Tourist visa and criminal convictions (USA)

Blingleton · Newbie Joined: Oct 04, 2009 Posts: 2

Hello, I am new to the forum and have an interest in visiting Oz. To be very honest I am also interested in leaving the USA permanently. My reason being that America has become such an incredible police state. After doing several hours of research on Australia, it seems I may not qualify for a tourist visa based on my criminal convictions.

I am from South Carolina, in the southeastern part of the USA. Our laws here are woefully strict because of reasons I don't truly understand. In 2005, I was convicted of Manufacturing Marijuana, but in other parts of the USA this would have been looked over all together. Earlier this year,2009, I was convicted of 2nd degree Burglary when I simply trespassed on someone's property.

All explanations aside, it seems that these petty convictions will limit me until death, when I am truly someone with very simple mistakes, like many others out there. I am only an avid outdoors man who lives to surf in a peaceful existence.

Does anyone here know if these convictions would restrict me from traveling to Australia?

moc2006

You can’t get the online tourist visa or an ETA Visa.

But you CAN apply to the Australian Embassy in Washington DC for a tourist Visa.

Each application they will look at on a case by case basis and decide, depends on how sever the conviction is, how long ago, etc etc. But applying at the Embassy you have a change to give your side and they can make a decision.

www.usa.embassy.gov.au/

Good Luck

Blingleton · Newbie Joined: Oct 04, 2009 Posts: 2

Thank you, moc2006 for you help, I'll follow your advice!