An immigration lawyer suggests that Prince Harry could confront a significant obstacle when renewing his visa in the United States, following allegations of providing false information on his visa application.
The Duke of Sussex, along with his wife Meghan Markle, shifted from England to California nearly four years ago, shortly after announcing their decision to step back as senior working royals and pursue financial independence.
The Heritage Foundation, a think tank group, has initiated legal action against Harry after he admitted to drug use in his memoir Spare.
This revelation has sparked doubts about the accuracy of information provided on his visa application, especially regarding past drug use. The case is currently being reviewed by Washington DC Judge Carl Nichols.
Speaking to Express, US attorney and UK solicitor Charlotte Slocombe discussed Harry's current situation, suggesting that he may encounter significant hurdles with his visa application moving forward.
"There may be an impact at renewal, if he previously did not hold a waiver and is now found to require a waiver of inadmissibility due to public disclosures, information, or changes of fact since his last application," she stated.
Slocombe noted her belief that Harry holds either an A-1 or O-1 visa, which, depending on the type, would influence admissibility issues. The former is typically issued to diplomats or government officials, while the latter is for individuals with "extraordinary abilities or achievements."
She further explained, "Such admissibility issues do not apply to the A-1 visa category but would apply to the O-1 and other categories, where he would be treated the same as any other applicant."
"If he was found to have an admissibility concern and was issued a waiver, then this will certainly impact a Green Card or US Citizenship filing," Slocombe continued. "The waiver process is far more rigorous for a Green Card filing than an O-1 visa, and for US citizenship itself, an applicant cannot demonstrate ‘good moral character’ if they have violated a controlled substance-related law."
