Quote:
Originally Posted by n_quigity  I'm wondering about how strict China is when it comes to applying for a visa with a criminal history. The conviction was only a misdemeanor but it involved a forged document. Any advice or experiences would be much appreciated. |
You will be asked about your criminal record on the China visa application:
Section 3
3.1 If you have been refused for a Chinese visa in or out of China, please select YES. Otherwise, please select No.
3.2 If you have been refused to enter into or been deported from China, please select YES, please select No.
3.3 If you have any criminal record in any country including China, please select YES. Otherwise, please select No.
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Recent real life experience:
I checked the box saying that I have a criminal record. I also wrote a "detailed description" as requested. For the de_script_ion I played down the crime and focused on my remorse for the situation and how it's been over a decade since the crime. When I say I "played down" the crime, I mean I said "I stole money from a store" instead of giving details or specifying the offense.
To get the visa I applied in person rather than by mail. The interviewer read the description in front of me and my wife, then asked her co-worker something in Chinese while looking at my paperwork, then told me to pick up my visa in a few days: as easy as that! I've already picked it up and I'm ready to go.
In the UK you can get a copy of your criminal record by submitting a "Subject Access" request form to your local police precinct.
http://www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=417
Under Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 'Right of Subject Access' an individual is entitled to make a Subject Access request to an organization for information which may be held about them.
If you wish to obtain up-to-date details of any criminal records in the UK, you will need to make a subject access request directly to the police force in the area where you currently or last resided in the UK.
In the USA, the fastest way to see your criminal record is to visit the website of the State and county where you live. Typically they publish criminal records, although some websites charge a small fee. Private companies can run national criminal background search and give you the results on the internet. However for visa purposes, you need to ask the embassy of the country you plan to visit, what is acceptable. Usually you will need to get a criminal background check from the State in which you live.