Bong Voyage, our perpetual immigrant visa applicant, is at the U.S. Embassy for his visa interview.
Consul Jimmy Murdochs: Good morning, Mr. Voyage. I see you are applying today for an E3 employment visa. Have you ever lived or worked outside of the Philippines before?
Bong Voyage: Yes, I was a nurse in Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.
Consul Jimmy Murdochs: Great experience! How long did you reside in each place?
Bong Voyage: Hhmmm, well I was in Singapore for almost two years, Saudi for three years, and the U.K. for just six months.
Consul Jimmy Murdochs: Were you able to obtain police clearances from Singapore and Saudi Arabia?
Bong Voyage: No Sir, I was not aware these documents were required for my visa. Do I need them from Singapore and Saudi? What about the U.K? I worked there too.
Consul Jimmy Murdochs: A police clearance is required for any immigrant visa applicant who has resided in a foreign country for a period exceeding one year. With that in mind, your six month residence in the U.K. does not necessitate a police clearance. In addition, police clearances are not available to those residing outside Saudi Arabia. The Singapore police clearance, however, is available to non-residents, so we request that you go ahead and obtain one.
As you can see, the rules regarding obtaining police clearances from former countries of residence can be a bit confusing! When you go home, you may wish to consult our website for specific instructions on how to obtain certain foreign country clearances. Just click here and look under “police” for your former country of residence.
Bong Voyage: Ok, so I guess for me, I just need the Singapore police clearance then? Does that mean I will not be issued my E3 visa today?
Consul Jimmy Murdochs: That’s correct, Mr. Voyage. Your case will be temporarily refused until you submit the necessary police clearance from Singapore. Once we receive this document, we will review it for any criminal history that may render you inadmissible to the United States. If your police record indicates no criminal convictions, then we will move forward with processing your visa.
Bong Voyage: Ah, I see. Thanks so much! I guess I’m one step closer to getting my immigrant visa!
Note: Philippine police (NBI) or foreign police clearances should be in the applicant’s current name, birth certificate name, maiden name, and any aliases or nicknames used, including different spellings used of those names.
To read more about NBI clearances, see our blog posts “NBI Written Explanations” and “NBI Clearances and Other Names Used.”
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This might be out of the topic. Im applying for an Australian immigrant VISA. I stayed in US from 2003-2005. Im currently here in Manila.. KIndly advise on how can I get US police clearance certificate.
thanks
Jhun, as the Consular Section at U.S. Embassy Manila, we unfortunately cannot give you advice about getting a U.S. police certificate. You may want to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation for more information (http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks).
I had applied for my police clearance in Singapore and had told that the police clearance will be send directly to the US Embassy Manila. My worry is that, will my police clearance get there before my interview date. I was informed that my police clearance will be send on 26 of June 2012, my interview date is on July 3 2012. What will happen if my police clearance didn’t get there (US Embassy Manila) on time?
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
We will place the Certificate of Clearance (COC) from Singaporean authorities in your case file once we receive it. Should you undergo the visa interview prior to our receiving the police clearance, your application will be placed on hold until we receive this required document.
Hi Rovey,
I checked Singapore police website and it says they no longer issue police clearance for non citizens since 2010. May I know what are the things you did in order to obtain one? Thanks
For all applicants requiring a police clearance from Singapore, a form letter from the requesting/processing office (NVC, KCC, US Embassy, employer etc.) is required to obtain a Singaporean Certificate of Clearance (COC). Such letter should specify the need for the clearance and state explicitly that “a statutory declaration of no criminal conviction by the applicant is not acceptable as evidence that he/she does not have criminal convictions”. The COC will be sent directly to the requesting/processing office (e.g. US Embassy Manila).
sir where do i get this form? I have pocket 3 which only have the checklist saying “other country police certificate” would a copy of checklist and cover letter be enough?
in my case my wife had worked in HongKong for five years. thanks in advance
For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance from Hong Kong, you may visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=8994
I formerly worked in Saudi Arabia for 2 yrs consequently and in United Arab emirates for 2 yrs. do i need a police clearance for my Immigrant visa?
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
Immigrant visa applicants are required to present a police certificate from any place or places of residence for more than one year since attaining the age of 16.
However, according to country-specific information on police records found at the State Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9727#docs and http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9666, police certificates are considered to be unavailable to applicants who no longer reside in Saudi Arabia and UAE hence applicants are not expected to produce them.
” Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog. Immigrant visa applicants are required to present a police certificate from any place or places of residence for more than one year since attaining the age of 16. However, according to country-specific information on police records found at the State Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9727#docs and http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9666, police certificates are considered to be unavailable to applicants who no longer reside in Saudi Arabia and UAE hence applicants are not expected to produce them. ”
good day,
sir is this answer still work these days? because i worked in KSA last year… ty
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
Yes. Police certificates are still considered to be unavailable to applicants who no longer reside in Saudi Arabia and UAE.
