I have been travelling to the U.K for 25 years at least 8-10 times a year, receiving 5 year visas, never breaking the stay period, with no problem. I've gone through immigration with no problem till my last time in London. I was stopped for eight hours and questioned about a run with the law while I was in college. This was in the US, I was around 20, it was for a credit card use. I received a conditional discharge / probation conviction which was discharged one year later. It was stupid, I was young and in college, more than 28 years ago.
After being questioned about the issue in the US, I was allowed in. They were very polite and professional.
I was also asked if I ever changed my name: I did not change it, but one letter was added in the middle of my first and last names around 20 years ago as our names are translated from Arabic to English and before the digital biometric passports, hand written passports some times varied. It was a common thing at the time.
Now I am applying for my new 5 year visas and I intend to answer truthfully about previous conviction (previously I answered no because my conviction was spent and I expunged my record.) I want to answer yes and explain it. Is that the right thing to do?
Should I answer yes to the question about having a different name even though it was something as simple as spelling Bryan instead of Brian or Teresa and Theresa -- not really changing it and never thought of it as a change.
I have an impeccable credit rating in the Uk and the last 28 years have never received a moving violation or ever had a run in with the law.
I made one mistake when I was very young but I am very worried about how to go ahead. I believe honesty is the best approach, is it?
I believe honesty is the best approach, is it?
Honesty is not always the best approach, particularly when it comes to visa application issues and the Brits/USA in particular. I say this from my own experience. However in this your particular case honesty indeed is the best policy. – user 56513 Aug 9 '17 at 8:00