score:6
Turns out what I did was the correct way to go about it but only because I didn't realize that my conviction 15+ years ago was expunged. I got this information from calling the Consultant.
If I would have said yes it would have automatically denied that visa.
Hope this helps someone in the future.
Edit:
Adding this edit from Sydney! Getting through customs was super smooth. If I would have entered yes to having a conviction I wouldn’t have been able to come on this trip so pretty happy with how it turned out.
Upvote:4
Do NOT try to circumvent visa requirements by lying on your application. And that includes lying about not having a criminal conviction on your ETA application.
You may get away with it but it's a crime and at the very least can lead to you being turned back at the border, more likely it'll lead to you not just being turned back but being banned from entry for several years.
As you should be, obviously. A regular visa application would (if you're truthful that indeed it was a non-violent crime and just some probation a long time ago, but why should we trust you now that you've already admitted to lying on your ETA application?) in your case probably have been approved, but you closed that avenue.