Do I need a police cert?

[rambaldi 0]

Hey all,

I spent almost a year studying in Australia. And fact is, I was there for about 5 months, flew back home for term break, and then went back to Australia for about 5 more months before returning home for good. That means in total I've spent about 10 months in Australia, though not continously. Do I still need a police cert from Australia?

And if I do, can I obtain it before my packet 3 arrives? Thank you all!

[MaydayDas 1]

Hey all,

I spent almost a year studying in Australia. And fact is, I was there for about 5 months, flew back home for term break, and then went back to Australia for about 5 more months before returning home for good. That means in total I've spent about 10 months in Australia, though not continously. Do I still need a police cert from Australia?

And if I do, can I obtain it before my packet 3 arrives? Thank you all!

You better apply now for the police certificate........you better safe than sorry

[rambaldi 0]

Does other VJers here have similar experiences?

I dunno who else to ask, pls help!

[payxibka 10,044]

Be careful here as you are dealing with an issue that might vary from consulate to consulate. The best answer will come from your consulate. However, there was a VJ'er who applied via the consulate in Kiev. In Kiev, a police certificate is needed for time spent abroad of 1 year (some consulates are 6 mos.). His fiancee spent two different stints in Japan of 6 months and a few days each. Kiev aggregated the time to get over the 1 year threshold and required a police certificate from Japan.

[rambaldi 0]

Be careful here as you are dealing with an issue that might vary from consulate to consulate. The best answer will come from your consulate. However, there was a VJ'er who applied via the consulate in Kiev. In Kiev, a police certificate is needed for time spent abroad of 1 year (some consulates are 6 mos.). His fiancee spent two different stints in Japan of 6 months and a few days each. Kiev aggregated the time to get over the 1 year threshold and required a police certificate from Japan.

Hi fwaguy,

Thanks for your response. When you say ask my consulate, do you mean calling the US embassy in my country? Sorry if this seemed like a stupid question, but I'm new here. Also, do you think they'll entertain me if I haven't even received my Packet 3 yet?

The thing is that, I've checked on how to go about obtaining a police cert from Australia, and it seems like they don't need to see documentary proof from the immigration authority requiring the certificate. So I thought if I really needed a police cert from them, I can obtain it in advance, prior to receiving my packet 3, just to get a head start on the process. Since getting a police cert takes time.

Should I do that?

[payxibka 10,044]

Hi fwaguy,

Thanks for your response. When you say ask my consulate, do you mean calling the US embassy in my country? Sorry if this seemed like a stupid question, but I'm new here. Also, do you think they'll entertain me if I haven't even received my Packet 3 yet?

The thing is that, I've checked on how to go about obtaining a police cert from Australia, and it seems like they don't need to see documentary proof from the immigration authority requiring the certificate. So I thought if I really needed a police cert from them, I can obtain it in advance, prior to receiving my packet 3, just to get a head start on the process. Since getting a police cert takes time.

Should I do that?

The consulate is the section (or department) within the Embassy that issues visas. I suggest calling or e-mailing the consulate that you will use to issue the visa to you. The consulate should answer your question regardless of whether you have packet 3 or not. It takes time to get all the documents... getting started now is a good idea....

[rambaldi 0]

The consulate is the section (or department) within the Embassy that issues visas. I suggest calling or e-mailing the consulate that you will use to issue the visa to you. The consulate should answer your question regardless of whether you have packet 3 or not. It takes time to get all the documents... getting started now is a good idea....

And that's what I'll do! Thanks a million fwaguy!

I'll post here when I receive a reply from my consulate.

[rambaldi 0]

The consulate has responded!

Here's what they said:

Please read instructions again on police certificate: 3rd countries you lived in for more than 12 months after the age of 16, you are required to obtain clearance.

3rd countries?? Anybody has any idea of what that means?

Though, that's sounds like happy news to me! Coz I've only stayed in Australia for less than 12 months, so I don't need a cert from them right!

[payxibka 10,044]

The consulate has responded!

Here's what they said:

Please read instructions again on police certificate: 3rd countries you lived in for more than 12 months after the age of 16, you are required to obtain clearance.

3rd countries?? Anybody has any idea of what that means?

Though, that's sounds like happy news to me! Coz I've only stayed in Australia for less than 12 months, so I don't need a cert from them right!

Third countries essentially means countries other than your current "home" country...... So if aggregating together, if you are less than 12 mos. you are good to go.....

[rambaldi 0]

Third countries essentially means countries other than your current "home" country...... So if aggregating together, if you are less than 12 mos. you are good to go.....

fwaguy, you're like the guru! You seem to know everything!

THANK YOU!!