DS-230

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Hi all,

I'm going through the CR-1 spouse visa process. I just got my I-864 packet and IV fee bill at the same time. I already paid the IV bill online and it shows paid, so I'll ignore the IV bill forms they mailed me.

All good so far, I think. Now I'm just waiting for the DS-230 packet. Does anyone know how long it should take before I get that? I apparently can't move to request police clearance from Hong Kong until I have something in hand from the NVC showing my name, my spouse's name and the NVC case number.

I'm hoping I'm waiting for a reason and the DS-230 packet will have the letter I will need. I'm assuming this is just a letter with our names that tells us to get the necessary documentation together. Am I thinking correctly?

I'm still worried that when I finally do send my DS-230 packet to the NVC without the clearance from Hong Kong, that they will think my submission is incomplete. Has anyone who needed the Hong Kong clearance had a delay because they didn't send it to the NVC with the DS-230?

I'm probably just worrying for no reason...

Thanks!

[trailmix 77]

I don't have any Hong Kong specific information, however generally this is the letter they will send you regarding the DS-230. All it has is a web address you go to, you then choose your embassy from the drop down list - the next page has information specific to your embassy which includes:

- Information on which documents you must submit with the DS-230 and a link for the DS-230 form you will fill out.

I would imagine you cannot submit your DS-230 without your police clearance, or rather, you can - but they will just send you an RFE (request for evidence) and will wait for you to send it to them.

[googles 0]

I don't have any Hong Kong specific information, however generally this is the letter they will send you regarding the DS-230. All it has is a web address you go to, you then choose your embassy from the drop down list - the next page has information specific to your embassy which includes:

- Information on which documents you must submit with the DS-230 and a link for the DS-230 form you will fill out.

I would imagine you cannot submit your DS-230 without your police clearance, or rather, you can - but they will just send you an RFE (request for evidence) and will wait for you to send it to them.

Thanks for posting the image. It looks like that's the letter I'll be waiting for that HK will require.

Regarding not submitting the DS-230 without the clearance, I cannot do that because Hong Kong insists on sending it to the embassy and not to me. This is where I'm unclear. What does the NVC do after I don't send them what they told me to send (because it is impossible for me to send what I can never receive)?

[trailmix 77]

You might want to paste the following in to a word document and submit it with your DS-230 and reference the web address where you found this information (below). They should already have this information, of course, but it can't hurt if you are concerned that they may hold it up because you are not actually submitting it. You may also want to send NVC some proof you have requested it, perhaps that is something someone familiar with Hong Kong processing can answer.

Certificate of No-Criminal Conviction (CNCC)

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc..._3579.html#docs

Available from the Hong Kong police only to an applicant upon his and/or her written request, for whom there is no criminal record, and delivered in person or by mail. The written request should be addressed to the Commission of Police, (Attention EO CNCC),14/F, Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. The request should provide the applicant’s full name, date of birth, and must be accompanied by:

A bank draft in the amount of 165 Hong Kong dollars for each person, made payable to “The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.” Drafts in foreign currency must include an additional bank service charge of 100 Hong Kong dollars.

Documentary proof that a visa application has been made (letter from an American consular office requiring the certificate will suffice) and the location of the office where the application for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status is being made. If the person applying for a CNCC is a derivative applicant, the name of the principal applicant should also be included.

A full set of fingerprints of the applicant taken and certified by a recognized official police or law enforcement agent. The officer should endorse the fingerprint form with his or her signature and official stamp, attesting that the fingerprints are indeed taken from the applicant. Fingerprints taken by private or commercial agencies are not acceptable.

A photocopy of the applicant’s Hong Kong identity card or travel document. The Chinese commercial code number must be shown if Chinese characters are used for their names.

The applicant shall authorize the Hong Kong Police to retain his/her fingerprints and to disclose details of any criminal conviction recorded against him/her in Hong Kong to the appropriate Consulate/Immigration Authority.

Following the return of the completed personal data form and a fingerprint consent form, a "Certificate of No Criminal Conviction" or an appropriate reply together with the applicant's police record will be sent directly to the Consulate and/or immigration office. If a court record is required, the applicant should write directly to the Registrar of the High Court or the First Clerk of the Court. The applicant or his/her attorney should have a record of which court he/she attended for the hearing of the case.

NOTE: It is essential that applicants for the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) inform the HK Police Force which U.S. Embassy/Consulate General will be handling their visa application process. If they are applying for immigrant visas, their visa case number is useful because it bears the country code (for example, HNK for Hong Kong). If they are applying for adjustment of status with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), applicants should declare the location of the USCIS office where they are applying for their immigrant status. All derivative applicants should list the name of the principal applicant in their application for a CNCC.

Edited July 2, 2008 by trailmix

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Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't thought of including the Hong Kong instructions, but I think it's a good idea and I'll send it along as a subtle reminder.