Chances of Getting a Visitor Visa

[hammersfan1]

Hi,

Just looking for advice for the following situation.

I was a student at the University of South Carolina for 4 and half years. For one of these years I did not attend school but then returned to school after. I know this broke the terms of my visa and I should have left. When I did leave in Dec 2006 for Christmas then went back in January 2007 I was refused entry. The following was written in my passport:

Cancelled
22CFR 41.122(h)3
212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I)
(On the F-1 visa itself)
and also on a seperate page:
212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) App. withdrawn

Now what does this mean for my chances of getting a tourist visa to the USA? I am well settled back in my home country (UK) have a long term girlfriend and I am a professional poker player. I would like to go to Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker.

One other thing to mention is that I have been arrested for theft in the UK but was cautioned and did not go to court or prison.

Any advice would be most welcomed. Thank you for your time and effort.

John

[Mr. Knowitall]

(a) Classes of Aliens Ineligible for Visas or Admission. - Except as otherwise provided in this Act, aliens who are inadmissible under the following paragraphs are ineligible to receive visas and ineligible to be admitted to the United States:

(7) Documentation requirements. -

(A) Immigrants. -

(i) In general. - Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, any immigrant at the time of application for admission -

(I) who is not in possession of a valid unexpired immigrant visa, reentry permit, border crossing identification card, or other valid entry document required by this Act, and a valid unexpired passport, or other suitable travel document, or document of identity and nationality if such document is required under the regulations issued by the Attorney General under section 211(a) ... is inadmissible.

An overstay of a year or more triggers a ten year period of ineligibility to return to the United States. An overstay of 90 days to one year triggers a three year period of ineligibility.

[hammersfan1]

Thanks for the reply. I was told that I didn't have any sort of a ban to the USA because of the D/S annotation that was written upon entry to the US in my passport. Also the immigration office told me that I didn't have a ban but I don't know whether to believe her or not. Any more elaboration from you (Mr. Knowitall) would be most welcomed. Thanks again.