Police Certificates (again)

[milneshine 0]

I applied for a Police Certificate a few months ago (in advance) and have just recieved a PNC check from the National Identification Service.

However, my recent pack of instructions from the Embassy says that effective of February 15th Immigrants to the US, based in the UK, have to produce the certificate from ACPO but is this just the same info from a different office (and £70 dearer??)

Do I need to get a new Police check done. Please help as the interview date is pretty soon!!!

[L & P 0]

the new certificate cost £ 35 and you can get it within 10 working days instead of 40 for old one........Jeraly passed her interview with the old one yesterdat so it is up to you ....Personally I have requested the new one....just to make sure and i did received it within less than 5 working days

[minnietheminx 0]

How soon is your interview. They accepted mine no questions asked yesterday. I even brought a print out from the embassy website just incase. I cant find the link right now, but on it it says

"If you have applied for, or in possession of a Subject Access Statement and you will appear for a visa interview before August 15, 2008, the Non immigrant Visa Section will accept this Statement provided it was issued within 6 months of the date of your visa interview. Applicants appearing for interview on or after August 15 will be required to furnish the new style police certificate from the ACPO"

[milneshine 0]

Aaagh, so to add to the confusion:

I phoned the Embassy and they said that the old PNC check wouldn't be valid if your interview was AFTER April 14th.

HOWEVER, I was then e-mailed by ACPO, who produce the new certificates and they said that the old version was valid until August.

I appreciate that this process isn't supposed to be easy or user friendly but this is taking things a bit too far. Stress levels slowly rising....

[L & P 0]

Well if the embassy says April 14th, I would advise you to get the new one just to be on safe side

[T and M 1]

Ditto.

It's fast, costs 35 pounds, and will lower your stress levels significantly! I highly recommend it!

[milneshine 0]

Right. It would appear that the old certificate is still being accepted for non-immigrant visas until August.

For immigrant visas only the new certificate will be accepted after April 14th.

[stevi1123 0]

Better safe than sorry...I would go with the new one also.