Interview without Police Certificate

[noemi 0]

Is there anyone who went in for an interview without the necessary police certificate?

I'm a Japanese citizen, presently living in Japan, but lived in Hangzhou, China for 2-1/2 years teaching at a language school, and therefore, need a police certificate from China. I had my aquaintances go to the notary office and police station to get the certificate, but long story short, they couldn't.

Since I can't get the certificate, I'm planning to get a letter from the school (where I taught saying that to the best of their knowledge I wasn't charged or convicted) and take that to my interview.

I'm worried that this isn't going to be good enough and that I'll be denied the visa. Has anyone had a similar experience?

[*JG* 2]

At the Jamaican embassy, it is hit or miss if they ask for the police certificate. However, when they have asked for it, they accept nothing buy a police record from every place you have lived for longer then 6 months since the age of 16.

[YuAndDan 153]

In China it depends on visa type that you were in the country, if it was a resident visa, you had to register at the PSB and they should have a record.

Certificates are available for those in the J-1, Z, and X categories. The GOC does not issue police records for temporary residents of China in L or F visa categories.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc...ocity_3537.html

If the visa used to enter China was an L or F visa then provide a copy of the visa, as well as the notation from DOS Reciprocity web page.

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Your visa wont be denied but it wont be approved either until you submit ALL the required documents.

The letter of your employer certifying that to the best of their knowlodget you have no police records, is not valid. Police records have to be issued by the competent authority.

[Meridien 0]

It is my understanding that there are some countries where it is impossible or nearly impossible to get a police certificate, especially if you are not living in the country. I had to get a couple of foreign certificates (from Australia and England) and used the info on this page to get them: http://www.usvisa.com/policecertificates.shtml

They have a couple of links on there about getting police certificates from China, but the links don't appear to work. Maybe there is more info out there on the internet which could help.

I'm not sure how the consulate will deal with this, but it is probably a good idea to contact them directly and ask for guidance. I would suggest you write a letter outlining your efforts to get the police certificate and explaining why it was impossible to get. Unfortunately, I think it will be very much up to the individual consulate, so there's no way of knowing for sure what will happen. I wish you luck with this!

[tomliz 0]

In the philippines you have to get the clearance of the country where you live for at least 6months and it takes almost 3months to wait but the US embassy interview you even you dont have clearance from the place where you live for 6months and the wont release your visa until you will bring your clearance to the embassy (US)

[noemi 0]

At the Jamaican embassy, it is hit or miss if they ask for the police certificate. However, when they have asked for it, they accept nothing buy a police record from every place you have lived for longer then 6 months since the age of 16.

Thanks for replying, Jomo's girl.

Looks like I'll need a police certificate. That's what I was afraid of. Hmmm...

[noemi 0]

Hi YuAndDan,

I entered China with an L visa and got it switched to a Z visa. I'm sure the school got me registered. I remember getting a little green booklet (residence permit?) which I left with passport control at Shanghai Pudong Airport when leaving the country. So, technically, I should be able to get the visa, right? That's why I'm concerned. The embassy could say, "Well, other people are getting their certificates from China. Why can't you?"

Anyway, thanks for replying.

[noemi 0]

Hi eric_and_teresa,

Your visa wont be denied but it wont be approved either until you submit ALL the required documents.

The letter of your employer certifying that to the best of their knowlodget you have no police records, is not valid. Police records have to be issued by the competent authority.

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. Oh, well, thanks for replying.

I see your K-1 visa was approved. Congratulations!

[noemi 0]

Hi Meridien,

It is my understanding that there are some countries where it is impossible or nearly impossible to get a police certificate, especially if you are not living in the country. I had to get a couple of foreign certificates (from Australia and England) and used the info on this page to get them: http://www.usvisa.com/policecertificates.shtml

They have a couple of links on there about getting police certificates from China, but the links don't appear to work. Maybe there is more info out there on the internet which could help.

I'm not sure how the consulate will deal with this, but it is probably a good idea to contact them directly and ask for guidance. I would suggest you write a letter outlining your efforts to get the police certificate and explaining why it was impossible to get. Unfortunately, I think it will be very much up to the individual consulate, so there's no way of knowing for sure what will happen. I wish you luck with this!

I contacted the embassy. They weren't really able to tell me anything or were unwilling to say anything. After all, the rule is that I have a police certificate. In the end, they said that it would be up to the consul who interviews me to decide.

Thanks for taking the time to reply and for wishing me luck. I'll need it!

[noemi 0]

Hi Tomliz,

In the philippines you have to get the clearance of the country where you live for at least 6months and it takes almost 3months to wait but the US embassy interview you even you dont have clearance from the place where you live for 6months and the wont release your visa until you will bring your clearance to the embassy (US)

I see. I'll go in for the interview without the police certificate and see what happens. Thanks for replying. I appreciate it.