How long Police Certificate is valid for IR1-CR1 Spouse visa in India?

[sunshine_84 11]

I checked this site and it shows various visa types and their validity period but it does not say how long Police Clearance Certificate is considered to be valid by USA Embassy in India.

Will Police Office in India issue two original Police Clearance Certificates? Each can be used for 1. Sending original PCC in Immigration Visa (IV) packet to NVC office and 2. Take original PCC for immigration visa interview in USA Embassy in India.

Do we also need to get Passport Certificate from Passport office for Immigration Visa Interview in USA Embassy in India?

Link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9215

Edited May 6, 2012 by smart84

[Divs 35]

What you need is a police clearance certificate from your regional passport office. Nvc does not accept pcc from local police. It has to come from the regional passport office. Along with the pcc, they'll also stamp your passport. They do give you two originals of it.

[sunshine_84 11]

What you need is a police clearance certificate from your regional passport office. Nvc does not accept pcc from local police. It has to come from the regional passport office. Along with the pcc, they'll also stamp your passport. They do give you two originals of it.

Thanks for the info. Which immigration documents regional passport office require to issue police clearance certificate? Will photocopy of NOA2 work as an evidence to prove a reason to obtain Police Clearance Certificate? Did you have to get Passport Clearance Certificate as well?

[sunshine_84 11]

What you need is a police clearance certificate from your regional passport office. Nvc does not accept pcc from local police. It has to come from the regional passport office. Along with the pcc, they'll also stamp your passport. They do give you two originals of it.

BTW I forgot to ask that I see Regional Passport Office and Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in Ahmedabad (my wife lives in this city). Which place should have authority to issue Police Clearance Certificate? I see both offices say they provide PCC service, but not sure if that's the latest information on their website. Since I live in USA and trying to help my wife with right information to get PCC document.

I am still waiting to get NOA-2 on I-130 application, and I believe you are beneficiary for I-130 application. Did you get your PCC document before you got NOA-2? Or at which phase of your application did you get your PCC?

[Divs 35]

Apply via PSK. That said, I've heard that in Ahmedabad and Gujarat in general, they do ask for an interview letter to issue a PCC. Pl do look it up. You can call up PSK's helpline and confirm.

I'd already obtained my PCC by the time I got my NOA2.

[Divs 35]

You dont need a separate passport clearance. When you apply via PSK, they also stamp your passport.

I'm from Kerala, and that's where I obtained my PCC from. I wasn't asked for any sort of documentation for the PCC, but I've heard that some states do ask. Ask your wife to apply online and also call up the helpline to confirm the required documentation.

[sunshine_84 11]

Apply via PSK. That said, I've heard that in Ahmedabad and Gujarat in general, they do ask for an interview letter to issue a PCC. Pl do look it up. You can call up PSK's helpline and confirm.

I'd already obtained my PCC by the time I got my NOA2.

Thanks again Divs! NVC does require PCC in IV packet which I need to send immediately after sending AOS package. In my understanding, at this phase there is no interview letter issued by Consulate until they have completed IV packet review process. All I can provide my wife right now is NOA1 photocopy until NOA2 is issued to apply for PCC today. Otherwise I need to wait for NOA2 and then have her apply for PCC at local PSK. But I don't see any possibility to get Interview letter while NVC is processing our file.

You dont need a separate passport clearance. When you apply via PSK, they also stamp your passport.

I'm from Kerala, and that's where I obtained my PCC from. I wasn't asked for any sort of documentation for the PCC, but I've heard that some states do ask. Ask your wife to apply online and also call up the helpline to confirm the required documentation.

On your PCC, what is the validity period mentioned? Does your passport also have a valid period mentioned?

[Divs 35]

There's no validity period mentioned on either, but the mumbai US consulate's website states that the pcc is valid for a year.

[rkk1 34]

I had previously read (on this site itself, I believe) that the PCC in India is only valid for 6 months. So I don't know what is correct.

[sunshine_84 11]

There's no validity period mentioned on either, but the mumbai US consulate's website states that the pcc is valid for a year.

Can you share the link to US Consulate office in Mumbai which says PCC is valid for one year?

I had previously read (on this site itself, I believe) that the PCC in India is only valid for 6 months. So I don't know what is correct.

That's also what I thought. But it would be really nice if it's actually valid for one year.

[sunshine_84 11]

I just found Packet 4 posted at USA Consulate in Mumbai website and it says Police Clearance Certificate is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/mumbai/395145/pereirals/Packet4-Infosheet-IV.pdf

Page # 3 (Police Report)

Option # A : Indian citizens residing in India: Indian citizens residing in India for six months or more since turning 16 years of age must present Indian police clearance certificates from the local area passport office. This certificate is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Edited May 8, 2012 by smart84

[rkk1 34]

I just found Packet 4 posted at USA Consulate in Mumbai website and it says Police Clearance Certificate is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/mumbai/395145/pereirals/Packet4-Infosheet-IV.pdf

That's great to know! I hope the one year duration is at all India consulate offices, not just Mumbai. I assume it would be the same at all offices, though, as it doesn't make sense for them to have different requirements.