Confused, does he really need a B2??

[d.hart]

I am discussing my husbands situation. He is a law abiding British citizen, job, home owner, generally respectable. Wishing to visit the USA next April, for a brief holiday.

10 years ago he was accused of and arrested for a sexual offence. He was in no way guilty and (after the worst year of his life) went to court and found not guilty with a unanimous verdict.

This is unequivocal proof of innocence according to the British legal system.

But the question on the for for the VWP says ever ARRESTED or convicted of a criminal offence causing harm to another person.

Im struggling to come to terms with the fact he has to be interviewed AGAIN for this hideous accusation? Am I right? does he really have to go through the trauma and expense of this interview all the way down in London? (We live in the North)

If this all sounds a bit over dramatic, Im in shock and hes understandably upset :-(

The basic question is, have I understood this correctly? he has to be interviewed? despite it being over long ago and being found not guilty. And if anyone has any knowledge, is there ANY way he can be refused a visitor visa for this?? if so, on what grounds?

Thank you very much for your time.

[Bastad]

I am discussing my husbands situation. He is a law abiding British citizen, job, home owner, generally respectable. Wishing to visit the USA next April, for a brief holiday.

10 years ago he was accused of and arrested for a sexual offence. He was in no way guilty and (after the worst year of his life) went to court and found not guilty with a unanimous verdict.

This is unequivocal proof of innocence according to the British legal system.

But the question on the for for the VWP says ever ARRESTED or convicted of a criminal offence causing harm to another person.

Im struggling to come to terms with the fact he has to be interviewed AGAIN for this hideous accusation? Am I right? does he really have to go through the trauma and expense of this interview all the way down in London? (We live in the North)

If this all sounds a bit over dramatic, Im in shock and hes understandably upset :-(

The basic question is, have I understood this correctly? he has to be interviewed? despite it being over long ago and being found not guilty. And if anyone has any knowledge, is there ANY way he can be refused a visitor visa for this?? if so, on what grounds?

Thank you very much for your time.

http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/add_req.html

[d.hart]

So an arrest resulting in a NOT GUILTY verdict still counts? thats really not justified :-(

Does anyone have a number I can ring where I can have this 100% confirmed by an official and talking person? All I can get is endless recorded messages.

Don't want to make the trip to the Embassy unnecessarily!

Thanks again

[kabkaba]

All he needs to do is apply for the Visa. What's the big deal? Since he was acquitted it highly unlikely that it will cause a Visa denial. Citizens of most other countries go through this even if they have not even ever been arrested.

[d.hart]

All he needs to do is apply for the Visa. What's the big deal? Since he was acquitted it highly unlikely that it will cause a Visa denial. Citizens of most other countries go through this even if they have not even ever been arrested.

Big deal is the time and expense attached to the whole process, considering he is a law abiding British citizen who should be entitled to travel under VWP. Its not justice. Its discriminating against him and costing a couple of hundred pounds, through no fault of his own. It is, for want of a better word, unfair :-(

[kabkaba]

Well, then sue those who arrested him or had him arrested.

Remember Visa waiver is just that, a waiver. The US Government reserves the right to determine who they want to waive it for, no citizen of any other country has any 'right' to a Visa waiver. There is a uniform requirement of who is and is not given the waiver, so I don't see how it is unfair. It is not as if some other British citizens who have arrest history are given the waiver, because that may be unfair.

[d.hart]

For reference to anyone else reading this thread. Yes we did go through the process and yes he was awarded visa with no questions asked. Ridiculous red tape, badly worded questions, very expensive process... but good excuse for a jolly in London!