ESTA applicants must answer truthfully to Question 19 about arrests and convictions that qualify as crimes of moral turpitude or controlled-substance offenses, regardless of whether the case was dismissed, expunged, or sealed. Lie on it and you are stuck. Any false answer counts as misrepresentation under INA §212(a)(6)(C) and creates permanent inadmissibility. So anyone with a criminal history should review their records carefully and weigh the B1/B2 route with a §212(d)(3) waiver instead (cbp.gov, 30 May 2025).
What ESTA Question 19 Actually Asks
Question 19 of the ESTA application asks: “Have you ever been arrested or convicted for a crime that resulted in serious damage to property, or serious harm to another person or government authority?” In addition, a separate question asks about controlled-substance violations. As a result, the question covers a narrower scope than many applicants assume — minor traffic offenses and small civil infractions generally do not require disclosure (esta.cbp.dhs.gov, May 30 2025).
Crimes that almost always require disclosure include:
- Violent felonies (assault, battery, manslaughter, homicide)
- Moral-turpitude crimes — fraud, theft, forgery, perjury
- Controlled-substance violations (possession with intent, trafficking)
- Sexual offenses (assault, exploitation, child-related crimes)
- Domestic violence convictions classified as felony or aggravated misdemeanor
How Crimes of Moral Turpitude (CIMT) Affect ESTA
The Immigration and Nationality Act §212(a)(2)(A)(i)(I) bars admission for any noncitizen convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT). ESTA approval is denied automatically once an applicant discloses such a conviction. There is one narrow way out. A petty-crime safe harbor applies if the maximum possible sentence was 1 year or less and the actual sentence was 6 months or less (state.gov, 30 May 2025).
Common CIMT examples that trigger ESTA denial:
- Theft and shoplifting (with intent to deprive permanently)
- Fraud, embezzlement, money laundering
- Aggravated assault with bodily harm intent
- Perjury and false statements to authorities
- Most sexual offenses against persons
DUI and DWI Convictions: Generally Not CIMT
A simple DUI or DWI conviction without aggravating factors is generally not treated as a crime of moral turpitude under U.S. immigration statute. The Board of Immigration Appeals said as much in Matter of Lopez-Meza, ruling that simple DUI lacks the requisite “evil intent” element. So a single DUI without injury, a repeat offense, or refusal-to-test typically does not bar ESTA approval (BIA, 11 December 1999).
However, aggravated DUI scenarios may still trigger denial:
- DUI causing death or serious bodily injury (vehicular manslaughter)
- DUI on a suspended or revoked license (knowing violation)
- DUI with child passenger (state-specific aggravating factor)
- Multiple DUI convictions with pattern of recidivism
- DUI involving a controlled substance (drug DUI)
Drug-Related Offenses: Strict ESTA Bar
Any controlled-substance conviction, including simple marijuana possession, generally bars ESTA approval under INA §212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II). One exception exists: a single offense involving 30 grams or less of marijuana does not always disqualify, though it receives discretionary review. In practice, most drug-related applicants need a B1/B2 visitor visa paired with a waiver under §212(d)(3) (state.gov, May 30 2025).
Expunged, Sealed, and Dismissed Records
For immigration purposes, U.S. authorities generally do not recognize state-level expungement, sealing, or dismissal as eliminating a conviction under the INA. Disclose the conviction anyway — even records sealed or expunged under your home country’s laws. Omit a sealed conviction and CBP will likely treat it as misrepresentation once database checks surface the record (cbp.gov, May 30 2025).
Notable exceptions where dismissals may not need disclosure:
- Cases dismissed before any plea or finding of guilt (true acquittals)
- Pre-trial diversion completed without admission of guilt (specific state programs)
- Juvenile-court dispositions in jurisdictions where adjudications are not convictions
The Petty-Offense Exception Explained
INA §212(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II) creates a petty-offense exception: applicants with a single CIMT conviction may still be admissible if the maximum possible sentence was 1 year or less and the actual sentence imposed (or to be imposed) was 6 months or less. The catch is simple. Only one CIMT in a lifetime qualifies. As a result, many shoplifting convictions in countries with low maximum sentences fall within this safe harbor (cbp.gov, updated 2025-05-30).
How CBP Verifies Criminal Record Disclosures
CBP cross-references ESTA applications against the Interpol I-24/7 database, the FBI’s NCIC database, the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, and bilateral law-enforcement agreements with VWP partner countries. In addition, biometric fingerprint and facial-recognition checks at U.S. airports trigger secondary screening if records appear. Therefore, undisclosed convictions are routinely discovered at the border (DHS, May 30 2025).
What Happens If You Submit ESTA With Undisclosed Conviction
If CBP discovers an undisclosed conviction at the airport, several outcomes are possible:
| Discovery Point | Likely Outcome | Long-term Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| ESTA denial — pre-flight | Apply for B1/B2 visa | No permanent bar if voluntary correction |
| Secondary screening — at airport | Withdrawal of application or expedited removal | 5-year bar plus misrepresentation finding |
| Already in U.S. — discovered at exit | Voluntary departure or deportation | 10-year bar typical |
| Future visa application | Permanent inadmissibility under §212(a)(6)(C) | Requires nonimmigrant waiver |
The §212(d)(3) Nonimmigrant Waiver Pathway
Travelers with criminal-record-based ineligibility can file a §212(d)(3)(A) nonimmigrant waiver alongside their B1/B2 visitor visa application. The Department of Homeland Security grants it at its discretion, after consular review. The odds are not bad. Approval rates for first-time petty-offense waivers exceed 80% according to State Department FY2024 data (state.gov, updated May 2025).