My husband and I are currently processing my CR1 visa application.
I legally worked in China for several years (China Resident permit holder) and I have been back in Manila for 6 months now. Prior to leaving China I was not aware that I had to obtain a China Police. I do not have any contacts in my old company anymore. I am also unable to go back to China as my visa has already expired. I would like to ask if there is any other way that I can obtain this police clearance? Or if there is another document that I can submit instead of the police clearance?
Immigrant visa applicants are required to present a police certificate from any place or places of residence for more than one year since attaining the age of 16. As with NBI clearances, foreign police certificates should be obtained in any maiden names, names indicated on civil documents, married names, aliases or nicknames ever used while in the country in question, including different spellings of all names ever used.
For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance from China, you or the applicant may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9015 . Please note that China does not issue police clearances to applicants who resided in China on the F or L visa categories. You may check with the Chinese embassy or consulates in the Philippines to inquire about obtaining a police clearance while outside China.
We hope this information will be helpful to you.
Hello,
I have a similar situation now and also I have 2 kids, the youngest one is only 4 months old.
I contacted to my previous company in China and the PSB in Hainan island, Sanya city and they both said that I need to present in person to obtain the police certificate.
I confused now as the information on internet says that I can obtain the certificate without going to China, Hainan.
My husband didn’t see the kids for several months now due to his work and I remaining in Kyrgyzstan as can not get the visa without the police certificate from China.
Please advise what can I do to get the certificate without going to China or maybe I can provide any other document instead?
Thank you.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
An immigrant visa applicant who has lived in abroad for more than one year since attaining the age of 16 should present a police clearance from his/her foreign country of residence.
For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance for certain foreign country clearances, you may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html. If a police clearance cannot be obtained by those not physically present in the former work country, the police clearance will not be requested during the consular officer’s interview.
hello sir but i went there today and said i have to go to china for police clearance…please help me about the website i dot quite understand
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
An immigrant visa applicant who has lived in abroad for more than one year since attaining the age of 16 should present a police clearance from his/her foreign country of residence.
For specific information on how to obtain a police clearance from China, you may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9015
My fiance was on a artiste visa in Bahrain upon arrival to Bahrain The Hotel where she perform took her passport and it was return back to her after they went back to Manila. The question is her passport has 4 immigration stamp from bahrain for every 90 days, the hotel provided her a place to sleep, transportation from and to work and meals now for her to get a Good conduct certificate from bahrain she needs prove like a residence permit since she stay longer than 6 months but how can she get that if the hotel provided everything? I call the hotel and send e-mail but noting there not helping. What can we do?
For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance from Bahrain, you may visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=8960
so this foreign police clearance applies only to those country outside of the Philippines? K1 visa here in the Philippines need not required to get a local police clearance? Thank you
Applicants aged 16 years and older must have a valid Record Clearance for Travel Abroad Purposes from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The NBI police clearance is sufficient if the applicant has not resided abroad.
A K nonimmigrant visa applicant is required to present a police certificate, if available, from any place or places of residence for at least six months since attaining the age of 16. For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance for certain foreign country clearances, you may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html.
hi there, i already have a appointment for my interview next week,but i am really worried bout this police certificate from other country, honestly i did not know that it is 1 of the requirement. ( i used to study abroad for 2 yrs nov.08-nov.2010.
is there a possibility that the assign consul to me did not look for a police clearance from other country? thank u so much
A K nonimmigrant visa applicant is required to present a police certificate, if available, from any place or places of residence for at least six months since attaining the age of 16. While an immigrant visa applicant who has lived in abroad for more than one year since attaining the age of 16 should present a police clearance from his/her foreign country of residence.
For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance for certain foreign country clearances, you may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html.
i already submitted original copies of the required docs to uscis, do i still need to get another batch of birth certs, nbi clearance, police clearance on the day of the interview?
thanks in advance.
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
Immigrant visa applicants are required to submit updated documentation to the embassy’s immigrant visa unit. A list of documentary requirements in prepapration for the visa interview is available from our website at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3023.html
Hi we are applying for my fiance visa and i need to get clearance frim bahra .but the thing is i didn’t finished my contract for some reason I Asked for a vacation and decided not to go back there again and didn’t finished my contract but i have no criminal record there will it affect my clearance
A K nonimmigrant visa applicant is required to present a police certificate, if available, from any place or places of residence for at least six months since attaining the age of 16. While an immigrant visa applicant who has lived in abroad for more than one year since attaining the age of 16 should present a police clearance from his/her foreign country of residence.
