Israeli police certificate advice, for non-Israelis.

[liz&andrew 0]

I thought to post some advice (and my story!) for non-Israelis who seek an Israeli police certificate as part of their VISA application. I had originally made this post in another thread, but it was buried within a seemingly-unrelated topic title.

My situation: I had lived in Israel as a student for approx. 14 months. I was applying for my CR-1 visa through the US Embassy in London... and was trying to get an Israeli police certificate from the Israeli embassy in London.

So... here's the full post:

----

Wow... yes, and update here would be very valuable for those about to venture down the Israeli police certificate route! What a story I have!!!

So -- my fears turned out to be well founded. The Israeli police certificate was never received by the US Embassy here in London, nor have I seen/heard anything from anyone as to its whereabouts.

Some explanation: When you visit the Israeli embassy (at least in London, UK)... they ask 'why' you need the certificate... and they'll only ever allow for the certificate to be sent directly to the 'requesting authority', never to yourself. I pushed them hard on this point -- telling them I was concerned the certificate would get lost and I'd have no copy for my records -- and that my VISA depended on this (etc etc). They still refused to alter the delivery address to anything other than the US embassy here in London. The Israelis suggested it would take 6-8 weeks to arrive back in London. The Israeli embassy in London would receive it first... and they'd forward the certificate directly to the US embassy in London (with, hopefully, my case number on the front). I called the US embassy in London and confirmed they have the systems (supposedly) to file away this certificate until they receive the full package from the NVC.

The Israeli form I filled out... at their embassy, suggests that only 'foreign consulates' or 'adoption agencies' could ever possibly be requesting this certificate... and it didn't leave room for HR departments, or anything else like that (but, I must admit -- I didn't verbally request that either, so I can't be 100% sure they wouldn't allow that -- but I doubt it). I had told them, of course, it was for a US visa... so they insisted they would only to send it to an official US authority/embassy. I gave them the address for the US embassy here in London -- knowing that my case would eventually arrive there... for usage in my as-yet-unscheduled interview. Within my IV packet cover letter... (which is the bit that requires the police certs) I explained that the Israeli certificate was being sent directly to the US embassy in London, and I include a photo of the receipt of payment I had made to the Israeli embassy. I figured that would be solid enough for the IV & AOS packet to be approved... and passed through for my interview scheduling in London (which it was).

*please ignore the address in that attachment -- I subsequently changed it to the US embassy address in London.

A further complication/addition (which is perhaps unique to me): I'm not an Israeli citizen... so I don't have a "Teudat Zehut", or Israeli ID number. I only studied in Israel on a student VISA. I figured this would further place the process at risk... because when the Israeli police dept receives the request... they don't have a any record of me (probably more because I wasn't being tracked by the Shin Bet, more than anything!). However... because I had a wonderful, dedicated friend in Israel... I had this friend visit the local Israeli police dept., and request a short-form version to complement my IV packet in case the full-length one did get lost. I gave my friend a 'letter of authority' with a passport photocopy & my signature. She harassed the local police in Tel Aviv & J'lem... (on three different visit) who eventually conceded to her request and provided her with a short-form, hebrew only, copy which was basically 'empty' -- with my name on it. They initially & strongly refused though, suggesting that short-form copies can only be given to those who have a Teudat Zehut.

So... my IV packet was sent with both a translated short-form... and evidence of me applying for the long-form through the official route.

I had my interview... and asked: "So... Mr US Consular Official, did you ever receive the long-form certificate from the Israeli's ???".

Answer? No. They didn't. Perhaps it never got sent... or the US embassy lost it... I don't know. But they approved my application anyway... based upon either: my short-from copy OR the fact that I showed ample evidence that I had tried to get one. Who knows!

Hope that helps everyone who tries I probably just scared off anyone who reads this.... but it's true: of my whole USA visa process, getting an Israeli police certificate was by far the worst & most challenging part of my VISA application. Be prepared... and get one before you leave Israel, if possible.

Andrew.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion; topic is not limited to the spousal visa process.