A mistake you made in the '70s can still block your US business trip today

A minor offence committed as far back as the 1970s can still prevent business executives from travelling to the US. According to a report by the Financial Times, the US embassy in London is denying tourist and business visas to applicants with old police cautions or petty offences, even when they did not result in convictions.

The report said senior executives, including tech leaders and C-suite professionals, have been refused visas for historic issues such as cannabis use, bar fights or drink-driving cases. Some applicants had only been arrested and never convicted. Lawyers said several refusals came despite earlier signs that visas would be approved.

According to immigration lawyers cited by the Financial Times, the London embassy is using rule 214(b), which allows visa officers to reject applications if a person does not sufficiently prove eligibility. The rule does not require officials to explain the reason for rejection.


Lawyers said the shift began last summer after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a “catch-and-revoke” policy aimed at cancelling visas of foreigners who break US laws. They added that such refusals were rare before President Donald Trump began his second term in January last year.

London is the largest US visa centre in Europe. The embassy issued more than 150,000 non-immigrant visas in 2024, based on US State Department data. Travellers who are not eligible for the Esta system must apply for visas through embassies.

Citizens of countries such as India, South Africa and Brazil cannot use Esta and must apply for visas. Even citizens of eligible countries are barred from using Esta if they have certain criminal records, including arrests or cautions linked to drug use.

Anybody with a criminal irregularity — no matter how minor — is unlikely to obtain a visitor visa, and in some cases even a work visa, from London right now, lawyers warn.

One lawyer told the Financial Times they are now turning away clients with any criminal history. Another said earlier attempts to apply through other embassies no longer work as the policy has tightened.

The US Department of State said: “The Trump administration is upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through the visa process . . . [the US] will not tolerate foreign visitors violating our laws.”