H1B stamping for FTE with DUI arrest reduced to Reckless Driving

bhushan15

By bhushan15,
in H1B : Visa Stamp

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  • 3 weeks later...
mitsu3000gt Advanced Member

mitsu3000gt

Posted
Posted

Hey,

I had DUI in 2005. I was guilty and finished the court punishment. I have been to US consulate twice after the conviction (one for F1 renewal 2008 and other for first H1B 2009). I contacted my atty before going to Visa and he suggested me to check YES to have you been arrested for DUI. This is how the conversation went for my F1 renewal in 2008.

This was in Chennai, after normal greeting thing...

VO: what school are you going to?

me: ****

VO: is this the same schook you have been to ?

me: Yes

Meanwhile, he asked to scan my fingers. I guess its then it popped my arrest record.

VO: Tell me what happened, why were you arrested?

me: I had DUI in city**** during summer 2005. I was guilty and finished all the necessary work to be done according judgement.

VO: what was the work?

me: DUI classes, fine, community service, license suspension for 30 days etc

VO: How much did you pay the fine?

me: It was ****

VO: Unfortunately, I can not give you visa this time..But, it doesnt mean rejection. You have to follow these instructions listed in here.

me: But, I have to attend couple conferences in Japan and Korea next month and one in US. Can I get this process expedited. Here are the supporting letters for this.

VO: well, I will try my best to expedite the process. I understand you are very important to your research group.

me: Thanks..

me: btw, I have these court and police records in case you want.

vo: yes sure..He took the records and went through.

vo: OK, send me these documents in mail along with your passport.

me: thanks.

He gave me pink or orrange 220g form. Also, he gave me a document that asked me to go and see a physician (doctor). I called this doc and took an appointment for the same day. Doc told me to get some liver tests done and also a psychiatric test. These two tests are just to prove that you are not a chronic alcoholic. Doc also told me that, I will be lucky if I get my visa in 3 months. He saw people waiting 6 months for this. When I heard this, I was like ****. I cant wait this long. these conferences in Asia and US are most important to my career and school..However, I received my documents and passport stamped in less than a week..That was a big break through. I called the doc and said about my passport stamped in a week. He couldnt believe. I guess, in my case the urgency to travel made me to get passport earlier than expected. I got this passport on monday noon, and took the flight to Japan same day evening.

The second visa experience was funny. I went to US consulate in HYD for my first H1 visa.

after they scan my fingers...

vo: What are we doing here?

me: I am here for H1b visa stamping officer.

vo: smiles...again smiles...tell me the story..

me: I smiled again....are you referring to my arrest record?

vo: yes, why? do you have more than one story..

me: smiles...not really.

me: Ok, this was in ********************. I felt guilty...****** (same long story)

vo: so, was it a good party..

me: yes, it was. I hosted it.

vo: smiles..nice...do you have your arrest record with you.

me: yes, ...I handed over..and said, I was issued F1 visa after I got convicted.

vo: OK. let me see. ..after a min, let me check with my supervisor.

vo: he comes back in less than a min...and says, OK, you dont have any problem on this now.

vo: tell me about your employer?

me: I told..

vo: why do you have your company name like this? what does it mean

me: I explained.

vo: what do you do for them?

me: explained..

vo: Unfortunately, I can not give you visa at this time. Its not because of your DUI, but its because I have to check something avout your company.

me: OK

vo: he gives me 221g and askd me to send all the docs via mail.

I get my passport back with visa stamped in 10 days. Again, this was in HYD.

I usually travel alot across the world and I never had any problem at port of entry. However, last three times they stopped me at port of entry and sent me to secondary screening. They asked me about my arrest record and make sure that I dont have any trials going on. They also said that, they will stop me until I become good citizen..????????????? Grr..

It will be 7 years this month I have been arrested. Not sure everyone know this but you can get this off your record with some small court work. I am planning to do this next month. This makes your record to disappear at law enforcement and immigration. However, FBI can you pull this out if they need to.

Hope my experience helps you guys..

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