The waiver application requires:
- Court records (certified copies of charging document, plea, judgment)
- Police records (arrest report, incident report)
- Personal statement explaining circumstances and rehabilitation
- Evidence of good moral character (employment, community involvement)
- Purpose of U.S. travel (business letter, tourism itinerary)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to disclose a 20-year-old shoplifting conviction?
Yes — there is no time limit on disclosure. That said, the petty-crime safe harbor may still apply if the maximum sentence was 1 year or less and you served 6 months or less.
What if my country expunged the conviction?
Federal immigration rules generally do not recognize foreign expungement. Disclose both the conviction and the expungement status. Consular officers review case-by-case.
Does a single DUI affect my ESTA?
Generally no — simple DUI is not a CIMT. However, aggravated DUI (causing injury, repeat offense, suspended license) may trigger denial. Disclose if asked.
What about a dismissed case where I attended court?
If the case was dismissed without a plea or finding of guilt, disclosure is generally not required. Nevertheless, if you participated in pre-trial diversion with admission of guilt, the underlying conduct may still bar admissibility.
Can I appeal an ESTA denial based on a conviction?
No — ESTA decisions are not appealable. Denied applicants instead pursue a B1/B2 visitor visa, often with a waiver under §212(d)(3).
How long does the §212(d)(3) waiver process take?
Typical processing time is 4 to 12 months from B1/B2 visa interview, depending on consulate workload and DHS review queue.
Are juvenile records disclosed on ESTA?
Generally no — juvenile-court adjudications are not “convictions” under INA. However, if you were tried as an adult, the conviction must be disclosed.
Country-Specific Disclosure Patterns by Nationality
Disclosure requirements vary by nationality because home-country criminal-record systems differ. UK applicants must disclose convictions even if “spent” under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, because U.S. immigration law does not recognize the spent-conviction principle. German applicants, in turn, must disclose Bewährungsstrafen (suspended sentences) and Geldstrafen (fines) tied to moral turpitude. Even minor European convictions can trigger ESTA review (cbp.gov, 30 May 2025).
French applicants face a particular challenge with the Casier Judiciaire — the French criminal record bulletin lists certain rehabilitation outcomes that U.S. consular officers nevertheless treat as convictions. Therefore, applicants should request both Bulletin B2 and Bulletin B3 records when preparing waiver applications. Indeed, complete documentation accelerates the §212(d)(3) review process. Notably, Australian, New Zealand, and Singaporean applicants should obtain national police certificates from their respective federal police agencies.
Records, Police Certificates, and Authentication
Police certificates from VWP partner countries must typically be apostilled or authenticated for U.S. consular acceptance under the 1961 Hague Convention. Certificates older than 6 months are generally rejected. Plan ahead. Obtain the police certificate within 90 days of the embassy interview so it does not expire, and get certified English translations for every non-English document (state.gov, May 30, 2025).
Common authentication chains include: (1) request a police certificate from the home authority; (2) translate it to English via a certified translator; (3) apostille or authenticate the original; (4) bring both originals and translations to the visa interview. All told, this process takes 4 to 8 weeks in most VWP countries. Some embassies also publish country-specific instruction pages with authentication shortcuts — read the local consular website carefully.
Useful Resources
- State Department — Ineligibilities and Waivers
- CBP — ESTA Information
- USCIS — Form I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter
- Official ESTA Portal
Internal Links
- ESTA Eligibility Requirements 2026
- ESTA Application Step-by-Step Guide
- ESTA Application Cost Guide 2026
Last updated: 2026-05-09
Additional ESTA preparation essentials
Before you board your flight, verify three practical items that travellers commonly overlook. First, check your passport’s machine-readability: the ESTA is electronically linked to your passport’s chip, so worn or damaged passports may fail at airline check-in despite valid approval. Second, prepare your US accommodation details: a confirmed hotel reservation or host address is required on the Form I-94 you’ll fill at the border, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers routinely ask about your first night. Third, ensure proof of onward travel: a return ticket or itinerary leaving the US within the 90-day Visa Waiver Program limit is mandatory; one-way tickets with ESTA are flagged for additional questioning.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an ESTA valid?
An ESTA approval is valid for two years from issue or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Within that period you can make unlimited entries to the US, each up to 90 days. If you replace your passport, change your name, or change citizenship, you must apply for a new ESTA — the old one becomes invalid the moment the linked passport changes. Always check the expiry shown in your CBP confirmation email before each trip.
What if my ESTA application is denied?
An ESTA denial does not mean you cannot travel to the US — it means you must apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa at a US embassy instead. Denial reasons commonly include prior overstays, criminal records, certain past visa refusals from any country, or recent travel to specific high-risk regions (Iran, Iraq, Syria, etc.). Embassy interviews typically take 2-6 weeks; book early. Never re-apply for ESTA after a denial without addressing the underlying issue — repeat denials make subsequent visa applications harder.
Where can I check the official ESTA status?
The official CBP ESTA portal is the only authoritative source — avoid third-party sites that charge inflated fees (some demand $80-100 versus the official $40 total: $10 processing + $30 authorisation). The portal lets you check status anytime using your application number, passport number, and date of birth. Save your application number in a secure location for future reference.
