Any US (citizen) visa experts?

[Pekka]

MtG, I want to know how I can get me a visa, even though I'm convicted bastard for smoking the pot years ago, and paid fines for it. You see, I have to be honest with the forms, and it asks that question clearly. I might get barred forever if I lie. I don't want that. But then again, they might still not take me because I'm such an evildoer.

I've been thinking this for MONTHS, adn I can't come up with solution, except that I need outside help, I don't need cheating, I mean someone with real knowledge with these issues. I have too much at stake losing the privildge to visit the country as tourist if I screw up the visa application. For example, my mom lives there. It would suck if I never got to see her.

[MichaeltheGreat]

What type of visa are you considering applying for?

Also, how long ago was your conviction?

[Dr Strangelove]

Go to the nearest U.S. embassy ya idjit! They're the ones with all the good immigrations stuff!

[MichaeltheGreat]

You don't want to ask 'em "Hey, can I still get a visa if I'm a convicted doper?" though.

[Pekka]

It was.. 6? years ago. Something like that. Last millenium anyway. It was just stupid crap I did as a teen. But I'm marked, though I don't have criminal record. It still shows. God damn registering mofos individual freedom limiting bastards never forgiving elephant memory officials!

Well first, I'd apply for student visa. I'm coming to study there, as a transfer for a year or two. I almost have it worked out, and I have very much work to do to make it possible. I have do lots of work for over a year to make it possible, and if it collapses on me on the last minute when I'm supposed to hop on the plane.. that would be just unthinkable you understand. If everything goes well, I might be applying for normal visa status, or maybe green card if I can get a job first there. This is my plan. Now, if any of this backfires, it also means I'm barred from coming, because I have to answer question 'have you ever been denied visa'..... and that's no longer visiting relatives, ever. So you understand the stake is too high to just camble.

And no, I'm not a threat of any kind.

[Pekka]

dr strangelove, I'm afraid to do that. They'll say what's up, and if the info is negative, I'm convinced they'll have it on some register and later on turn me down anyway no matter what.

[Bereta_Eder]

I knew some guys who smoked pot at the army. I used to get a ride in their car at our leaves. Thank God I wasn't busted Although I didn't smoke it but the cops wouldn't have cared about that if they stopped us. Not that I'm dying to go to the US or anything, but once I should.

Good luck Pekka, it's stupid if they won't let you go because of this.

[Pekka]

paiktis, well it sucks. I mean, I never even really smoked it.. tried it few times. I get nausea, so I didn't even get any vibes from it. Was it worth it? No.
Am I a doper? Absolutely not. I'd prolly kick my ass if teen version of me would walk across me.
And it's stupid, because some of my friends still smoke, and most people I know have tried, but they haven no problems if they had to apply for a visa. Only difference is that I'm licensed.. and they never forgive you. Never. No matter what you do.

[Pekka]

So I figured, since this is kind of gambling and losing would be maybe too great of a risk, if there is someone that could possibly help me out some way (legal ways), and would be kind enough to do that.... I could have my shot right there. I just need it so bad.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by Pekka
But I'm marked, though I don't have criminal record. It still shows.

Please explain. Marked how?

There is a semi-non-token backround check, but it depends on laws in Finland whether the classification of the offense and your age (legal adult or legal juvenile) at the time - in most US states, a juvenile misdemeanor arrest does not create any adult criminal record that is normally accessible.

Hell, we have a known former cokehead and party boy as President, as well as an "I didn't inhale" former President, so it's not likely that they'd get bent over a disclosed, prior juvenile possession offense, unless that's the excuse and you're really a commie or something the US really doesn't want.

The background check is pretty cursory, and most of the interest in F1 applicants (other than them not being commies or too-obvious terrorists - i.e. shave the beard) is monetary. Are you actually admitted to a school? Do you have the bucks to live and go to the school without working in the US? Do you intend to get your lovely little ass back where it belongs, rather than try to sneak in the back door to live here? That's mostly the interest area.

[Urban Ranger]

What other documents are required to get your student visa? Here, they used to want something called "certificate of no criminal records" that was issued by the police.

[MichaeltheGreat]

They don't do that any more in many visa classes in the US, because it was found that it was too easy for the applicant or the applicant's handler to pay off someone to sign the form, so in theory, that verification is done by US consular officers through their channels.

The external documents you have to supply now for the F1 visa relate to the study program and finances only.

[Bereta_Eder]

Pekka, listen to MTG and also I think you should go to a very good lawyer, the best you can afford, and arrange all your moves beforehand. Don't go like a lamb in the slaughter.

[Pekka]

UR, exactly. And that isn't supposed to show my criminal record, because I DON'T HAVE one. But it even has speeding tickets I think from years 1922 I think. Our system is like the old DDR.

MtG, The problem is, if you did it when you were 14 it don't matter.. there is a register for it that never goes away. Criminal record is different, that's hen you have to do actual crimes that are counted as serious or more serious thna little things. That I don't have. But it is marked in other registers. What else can I think? For example I applied for a job few years ago when I didn't have a place to study, everything went smoothly, and they asked me if they could check my backround, and I said sure go ahead. Well there was no options there, now was there. And then suddenly 'we're sorry, but the place is already taken'. So that was that. We don't apply forgiveness here, even when we're liberal heaven.

And yes, sometimes I feel like I'm the one marked and then again I'm the only one NOT doing drugs, and living the straight line.

I'm being honest with you, take my word or not, but I have no plans of sneaking in. If I sneak in, I woulnd't get a good job anyway. I plan to study there, then get my ass back and finish my degree and then hope I made good connections while there, and apply for jobs BEFORE coming there. I'd have my stuff financially ready in theory, and I'm not as of yet accepted to school there, but before I'll apply visas I would be. It's no problem.
But after all that (getting place at school, putting my financial plans working, the whole 9 yards) denied visa would be horrible outcome.

Furthermore, why would I sneak in if I can get my welfare check here for scratching my butt. I don't want to sneak in, trust me. I'm not a hiding type of fellow. I learned my lesson from the first time of fooling around with the rules and they still have percussions to this day it seems, so I'm not looking for any more reasons to make my journey more difficult. I'm playing by the book.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Pekka
UR, exactly. And that isn't supposed to show my criminal record, because I DON'T HAVE one. But it even has speeding tickets I think from years 1922 I think. Our system is like the old DDR.

If they still want one of those certificates in Finland, since you don't have a criminal record, it seems that you should be home free. Even if the US consulate doesn't require it, you may still want to get one anyway, to verify that you have no criminal records.