NVC Police Clearance but lived in another country less than 8 months

[JamesBz 7]

My wife and I are on the civil documents part of the NVC process. My wife is from and lives in the Philippines. At one point my wife lived and worked in Hong Kong for a little less than 8 months. She has never been arrested in her life. It was to my understanding that if she lived in any other country for at least a year she would have to provide a police clearance from that country. However on the civil documents section they are asking for a police clearance from HK. Is it ok to leave this section blank and explain that she has never been arrested or committed a crime in HK and she lived there less than 12 months? Anyone with experience on this subject out there?

Edited May 12, 2023 by JamesBz

[igoyougoduke 1,622]

it says 6 months or more residence needs police certificate

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-prepare-supporting-documents.html

[JamesBz 7]

9 minutes ago, igoyougoduke said:

it says 6 months or more residence needs police certificate

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/diversity-visa-program-entry/diversity-visa-if-you-are-selected/diversity-visa-prepare-supporting-documents.html

Well her country of current residence is Philippines and not HK. And she didn't stay in Hk for a year…unless i’m reading this wrong

[igoyougoduke 1,622]

10 minutes ago, JamesBz said:

Well her country of current residence is Philippines and not HK. And she didn't stay in Hk for a year…unless i’m reading this wrong

if she lived in HK for 8 months that is her country of residence for 8 months. what's the doubt there 

[JamesBz 7]

1 minute ago, igoyougoduke said:

if she lived in HK for 8 months that is her country of residence for 8 months. what's the doubt there 

It says the country of CURRENT residence (if different from nationality). Her country of CURRENT residence is Philippines and not Hong Kong.

[Chancy 6,233]

*** Moved from IR1/CR1 Progress Reports to IR1/CR1 Process & Procedures ***

 

7 hours ago, JamesBz said:

Is it ok to leave this section blank and explain that she has never been arrested or committed a crime in HK and she lived there less than 12 months? Anyone with experience on this subject out there?

 

Technically, she would only need a police certificate from a previous country of residence if she lived there for 1 year or more.  But the interviewing officer has discretion to ask for a PC even for shorter stays.  At my IR1 interview in Manila, the CO specifically asked if I lived and worked abroad for at least 6 months at a time.  I suspect he was going to ask me for a police certificate if I did.

 

I suggest your wife get a PC from HK before her visa interview, just in case.  For NVC, just upload a PDF letter simply stating that the duration of residence was less than 12 months, so a PC is not required, according to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-5-collect-financial-evidence-and-other-supporting-documents/step-7-collect-civil-documents.html

 

[yibkeith 25]

On 5/12/2023 at 10:23 AM, JamesBz said:

It says the country of CURRENT residence (if different from nationality). Her country of CURRENT residence is Philippines and not Hong Kong.

Hey James, I’m in the same boat with 8 months in HK. What did you end up doing? Thanks

[JamesBz 7]

We ended up getting the HK Police. Certificate and just got dq today

[yibkeith 25]

7 minutes ago, JamesBz said:

We ended up getting the HK Police. Certificate and just got dq today

Congrats