For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance for certain foreign country clearances, you may visit our website athttp://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html.
hi sir i would like to ask if where i can get PC here in philippines ive been in korea last 2008 i work there 9months do i still really need to get korean police clearance im in CR-1 plss reply thanks n advance
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
Immigrant visa applicants are required to present a police certificate, if available, from any place or places of residence for at least one (1) year since attaining the age of 16.
According to country-specific information on police records found at the State Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9223, police certificates are considered to be unavailable to applicants who no longer reside in Korea and hence applicants are not expected to produce them.
so that means i dont need to obtain korean police clearance anymore sir?
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager
Since Korean Police Clearance is unvailable for visa applicants who are not physically present in Korea, you are not required to submit a Korean Police Clearance.
thank u so much sir..!my interview is in first week of nov.im kinda nervious might the consule ask me a korean police clearance.hope not anywy thank u so much fr u time sir its really help alot..god bless u!:)
hi!good day to u sir!i’ve been to Japan for 4months, should i obtain a Police clearance there?thank you
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
A K nonimmigrant visa applicant is required to present a police certificate, if available, from any place or places of residence for at least six months since attaining the age of 16. While an immigrant visa applicant who has lived in abroad for more than one year since attaining the age of 16 should present a police clearance from his/her foreign country of residence.
For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance for certain foreign country clearances, you may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html. If a police clearance cannot be obtain by those not physically present in the former work country, the police clearance will not be requested during the consular officer’s interview.
Its really terrible, when I was preparing for an interview, I didnt know what todo with this police clearance! Dont WORRy di naman kailangan anglocal police clearance, gumastos pa ako at kumuha ng sanglatutak na police clearance kasi kailangan ang “aka” na ito kasi ayaw nilang magbigay ng with “aka” jan sa citihall when I applied for police clearance. When I went to interview di naman hinanap. Yung impt sa kanila NBI.
An immigrant or fiancé(e) (K1) nonimmigrant visa applicant is required to present a police certificate from any place or places of residence. In the Philippines, this generally refers to the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance.
The adjudicating consular officer will determine during the visa interview or as the case is processed if additional documentation, such as a local police certificate, would be required to process the case to completion.
Hi! I am a Filipino but I worked in Hong Kong for almost 6 years and i moved here to Singapore just 4 months ago, i just want to ask how can i get Police clearance in Hong Kong from Singapore? My bf was applying a fiancee visa and i think they will asked a Police clearance from Hong Kong and Philippines. Thanks so much..
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
A K nonimmigrant visa applicant is required to present a police certificate from any place of residence for at least six months since attaining the age of 16.
For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance for certain foreign country clearances, you may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html. If a police clearance cannot be obtain by those not physically present in the former work country, the police clearance will not be requested during the consular officer’s interview.
What are the chances of getting a US visa if I won’t be able to obtain Police Clearance from Bahrain? I emailed embassy of kingdom of Bahrain in Thailand and got a response from them saying that If I won’t able to submit the required documents for Good Conduct Certificate/Police Clearance my chances of getting a certificate is very low. So how do I go about this? and the processing time involve in getting a police clearance in Bahrain will take 6 months or sometimes longer.
Please I really need your advise on this matter. I would appreciate it very much whatever information you can give.
Thank you very much in advance and GOD Bless!!!
Note: I lost other documents required in obtaining Police Clearance in Bahrain due to flood that strikes our place of residence in the Philippines back in 2003. Lost documents are the following:
> a copy of the passport that you used in Bahrain
> a copy of your old or expired resident visa for Bahrain
> copy of ACR/ residence permit).
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
We understand that you are having difficulty obtaining the required police clearance.
A consular officer may consider the submission of substitute documentation or secondary evidence in lieu of the police certificate only if that document is unobtainable. However, according to country-specific information on police records found at the State Department’s web site, police certificate from Bahrain is obtainable. There is no waiver for this requirement.
Good day Sir/ Madame !
I am in dire need for an answer. I had my interview last January 7th and during the interview I was asked if i have lived or stayed in any country for 6 months or longer and I told the consul that i have stayed both in Korea and Vietnam…I was asked for how long and I answered I’ve stayed a year in Korea and 6 months in Vietnam according to the best of my recollection…But now I was able to find my old passport and it indicates that I have only stayed for in Vietnam for 5 months… Do I still need to secure a foreign police clearance from Vietnam when in fact only those who’ve stayed for 6 or more months are required to get a foreign police clearance? Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I would highly appreciate your helpful response…
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager. For specific information regarding the visa case, please send an email to IVManilaReplies@state.gov with the complete name of the applicant and the petitioner, their date and place of birth, and the 10-digit visa case number clearly indicated.
