Lived Abroad, Can't Obtain Police Certificate

[gcfi 0]

Hey all,

From my understanding it seems you are required to provide certificates for all countries that you've lived in for over 12 months. Getting one for my home country is no problem but I lived in PRC for about 5 years, 3 years ago, and I don't know if it is possible for me to get a police certificate to cover that time period. Anything that can be done in this situation?

Cheers

[teeak 224]

this link will be helpful: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/CH.html

I think this part is most important: Certificates are available for those in the J-1, Z, and X categories. The GOC does not issue police records for temporary residents of China in L or F visa categories.

If you were in one of those eligible categories, I would contact the china embassy in your home country and take it from there. if they say you need to be physically present in china to obtain it then you can just go without it and the CO will also most likely know that it was unobtainable.

[gcfi 0]

this link will be helpful: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/CH.html

I think this part is most important: Certificates are available for those in the J-1, Z, and X categories. The GOC does not issue police records for temporary residents of China in L or F visa categories.

If you were in one of those eligible categories, I would contact the china embassy in your home country and take it from there. if they say you need to be physically present in china to obtain it then you can just go without it and the CO will also most likely know that it was unobtainable.

Thanks for the quick reply teeak. I was not in an eligible category, as I was on Fs, so it's impossible to get the certificate. Does this exclude me from my US visa application?

[teeak 224]

Ohh okay. No no, of course not! Since you were in the F's, the CO and NVC should know that it is not possible to obtain China police records for people in the L or F category and they should exempt you from requiring it.

For your peace of mind, you can bring a printout of the reciprocity page in case you are asked any questions about the police certificate and provide a copy of your F visa, if you have it.

[gcfi 0]

Ohh okay. No no, of course not! Since you were in the F's, the CO and NVC should know that it is not possible to obtain China police records for people in the L or F category and they should exempt you from requiring it.

For your peace of mind, you can bring a printout of the reciprocity page in case you are asked any questions about the police certificate and provide a copy of your F visa, if you have it.

Ah great, so I am not required to get any kind of waiver, I just explain the situation at the interview?

[teeak 224]

Yep, that should be it. I believe you're supposed to send police certificates to NVC as well. So perhaps just write up a short letter explaining you lived in China between these dates and had an F visa so as per the reciprocity table, the GOC does not issue police records for those in the F category etc. You can attach a copy of your F visa and the table as well.