Theft / Handling Stolen Goods. Stupid petty thing, huge mitigating circumstances, community punishment order, not drugs or anything serious. No arrests/convictions before or after

Been to USA several times before this event. Earlier this year was treated to surprise trip to Vegas, only found out about it 2 days before I went - didn't even think about inadmissibility until I came to fill the green form in on the plane - asked American passenger beside me what moral turpitude meant, he said drug, sex or violent crimes. I entered the US and enjoyed a wonderful 4 night holiday.

It is now apparent this advice was wrong. I didn't research before I left.

On top of all that, I met someone in Vegas - we plan to marry and will start the K-1 process in the new year, but I want to visit her family in the mean-time, and want to do it properly via a B-2 tourist visa.

What advice can anyone give me with regard to process and procedure - whether the B-2 is a good idea. I was planning on using an attorney for the K-1 process, but would hope to get a B-2 on my own maybe.

I am a UK citizen, living in England. My fiancee I have known on and off for around 20 years.

I can get good character references, from old probabtion officers, councellors, heads of business etc. I am a good guy, honest!

How about meeting in Calgary? Nonstop flight connexions to Heathrow (for you) and Vegas (for your GF)--and NO VWP/B-2 issue.