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Thread: Visa Application with Criminal Background

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[quote=GUEST32156,393066]Interesting reading.  I have been dating a girl from China (although she is now a Canadian citizen and will also need a Visa to return to China) and anticipate that I may end up travelling with her to China to visit her parents and sightsee.

My situation has an interesting twist.  I had a criminal conviction for minor drug (marijuana) possession in 1989.  I have since received a pardon so my record is essentially sealed.  However, the US INS is aware of my record and I have a waiver of inadmissability that allows me to travel there (what a hassle).  Each time I travel to the US I either have to obtain an I94 entry permit (typically good for 6 months) or show an exisiting one.  When I get one of these I also get a stamp in my passport which lists some details about the I192 waiver and what section of the immigration code it waives, I think specifically enough to identify the crime.

My first instinct would be just to lie and say no to the question on the Chinese visa application, but the stamps in my passport may complicate this.  I don't know how observant Chinese immigration officials are (at the consulate or the border), but they might notice these stamps which most people who have travelled to the US from Canada do not have in their passports and wonder what it's all about, and end up either denying my visa or denying me entry at customs.

I see 2 or 3 options:  1)  Say no, use my existing passport, and take my chances.  2)  Say no, obtain a new, fresh passport with no stamps and probably have no problem.  3)  Say yes, hope that my visa app is not denied, and not have to worry about what's in my passport.

Thoughts?  Comments[/quote]

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