Applying for L-2 visa with offences from 25 years ago

[Dan Willmott 0]

I am in the process of applying for an L-2 visa as a spouse of my wife who is applying for an L-1A visa due to relocating with her company which has blanket approval and an expedited process meaning that our visas would be approved the same day as the visa interview all being well. We also have four young children.

 

Unfortunately, I have three criminal records from 25 years ago (it was a bad year). These were petty shoplifting plus two non-CIMT offences (according to here) that resulted in sentences of £150 fine, £100 fine, 200 hours community service. Plus, a DUI from 19 years ago (also non-CIMT).

 

Since then, I have demonstrated rehabilitation through the following:

• Graduated from a top UK university with a bachelor's degree (2001).
• Had a consistently successful career as a software engineer and manager from graduating to present day working mostly for large corporates and investment banks in London and mainland Europe.
• Achieved Millennium Volunteers Award of Excellence and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Gold Award - both involved considerable community and volunteering work.
• Volunteered for a charity helping elderly people (have press release documentation).
• Achieved two professional memberships with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET) and the British Computer Society (MBCS).
• Achieved two professional charterships with the Engineering Council (CEng) and the British Computer Society (CITP).
• Continually invested in property with over $2m portfolio with a successful private rental business in the UK and mainland Europe.
• Worked overseas in Africa and mainland Europe (where I currently reside).
• Got married and created a family of four young children.
• Currently work for a company in mainland Europe that will likely relocate me to their US office once my work visa is later approved.

 

My wife's company has appointed us an immigration lawyer (standard procedure) who is based in the US. I have requested an ACRO Police Certificate for the visa interview which will likely be in October.

 

I am of course very worried that I will hit roadblocks, but I've read a lot online that gives me assurances that the time passed and the nature of the offences will not cause a serious issue, and at worst I can apply for a waiver which will likely get approved in my case (based on what I've read). But I'm thinking about this constantly and it's eating me up. Then I discovered this forum which I think will add more value than Google or ChatGPT. 😊

 

Could anyone provide a little insight into what I might expect given the above? I would appreciate any help in putting my mind at ease (or managing my expectations).

 

Thank you.

Edited Tuesday at 01:13 AM by NeoX
Changed details

[appleblossom 4,802]

It sounds like you will need a waiver, the downside of that is the time it takes for that to be processed. But the immigration lawyers should be on the case for you.

 

Good luck. 

[Boiler 47,798]

Visas have not been issued ame day for quite some time.

 

You can take your criminal records not sure if they will review them at the interview, may need to get back to you.

[smilingstone 723]

Remember to also request the Subject Access Report to accompany your ACRO. It is a seperate document. 

Edited Tuesday at 11:05 AM by smilingstone

[Dan Willmott 0]

7 hours ago, smilingstone said:

Remember to also request the Subject Access Report to accompany your ACRO. It is a seperate document. 

According to here (step 5.6), this is only required if the Police Certificate says "No live trace". I ordered the Police Certificate today on a 2-day fast-track service, and I did the SAR last week, which can take a month. Hopefully I won't need the latter, but I'll have it with me in case they ask for it.

[appleblossom 4,802]

3 hours ago, Dan Willmott said:

According to here (step 5.6), this is only required if the Police Certificate says "No live trace". I ordered the Police Certificate today on a 2-day fast-track service, and I did the SAR last week, which can take a month. Hopefully I won't need the latter, but I'll have it with me in case they ask for it.

 

I would only go with official info, not that website. There is some misinformation on there, and it's also aimed at B visa applicants.

 

But having the SAR is a good idea, so it's good that you've got that underway.