So my boyfriend is an Australian citizen, and unfortunately 4 months ago he was charged with shoplifting an inexpensive shirt. He was a fairly mentally ill at the time and has since completed hospitalization. He is currently stable and his illness is well-managed. His court date is in June, and he was hoping to visit me in the US later this year. I am sure he is no longer eligible for a visa waiver, however my question is what is the best course of action from this point forward? Could this charge also possibly be counted as a petty offense exception? There are apparently aspects of Australian law that could render the charge excused, but I am not sure if the charges would be entirely erased.

