Taiwan Police Clearance: Validity

[RDX 1]

Hi everyone,

 

I’m currently in the CR1 visa process, having submitted the I-130 application last year.

 

Looking ahead to the NVC stage - which I’m hoping will come around soon, assuming we receive approval, I had a question regarding police checks for countries I’ve previously lived in.

 

Between 2014 and 2019, I lived and worked in Taiwan and held an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) during that time. In May 2020, I obtained a Taiwanese police clearance certificate, which I needed for work purposes. The process was quite tedious and hence I am getting ahead of the game and thinking ahead this time.

 

Since the period I have lived in Taiwan, I’ve been issued a new passport, and the police clearance I have lists my old passport number. I haven’t lived in Taiwan since 2019, though I did make a brief 4-day visit in January 2020 for a holiday.

 

I noticed on the US embassy in UK website, that it says the following:

 

Quote

With the exception of the U.K. police certificate which is considered valid for 12 months from the date of issuance, a police certificate is valid indefinitely, provided you do not return to the country and reside for six months or more, if it’s your country of birth or current residence. The period is twelve months for any other country.

Source: Immigrant Visas FAQs - Visa Processing and Documents

 

My question is: Would I be able to use the police clearance I obtained in 2020, or would I need to apply for a new one? 

 

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

[Crazy Cat 43,804]

53 minutes ago, RDX said:

Would I be able to use the police clearance I obtained in 2020,

Yes.  Are you the beneficiary or the petitioner for the spousal visa?

Edited May 13 by Crazy Cat

[RDX 1]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

Yes.  Are you the beneficiary or the petitioner?

Excellent!

 

I am the beneficiary, my spouse (USC) is the petitioner

[Crazy Cat 43,804]

I think that the Police Certificate is still valid since you haven't lived there since obtaining it.  Someone will correct me if I am mistaken.

Edited May 13 by Crazy Cat

[pushbrk 13,457]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

I think that the Police Certificate is still valid since you haven't lived there since obtaining it.  Someone will correct me if I am mistaken.

The above is correct.

[RDX 1]

This sounds encouraging so far, I will report back when I do eventually submit it once I get through the I-130 stage (Fingers crossed!)

[pushbrk 13,457]

Just now, RDX said:

This sounds encouraging so far, I will report back when I do eventually submit it once I get through the I-130 stage (Fingers crossed!)

Just don't make the mistake of calling your short visits "periods of residency".  They need not be mentioned at all.

 

[RDX 1]

Just now, pushbrk said:

Just don't make the mistake of calling your short visits "periods of residency".  They need not be mentioned at all.

 

Of course! the one visit I had back to Taiwan since I stopped living there was just a short holiday to see friends. 

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll be careful around that.