Police certificates for DOS

[mgsctravels 1]

I know typically you need a police certificate from every country that you're a national or resident of for over 6 months; and over 12 months for past countries of residence.

I have lived in Canada my entire adult life. I left Hong Kong when I was a child. Would I still need a police certificate from Hong Kong, even if I left as a child? It's not very clear.

I was under the impression that they only care about countries in which I have lived since I was 16 and up.

Thanks in advance.

[powerpuff 4,973]

15 minutes ago, mgsctravels said:

I was under the impression that they only care about countries in which I have lived since I was 16 and up.

This is correct.

[Mike E 11,519]

12 minutes ago, mgsctravels said:

Would I still need a police certificate from Hong Kong, even if I left as a child?

DoS seems to be free to violate its own rules all the time. I’ve seen DoS demand police reports of people who left their country as children.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/HongKong.html

 

 

 

 

[Lil bear 3,498]

14 minutes ago, mgsctravels said:

I know typically you need a police certificate from every country that you're a national or resident of for over 6 months; and over 12 months for past countries of residence.

I have lived in Canada my entire adult life. I left Hong Kong when I was a child. Would I still need a police certificate from Hong Kong, even if I left as a child? It's not very clear.

I was under the impression that they only care about countries in which I have lived since I was 16 and up.

Thanks in advance.

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
 

NVC instructions are very clear and precise. From what you have told us .. unless you have an arrest etc history from when you were under 16, the only police check you need is from Canada. Always go to the direct official source.. being “ under the impression” is never a wise thing. 

[Chancy 5,842]

21 hours ago, mgsctravels said:

I left Hong Kong when I was a child. Would I still need a police certificate from Hong Kong, even if I left as a child? It's not very clear.

 

Are you a Hong Kong national?  Did you live in Hong Kong for at least 6 months and 1 day at any time of your life, even as a child?  If yes to both, then you need to present a police certificate from Hong Kong.

 

 

Note that the above requirement only applies to applicants who are 16 years old and above at the time of the visa interview.  Child applicants (below 16 years old) from Hong Kong do not need to present any police certificates at all, even if they lived in Hong Kong their entire life.  Also, if you have been a Canadian citizen your whole life and never a Hong Kong national, you do not need a Hong Kong police certificate even if you lived in Hong Kong until you were 15 years and 11 months old.

 

Edited Tuesday at 07:52 PM by Chancy
clarification

[mgsctravels 1]

31 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Are you a Hong Kong national?  Did you live in Hong Kong for at least 6 months and 1 day at any time of your life, even as a child?  If yes to both, then you need to present a police certificate from Hong Kong.

 

 

Note that the above requirement only applies to applicants who are 16 years old and above at the time of the visa interview.  Child applicants (below 16 years old) from Hong Kong do not need to present any police certificates at all, even if they lived in Hong Kong their entire life.  Also, if you have been a Canadian citizen your whole life and never a Hong Kong national, you do not need a Hong Kong police certificate even if you lived in Hong Kong until you were 15 years and 11 months old.

 

So if I was born there, would that make me a national by default?

[OldUser 2,774]

On 9/19/2023 at 1:22 PM, mgsctravels said:

So if I was born there, would that make me a national by default?

Depends on Hong Kong's laws