US Visa Advice Needed.

Hello, I am looking for a little advice on obtaining a green card to live and work in America. I am British and live in the UK. I would like to move to the US to to live and work, I am not really sure how long for but plan to spend a good few years there. I have done some research on visas, I think an EB-3B green card visa is going to be my best option. I work in IT/Computers and am classed as a professional worker. One of the problems I have is that I have spent 4 years studying for professional qualifications rather than going the university degree route. I don't have the 12 years of work experience required to apply for a EB-3A or a H1B visa. Although I have done just as much if not more studying than is required for a degree.

If I am issued a green card does this stay with me for life? Would this allow me to come and go from the US throughout the rest of my life? When I retire (long time off yet, I am 30) I want to spend a lot of time touring around the US.

Now the biggest question I need some help with is this. When I was 19 I was arrested and convicted of theft and arson of a motor vehicle. I was convicted and sentenced for my crimes. Now 10 years have passed so my convictions are 'spent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders act. US law does not recognise this section of British law, so although I can legally tell anyone in the UK I have no criminal record I need to admit all the details of my criminal convictions to the US authorities. Bearing in mind this is the only crime I have ever committed, the only time I have ever been arrested, the fact it was more than 10 years ago and that no one was hurt or injured at all, would this prevent me from gaining a visa?

I would very much like to go and live and work in the US, however I don't want to begin the process of applying for a green card without some advice as should my application be unsuccessful I could find myself unable to travel to the US for life (something I really want to avoid, if I can't live there I still want to go and enjoy holidays in the US).

I would appreciate some guidance on my questions, as my research has shown me immigration is decidedly complicated...

Wintel wrote:If I am issued a green card does this stay with me for life? Would this allow me to come and go from the US throughout the rest of my life? When I retire (long time off yet, I am 30) I want to spend a lot of time touring around the US.

See also Permanent residence (United States)

Wintel wrote:Now the biggest question I need some help with is this. When I was 19 I was arrested and convicted of theft and arson of a motor vehicle. I was convicted and sentenced for my crimes. Now 10 years have passed so my convictions are 'spent' under the Rehabilitation of Offenders act. US law does not recognise this section of British law, so although I can legally tell anyone in the UK I have no criminal record I need to admit all the details of my criminal convictions to the US authorities. Bearing in mind this is the only crime I have ever committed, the only time I have ever been arrested, the fact it was more than 10 years ago and that no one was hurt or injured at all, would this prevent me from gaining a visa?

See also Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas

Thanks for the links, I will have a read.