Tourist visa for twice imprisoned male

[Cam54 84]

my sister's husband was in prison for around 6 months for GBH (violence) aged 16 and then again for around 8 months aged 19 for the same thing, hes now 27... is there any chance in hell he will get approved for a tourist visa as Im getting married and my sister doesn't really want to travel to my wedding without her husband.

[RhettVoe 282]

Not likely...sounds like he is ineligible for having committed (more than once, apparently) a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT), which means he would need a waiver, one that a CO is not likely to recommend....and one that is not likely to be approved. Would you want someone prone to violence to be admitted to the US? a CO or the USCIS will ask themselves....'what's the upside of allowing this individual into our country?'...can't think of one...but there would be many downsides....who would want to be partially blamed if this guy shows up, then gets into a fight or something while in the US? I would not want that to be on my hands.

[Cam54 84]

my sister now telling me she thinks is 4 months sentence both times but id imagine that doesn't matter does it

[christeen 966]

The sentence is immaterial... The conviction is the issue... I do not think he will be issues the visa... Even more so since it has been less than 10 years since the last conviction...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I don't think London will issue a visa. They are kinda strict on visas because most are eligible for VWP.

My unsolicited advice is just get on with getting married with or without your sister. Don't let it cause friction between you. If she will come alone, great. If she won't, then don't be hurt or pressure her. It's just one of the problems with marrying somebody from another country. You can't have the exact dream wedding you would if you were marrying a Brit. Just get on with it as a legal step toward immigration without wrapping as much emotion into it as you would a wedding in your hometown surrounded by all your mates and kin. So many on here think masses of mates are going to fly over. Then the ££££ $$$$$ reality factor hits and things change. Don't let anything like that crush your spirit. Enjoy your day without animosity or sorrow towards those who just can't be there.

[Cam54 84]

thanks everyone,

luckily I have nice sensible non criminal friends so the majority of my friends are coming my family may be the issue though, don't know how to phrase this without sounding very old fashioned but my family are all very working class and my friends all very middle class, so my middle class friends can afford to come and don't have any problems VWP-wise whereas ALOT of my family cant afford it and/or have criminal records. As long as my friends and my mum n brother are there I wont be too upset tbh. only awkward thing is my sister n niece are 2 of my 4 bridesmaids so I lose half my bridesmaids if they don't go..

while im here how soon before trip can you do VWP? and do u have to have a set travel date In mind? I was gona put link to VWP site in my wedding invites

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think ESTA is good for 2 years, so you could do it in advance.

Make sure you link the right site, there are a lot of fakes out there

[annjadora 2]

He can try, some people will always only give negative advice

Esta is available

[Boiler 45,657]

According to your timeline you are here and getting married soon so the question is irrelevant.

[Cam54 84]

According to your timeline you are here and getting married soon so the question is irrelevant.

thanks for another pointless and negative response boiler, always look forward to them.

If you must know we married at courthouse last month but are having larger ceremony in August for friends and family to attend

[Ryan H 3,812]

***One post removed and one member thread banned; post constructively or do not post.***

[Cam54 84]

just for my sister's reference how long should her husband leave it in the future to apply for a tourist visa? is there a certain time period where after it is more likely to gain a visa? say 10 years? I imagine they would like to vacation here in the future

[RhettVoe 282]

Hard to predict...certain CIMTs are more onerous than others....the tendency towards violence will give a CO pause, not wanting to read the headlines of a local newspaper should said relative punch somebody out while in the US....