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> I am planning to visit a country that requires me to apply for a visa. Do I have to mention a spent conviction in the application?
I am planning to visit a country that requires me to apply for a visa. Do I have to mention a spent conviction in the application?
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act applies in the UK only. Other countries may have similar laws but you will have to check directly with them. If you are worried about your application you may want to ring the country’s embassy. You are under no obligation to give your name when making such an inquiry.
You should note that some countries (such as the US) require you to provide with a complete disclosure of all the information held about you in the Police National Computer. This is done by requiring you to request this information from the police yourself and then to pass on the disclosed information to the Embassy. Because you are asking for the information yourself, the police will disclose both spent and unspent convictions.
You should note that some countries (such as the US) require you to provide with a complete disclosure of all the information held about you in the Police National Computer. This is done by requiring you to request this information from the police yourself and then to pass on the disclosed information to the Embassy. Because you are asking for the information yourself, the police will disclose both spent and unspent convictions.


