New UK Police Certificate process for US visas - you MUST read this!

[Jeraly 4]

I thought K-1 was non-immigrant visa? I remember there being some confusion over the terminology when we first filed... Looks like I am going to have to get a new certificate after all... I am *SO* angry

[Jeraly 4]

Hmm - looking at one of the above links that says August 15th as the cut off date is hopeful... I am thinking if I print out that page along with my original certificate then I might be able to get away with it providing it is not more than 6months old... does that sound ok?

[Jeraly 4]

Grr... ok sorry for the multi-posting but now I am seeing the non-immigrant part... so where does it say about immigrant visas?!?!

[Lansbury 19]

Why not get the new one as well and be on the safe side. It is hardly a world stopping problem.

[Karaoke 0]

ANOTHER 35 quid???

Plus

"The back of your photograph needs to be signed by a person listed below.

This person is someone other than yourself or a family member who can confirm your identity and has known you for a minimum of 2 years.

Your chosen individual must:

1. Complete and sign the declaration on the application form.

2. Write “I certify this to be a true likeness of (your full name)” on the back of your photograph, which should be signed and dated.

"

ARE THEY INSANE????????? Where the hell do I find someone so silly to write that on the back of a PASSPORT-SIZE photo??? And I need to provide evidence that the person IS a barrister or whatever?

AND who the HECK is ACPO?? why not the standard access office?

I ordered my police certificate 'early' because I knew it would take 40 days or perhaps more. So, I've just wasted £10 and face another delay in receiving paperwork. Great!

[Karaoke 0]

And what if you are NOT in the UK, but just lived there before and your interview is in another country? Will they check? will they not? Anyone has any info?

Someone on the BritishExpats forum just had their interview friday (for an immigrant visa application). He asked the consular officer when the subject access certificates will be accepted until, and the answer given was APRIL 15TH. So it looks like the 15th August date is nonesense - or maybe it just applies to non-immigrant visas.

So if you have your interview for an immigrant visa in London after April 15th, better get an ACPO certificate sorted.

[Lansbury 19]

ARE THEY INSANE????????? Where the hell do I find someone so silly to write that on the back of a PASSPORT-SIZE photo??? And I need to provide evidence that the person IS a barrister or whatever?

AND who the HECK is ACPO?? why not the standard access office?

The back of the photographs is to be endorsed in the same way a photograph for a UK passport is. Lots of people are silly enough to do it, I did it lots of times for people.

ACPO is the Association of Chief Police Officers

[Karaoke 0]

well, still a silly procedure all the same, you agree? ;-)

They have a copy of one's passport, why do they need to "endorse" it? And who endorses the endorser?? LOL

ARE THEY INSANE????????? Where the hell do I find someone so silly to write that on the back of a PASSPORT-SIZE photo??? And I need to provide evidence that the person IS a barrister or whatever?

AND who the HECK is ACPO?? why not the standard access office?

The back of the photographs is to be endorsed in the same way a photograph for a UK passport is. Lots of people are silly enough to do it, I did it lots of times for people.

ACPO is the Association of Chief Police Officers

[BritishGuy36 0]

Does anyone have an interview date in London for after April 15th?

If so, will you please inform us if you are going to attempt to use a subject access response? Then after the date perhaps you can report back with whether you were successful or not.

I am in contact with someone in my county police department by email about the situation, they are saying that the Embassy are saying that subject access is still good until August 15th.

[NickyMcMillan 0]

Yes I have my interview April 30th. I plan to use the subject access report I got in January. Don't see the point in shelling out more money when it may not be required. If they do request I get the new police report, it will only add a few days to my case anyways.

[chavelle 6]

Hi all

Within the last week as I type this (somewhere in the middle of Feb 2008) the process by which you obtain a police certificate valid for application for a visa for entry into the US has CHANGED.

I cannot claim credit for this find as I only found out about it on another forum. Could a mod please make this sticky and perhaps link to the other forums or put a general note in the guides, as this is important.

The page on the US Embassy website detailing how you apply for a police certificate has changed. This page:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/ukpc.html

...now gives a link to this page:

http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp

...for obtaining a police certificate. This is a much faster process, but is more involved and you have to send them much more info and proof than you did before. It also appears to superceed and NULLIFY the previous "subject access application" process.

I have an email address from the letter I got from the police acknowledging my subject access request - I have emailed them asking for comment on this change.

For now, don't waste your £10 on the "old" method as it appears that the US consulate will no longer accept this kind of report for the purposes of visa applications.

If like me you are part-way through the I-130/visa process this is a bit of a nightmare, and it requires some clarification.

I will post back as I get more info.

BG36

Thanks for this was just about to get the old one lined up now it seems i dont have to

Kris

[chavelle 6]

I thought K-1 was non-immigrant visa? I remember there being some confusion over the terminology when we first filed... Looks like I am going to have to get a new certificate after all... I am *SO* angry

I am confused too! My case was completed on 17th march, certificate was issued on 4th feb.It was sent to nvc late feb-early march and was accepted. My case has been forwarded to the consulate and i have an interview date. sooooooooooooooo confusing!

[Jim F 0]

D'oh!

Had my interview on 21st April for a K3 visa - I was happy in the knowledge that I had all the necessary supporting documents... "you can have the visa, but we need the new style police certificate before we can issue it".

They gave me a slip of paper saying where the new style PC can be obtained from and the number for the SMS couriers to phone when I have, so they can collect it and my passport :-o

The PC costs £35 for a 10-wording day turnaraound and £70 for 2 days! :-o

Lovely... but at least they gave me the "Welcome to the USA" booklet and said good luck with your new life in the US :-))

Jim

[milneshine 0]

Well done! I got the old style one and then off the back of reading posts on this site I then got the new one done too. Hopefully all will go well for my Embassy interview on Monday!

[The Wizard 0]

I had my interview on the 23rd April and i got refused with a blue form and was told that i had to get the new police certificate, and all i had to do was send it off with my passport using the courier services, however i didnt get any welcome to amercia booklet or anything like that, they said i should still get my visa but i am stressin like crazy about if i am going to get and when i might get it as i am working to a bit of a time table because of my job.