Brit with a criminal record travelling to Australia. Which visa to apply for?
I am struggling to find a firm answer to my question. Here's my situation:
I am looking to travel to Australia in December for a few weeks to visit my brother, who moved there a few years ago. I am a British national, but 10 years ago (when I was 18) I made a mistake and landed myself a criminal conviction for a very minor cannabis possession charge, which resulted in a £600 fine. I haven't been in trouble since and it is a huge embarrassment.
Obviously this meets the ETA visa requirement of not having a conviction that resulted in a sentence of more than 12 months. But I don't want to accidentally fall foul of the rules and be seen to have misrepresented myself.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Best Answer
On the Australian Dept of Home Affairs - eVisitor subclass 651 page => eVisitor Applicants tab, => Who could get this visa, it states:
Criminal Convictions
If you have had one or more criminal convictions (in any country) for which the sentence or sentences (whether served or not) total 12 months or more you will not be permitted entry to Australia whilst holding an eVisitor. If you have had any criminal conviction in any country, a more appropriate visa for you to apply for may be a Visitor visa (subclass 600), rather than an eVisitor.
The Visitor Visa application form requires the applicant to disclose any convictions in any country (part F, Character details. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/forms/documents/1419.pdf
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Can I get a visa for Australia with a criminal record?
You must not have any criminal convictions, for which the sentence or sentences should not equal a total period of 12 months duration or more (whether served or not), at the time of travel to, and entry into, Australia.\u201dWill a criminal record prevent entry to Australia?
If your visa application is cancelled on the grounds of either a substantial criminal record, or past and present criminal conduct, you will be permanently excluded from entering Australia.Can I get a visa if I have a criminal record?
Under US Immigration law, if you have been arrested at any time, you are required to declare the arrest when applying for a visa. If the arrest resulted in a conviction, you may be permanently ineligible to receive a visa.Can I apply for a UK visa if I have a criminal record?
Applicants for entry clearance and those applying to remain in this country are checked for UK criminal convictions. Those seeking permission to enter the UK will normally be refused if they have previously been convicted of a criminal offence punishable by at least 12 months imprisonment.How criminal convictions can affect your Australian visa application?
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