₦airaland Forum

I want to know if a speeding ticket is regarded as a criminal conviction with regards to DS160?

Hey Lagos NIV. This is my first time on this thread in over 2 years. Thanks for the good work you have been doing. I have a question to ask. I'm working in the USA on an H1B visa since 2017. Actually, I changed status from F1 to H1B. My passport still has my original student visa. I'm considering going to Canada for visa stamping. While filling out my DS160 form, there was a section which asked about any criminal convictions. Last year I had a speeding ticket to which I hired a lawyer and pleaded no contest. The Judge in a municipal court recommended paying the court fees, defensive driving and no point deductions. I duly complied with everything and I'm still on H1b status. I still have a clean driving record. If I return to the court next year after the probation period with a clean driving record, no point deductions would be made. My question is, does this situation amount to a "criminal conviction". What are the implications of having such a record on your H1B visa stamping? I did talk to my lawyer who told me it does not amount to a criminal conviction. But I want to make doubly sure in order not to make a mistake in my application thereby putting me in jeopardy. Thanks!