ESTA & CRIMINAL RECORD

[jamiewarren09]

Hi,

Friends of mine are getting married in America this year, i am from the UK.

I was looking at filling out the ESTA form and getting an ESTA visa, however one of the questions on the form (the only regarding criminal records is: )

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a crime that caused serious harm or damage to a person, property or government official?

with a YES / NO answer.

Now, here is the thing - 4 years ago i had an issue with an ex girlfriend, i at the time was arrested, and i pled guilty to 'stalking without intent to harm'

I am unsure how to answer this question, because no harm was caused, nor damage to a property e.t.c

I regret pleading guilty, but at the time i seemed like the quickest solution to end everything.

My biggest feat about going to the states, is not being allowed in and being sent back home. I have major anxiety, and the thought of flying into America from the UK, and then being told no, and then having to wait and go back, worries me.

I will be travelling with my girlfriend of 4 years, and plan to stay in new york & texas for 14 days max.

The wedding is in texas.

Please advise.

Thanks

[charleshilll]

I see it's been a while since this was discussed, but I wanted to ask—has anyone had any recent experiences with ESTA applications in similar situations? Policies and border checks can change, so it would be interesting to hear if anyone has updates. Also, did anyone here end up applying for a visa instead of using ESTA, and how did that go?

[Marjorielou]

If your arrest didn't lead to a conviction, it might not show up on public records, but it could still be accessible to immigration authorities. Even if something seems minor or was expunged, it’s good to check exactly what appears on your record. Some travelers have had issues even with old or small offenses. If you're unsure, getting legal advice before applying might save trouble later.