K-1 Interview in a Week and Worried about Criminal Record

[naynos 1]

Hello. I am a K-1 Visa Beneficiary. My fiancee filed a petition for a K-1 visa in California back in January. Everything has been approved up to this stage and the visa interview is scheduled on the 20th of July 2016 in Accra, Ghana. I have two criminal offences and I am a bit worried. They are as follows:

-21 SEPTEMBER 2010 (AGE 19 YEARS OLD): UNAUTHORISED DEALING WITH SHOP GOODS (MAXIMUM $150). WITHOUT CONVICTION. RELEASED ON ENTERING RECOGNISANCE TO BE OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR FOR 12 MONTHS. PAY RESTITUTION: $3.50

-10 MARCH 2009 (AGE 17 YEARS OLD): UNAUTHORISED DEALING WITH SHOP GOODS (MAXIMUM $150). CONVICTED. FINED $300

These offences occurred in Australia and I was young and silly. They didn't affect me working there as a Systems Analyst. After the offences, I completed my Bachelor of IT and Masters Degree in IT and I am a Red Cross blood donor (don't know if that will show I have changed but I added it to list of Charitable Organizations I have contributed to on DS-160 application). Should I be worried about this in the interview and how much will it affect my chances of getting a visa approval? I have the police certificate and court records ready and I have listed these offences on the DS-160 online application. If anyone could provide some insight that would be great!

Edited July 11, 2016 by naynos

[Caykay1 71]

Hello. I am a K-1 Visa Beneficiary. My fiancee filed a petition for a K-1 visa in California back in January. Everything has been approved up to this stage and the visa interview is scheduled on the 20th of July 2016 in Accra, Ghana. I have two criminal offences and I am a bit worried. They are as follows:

-21 SEPTEMBER 2010 (AGE 19 YEARS OLD): UNAUTHORISED DEALING WITH SHOP GOODS (MAXIMUM $150). WITHOUT CONVICTION. RELEASED ON ENTERING RECOGNISANCE TO BE OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR FOR 12 MONTHS. PAY RESTITUTION: $3.50

-10 MARCH 2009 (AGE 17 YEARS OLD): UNAUTHORISED DEALING WITH SHOP GOODS (MAXIMUM $150). CONVICTED. FINED $300

These offences occurred in Australia and I was young and silly. They didn't affect me working there as a Systems Analyst. After the offences, I completed my Bachelor of IT and Masters Degree in IT and I am a Red Cross blood donor (don't know if that will show I have changed but I added it to list of Charitable Organizations I have contributed to on DS-160 application). Should I be worried about this in the interview and how much will it affect my chances of getting a visa approval? I have the police certificate and court records ready and I have listed these offences on the DS-160 online application. If anyone could provide some insight that would be great!

the Ghana embassy is tough. I'm a Ghanaian too and people with clean background are getting refused. To each is his/her own so go try your luck.

Edited July 11, 2016 by TBoneTX
to remove noncontributory comment

[Maa3110 2]

Hello. I am a K-1 Visa Beneficiary. My fiancee filed a petition for a K-1 visa in California back in January. Everything has been approved up to this stage and the visa interview is scheduled on the 20th of July 2016 in Accra, Ghana. I have two criminal offences and I am a bit worried. They are as follows:

-21 SEPTEMBER 2010 (AGE 19 YEARS OLD): UNAUTHORISED DEALING WITH SHOP GOODS (MAXIMUM $150). WITHOUT CONVICTION. RELEASED ON ENTERING RECOGNISANCE TO BE OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR FOR 12 MONTHS. PAY RESTITUTION: $3.50

-10 MARCH 2009 (AGE 17 YEARS OLD): UNAUTHORISED DEALING WITH SHOP GOODS (MAXIMUM $150). CONVICTED. FINED $300

These offences occurred in Australia and I was young and silly. They didn't affect me working there as a Systems Analyst. After the offences, I completed my Bachelor of IT and Masters Degree in IT and I am a Red Cross blood donor (don't know if that will show I have changed but I added it to list of Charitable Organizations I have contributed to on DS-160 application). Should I be worried about this in the interview and how much will it affect my chances of getting a visa approval? I have the police certificate and court records ready and I have listed these offences on the DS-160 online application. If anyone could provide some insight that would be great!

[Maa3110 2]

I always have a problem quoting the posts.

