NSW Application for US Non-Immigrant Visa - Disclose Drink Driving Offence?

[Victoria_SanDiego]

I have started the application process for an L1 Non-Immigrant visa for the USA, and I have answered 'No' to the question of ever being arrested / convicted.

I was just wondering if I have to disclose a drink driving offence that occurred over 10 years ago (13 years to be exact) in a different state? I've read somewhere that the record expires after 10 years, is this correct?

 

[Sophea]

Hi there, whether this will appear on your criminal record will firstly depend on whether or not you went to court. If you don't go to court, it is not a conviction, but a traffic infringement. Also, yes after 10 years in most states, provided you have had a perfect record since, minor convictions become spent and no longer appear on your normal criminal record. However, there are certain purposes for which you must obtain a full record which shows your prior convictions.

In addition, it would not be correct to tick no, if you have been convicted of something before, whether or not it is a spent conviction. Check this out: Arrests and/or Convictions | Canberra, Australia - Embassy of the United States