A. Convictions for some types of crime create a permanent ineligibility to enter the U.S., while others do not. In addition, some types of arrest can complicate the question of travel to the U.S. without a visa. Follow this link to criminal convictions webpage on this site. Please also visit the Department of State's website for more information about Classes of Persons Ineligible to receive Visas and Waiver of Ineligibility information. Also follow link to Visa Ineligibilities/possible Waivers.

Under United States visa law, people who have been arrested at anytime are required to declare the arrest when applying for a visa or when applying to enter the United States. If the arrest resulted in a conviction, the individual may be permanently ineligible to receive a visa. In order to travel, the applicant should apply for a visa and a waiver of the permanent ineligibility is required.

Applicants applying for visas at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin are required to furnish a court record from the court(s) in which you were tried. Such court records must show the nature of the offense(s) committed, the section(s) of law contravened and the actual penalty imposed. If the arrest did not result in a conviction, you may submit with your application the documents relating to the arrest. Applicants applying for visas at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin are also required to furnish a Police Certificate from your local Garda Station. Information on obtaining the police certificate is available from the Garda Siochana website at http://www.garda.ie/faq.html#C2.

If you were arrested and/or convicted of an offense in the United States, you are required to obtain a court record from the court(s) in which you were tried. Such court records must show the nature of the offense(s) committed, the section(s) of law contravened and the actual penalty imposed. If the arrest did not result in a conviction, you may submit with your application the documents relating to the arrest. If you do not know the address of the court, the information is available from the internet at http://www.uscourts.gov/. Applicants are also required to furnish a Police Certificate from their local Garda Station issued within 6 months of the visa interview.