Hi, my wife is applying immigrant under E3 employment visa. I and my 2-year old son is already included in the petition. Our priority date is nearly a month to go based from the latest visa bulletin.
However, what bothers me is that I worked in Afghanistan for a total of 2 years.
I’ve checked the reciprocity of Afghanistan and it says police clearance from Afghanistan is not available. However, E3 was not included in the visa classification list. Does this reciprocity table only for temporary visitors (non-immigrant) to the United States?
Please help thanks! Appreciate it very much!
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
Immigrant visa applicants are required to present a police certificate from any place or places of residence for more than one year since attaining the age of 16. However, according to country-specific information on police records found at the State Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=8938, police certificates are unavailable, hence applicants are not expected to produce them.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
Immigrant visa applicants including those under the E3 category are required to present a police certificate, if available, from any place or places of residence for at least one year since attaining the age of 16. However, according to country-specific information on police records found at the State Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=8938, police certificates are considered to be unavailable, hence applicants are not expected to produce them.
hello! its from my father, he was petitioned by his father-in-law, all of the requirements are submitted, but the NVC is requesting for KOREAN POLICE CLEARANCE. since my father worked there long time ago, so i am asking how to obtain a police clearance so that his papers will move. please we need your help. Thank you,.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
Immigrant visa applicants are required to present a police certificate from any place or places of residence for more than one year since attaining the age of 16.
For information on how to obtain a police clearance from South Korea, you may visit the State Department’s website at
http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9223.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
Immigrant visa applicants are required to present a police certificate, if available, from any place or places of residence for at least one year since attaining the age of 16. However, according to country-specific information on police records found at the State Department’s web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9223, police certificates are considered to be unavailable to applicants who no longer reside in Korea and hence applicants are not expected to produce them.
hi! i understand that this question has been asked by jimmy on the prev q but i just want to confirm coz i have lived in dubai for 4 years, been on a ship for a year ( uk based company) and singapore for a year now and at present. so for the police clearance i only need to provide Singapore Clearance is that right? Thank you.
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
An immigrant visa applicant is required to present a police certificate from any place of residence for at least 1 (one) year since attaining the age of 16. We understand that you have resided in Dubai and Singapore for more than one year. For specific instructions on how to obtain police clearances from Singapore, you may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html. Police certificates are considered to be unavailable to applicants who no longer reside in the UAE.
Good day Sir / Madam,
I am in Singapore and have a job offer in Canada. Just like everybody else, i need to have a police clearance from the other countries i worked at for more than a year. I have worked at the Federated States of Micronesia for 5 years. It being a US territory group of islands, i am wondering if i can get my police clearance from the US embassy here. If not, i am humbly asking for advice or suggestions how i can get. I cannot go to the FSM now since it will require at least a US transit VISA via Guam.
Your advice is highly appreciated..Thank you!
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
You may wish to inquire at the Canadian Embassy or Consulate where your visa application is being processed about the reciprocity procedures Canada may have with Micronesia.
hi good day im working in Qatar in 1yr now im going to go to canada but may wife say i need to get the police clearance in the prvious country i work for..how can i get request for my police clearance???
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog. For specific instructions on how to obtain police clearances Qatar, you may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html.
Hello. I have difficulty obtaining Singapore police clearance form unless I have an official letter from local US embassy. They have problems obtaining one for me. If I’m able to get one from US embassy, will it affect my tourist visa application?
My agency told me to submit singapore clearance to them and do not send to NVC directly. I’m wondering if NVC provides the letter, isn’t it (COC) will be sent to NVC instead of my agency’s address? Or Can I request my agency to provide this official letter? thanks
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog. For specific questions related to your case, please send an e-mail to IVManilaReplies@state.gov with your complete name and case number clearly indicated. Or you may call the Immigrant Visa Unit’s inquiry line at 301-2000, extension 5184 or 5185 during regular business hours.
I applied for a Fiancée Visa K-129. My application has been approved and is in the Post Decision Process. I have completed all required documentation and sent it to my Fiance in Manila Philipines. She has not yet received her information packet to continue the application process. My Fiancée has NBI certificate clearance in the Philippines, In the interim of this step, I was reading on the internet a noticed that if a person after age 16 worked in any other country, they need a Police clearance certificate from that country as well.
Since we are getting closer to our successful application, and we are making wedding arrangements, Can you tell me if a COC is needed from Singapore. My Fiance worked there for 6 months only in 2011-2102. I am trying to take all measures necessary to avoid any delays. If she needs this certificate, Is there a form from US Immigration She must acquire to request this COC document?
Any Help and information you can advise me of would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
A K nonimmigrant visa applicant is required to present a police certificate, if available, from any place or places of residence for at least six months since attaining the age of 16. For specific instructions on how to obtain a police clearance from Singapore, you may visit our website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9732