OP, the CO should be more interested in drug related offences and other more "serious" crimes. I think the fact that you have made something out of your life after your teenage years should be a mitigating factor. However this is the Ghana Embassy so it would be very difficult to predict what the outcome would be. Do pray and it shall be well. Wishing you all the best in the upcoming interview.

[naynos 1]

I always have a problem quoting the posts.

OP, the CO should be more interested in drug related offences and other more "serious" crimes. I think the fact that you have made something out of your life after your teenage years should be a mitigating factor. However this is the Ghana Embassy so it would be very difficult to predict what the outcome would be. Do pray and it shall be well. Wishing you all the best in the upcoming interview.

Thank you for the information. Makes me feel a bit better

[dwheels76 5,468]

Hello. I am a K-1 Visa Beneficiary. My fiancee filed a petition for a K-1 visa in California back in January. Everything has been approved up to this stage and the visa interview is scheduled on the 20th of July 2016 in Accra, Ghana. I have two criminal offences and I am a bit worried. They are as follows:

-21 SEPTEMBER 2010 (AGE 19 YEARS OLD): UNAUTHORISED DEALING WITH SHOP GOODS (MAXIMUM $150). WITHOUT CONVICTION. RELEASED ON ENTERING RECOGNISANCE TO BE OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR FOR 12 MONTHS. PAY RESTITUTION: $3.50

-10 MARCH 2009 (AGE 17 YEARS OLD): UNAUTHORISED DEALING WITH SHOP GOODS (MAXIMUM $150). CONVICTED. FINED $300

These offences occurred in Australia and I was young and silly. They didn't affect me working there as a Systems Analyst. After the offences, I completed my Bachelor of IT and Masters Degree in IT and I am a Red Cross blood donor (don't know if that will show I have changed but I added it to list of Charitable Organizations I have contributed to on DS-160 application). Should I be worried about this in the interview and how much will it affect my chances of getting a visa approval? I have the police certificate and court records ready and I have listed these offences on the DS-160 online application. If anyone could provide some insight that would be great!

These aren't offenses that bar anyone from getting a Visa. Doesn't involve Moral Turpitude conduct. For Ghana you have other issues. So I pray you have a robust and good pile of evidence you sent in with your I-129F petition and there were many long visits with each other. Proving a bonafide relationship is what gets you a Visa. Usually. Ghana is a whole nother matter.

[MrsBonsu 138]

No one can say if you should be worried about your past offenses, but like dwheels76 stated this is a tough embassy I'm hoping you and your fiancee gave them a well rounded proof of a bona fide relationship, how many times has your fiancee visited and how long did the fiancee stay? What kind of proof was submitted? I think this is what should be concentrated on as with any interview pray and good luck!

[naynos 1]

These aren't offenses that bar anyone from getting a Visa. Doesn't involve Moral Turpitude conduct. For Ghana you have other issues. So I pray you have a robust and good pile of evidence you sent in with your I-129F petition and there were many long visits with each other. Proving a bonafide relationship is what gets you a Visa. Usually. Ghana is a whole nother matter.

awesome! i have alot of evidence. good quality evidence. thanks for the advice

[naynos 1]

No one can say if you should be worried about your past offenses, but like dwheels76 stated this is a tough embassy I'm hoping you and your fiancee gave them a well rounded proof of a bona fide relationship, how many times has your fiancee visited and how long did the fiancee stay? What kind of proof was submitted? I think this is what should be concentrated on as with any interview pray and good luck!

i do have well rounded proof. well we started dating in Australia july 2014. she left to usa december 2014. came back to see me in Australia between may 2015 to august 2015 then left again (she's a student). She came to Ghana in December 2015 and left in January 2016. I proposed to her in January 2016. Proof like photos even photos with my family in GHana, bank transactions, flight tickets ( we visited melbourne), soccer match tickets, gift receipts for bdays and valentines day. awesome. thank you, will pray as adviced

[teddy k 35]

Hi when you get to the embassy be relaxed and confidence in yourself and be ready for whatever the CO throws at you and have faith in yourself and God too.. Good luck with the visa

[Kaysean 0]

Please be spicific about what type of family photos you will be adding.... So it wldnt be taken as some sort of traditional wedding. some Individauals have been refused by CO based on family photos taken into e context of traditional weddings

[OwenDonkor 1]

all went well. got the visa approved! thanks for calming my nerves peoples

[Maa3110 2]

all went well. got the visa approved! thanks for calming my nerves peoples

Congratulations!!! Do post a review!

[Kaysean 0]

Congrats!!!!