Are police records required if my fiance spent time in a foreign country?

[jdseidel 40]

My fiance spent some time traveling in Australia on a tourist visa several years ago. Our case in en route to the consulate in Israel and I wanted to know if Australian police records are required for the K-1 visa. She spent ~5 months in Australia, then traveled to Fiji for a week or so while she renewed her Australian visa, then she traveled back to Australia and spent exactly 6 months there. Total time was close to a year but she never spent more than 6 months in country during the individual stays. She also traveled while she was there so she did not maintain a permanent residence, did not work, did not obtain residence or any sort of Australian identification. Do we still have to obtain an Australian police record for her?

[HeatDeath 430]

As far as I can recall, you need police reports from any place where you've lived for 6 months or more, regardless of what your status was there.

[chrismanilyn 4]

had the same exact situation but for SG...and yes they did require police report and unfortunately I didn't get it in time for the interview...caused almost 2 month delay

[jdseidel 40]

That was my understanding as well. Is the 6 month requirement cumulative (in other words it applies to my fiance b/c she spent a total of 11 months there regardless of the fact that her stays were broken up) or is it on a visit to visit basis?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

My fiance spent some time traveling in Australia on a tourist visa several years ago. Our case in en route to the consulate in Israel and I wanted to know if Australian police records are required for the K-1 visa. She spent ~5 months in Australia, then traveled to Fiji for a week or so while she renewed her Australian visa, then she traveled back to Australia and spent exactly 6 months there. Total time was close to a year but she never spent more than 6 months in country during the individual stays. She also traveled while she was there so she did not maintain a permanent residence, did not work, did not obtain residence or any sort of Australian identification. Do we still have to obtain an Australian police record for her?

It's actually 12 months in any country. http://travel.state.gov/pdf/pk3_supplements/SNS-PK3-ENGL-0711.pdf

So she's close to the requirement... the question is do you want to get one "just in case" or do you want to wait and see and risk a delay? It's not about where you "live" per se. It's because she could still have committed crimes while there. She'd get a National Police Check which is done through the Federal Police and covers all of Australia.

p.s. It's fiancée (2 ee's) when you're talking about the girl of the relationship. This will save confusion in your other posts.

[CnP 4]

I would get it

[jdseidel 40]

It's actually 12 months in any country. http://travel.state.gov/pdf/pk3_supplements/SNS-PK3-ENGL-0711.pdf

So she's close to the requirement... the question is do you want to get one "just in case" or do you want to wait and see and risk a delay? It's not about where you "live" per se. It's because she could still have committed crimes while there. She'd get a National Police Check which is done through the Federal Police and covers all of Australia.

p.s. It's fiancée (2 ee's) when you're talking about the girl of the relationship. This will save confusion in your other posts.

I think the 12 month link you sent is El Salvador specific, but regardless I am going to order one. The Australia Federal Police website has a list of persons they perform checks for and she didn't quite fit into any of the groups, but I'll still submit the form and pay the fee anyway.

Thanks for the tip about fiancee. Leave it to a guy to not know the difference .

had the same exact situation but for SG...and yes they did require police report and unfortunately I didn't get it in time for the interview...caused almost 2 month delay

That's a shame. Thanks for the tip. I will order one tonight. Our interview hasn't been scheduled yet so we still have some time. Now that I'm so close to the end I want to avoid any potential delay.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I think the 12 month link you sent is El Salvador specific, but regardless I am going to order one. The Australia Federal Police website has a list of persons they perform checks for and she didn't quite fit into any of the groups, but I'll still submit the form and pay the fee anyway.

Nope not El Salvador specific. I just didn't click the right link obviously :S

Here's another one: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

You'll see it's the same table (sorry the stupid link didn't post the first time).

Edited July 24, 2013 by VanessaTony

[Trymester3 6]

Hello (I hope I can piggyback off this question as my issue is Aussie-related)

For starters, searching on these forums, some of you are saying 6 months and others are saying 12 months. My lady was in Australia more than 6, but less than 12. Does she need the report or not?

I am a bit confused and hoping any of you may be able to help me. I am a US Citizen and my fiancee is a Japanese citizen. From around the age of 16-17 she spent more than 6 months in Australia as an English student. This means that she will need an Australian police report. According to this website linked earlier:http://travel.state..../fees_3272.html the fee would be "NONE", but as I kept clicking on what seems to be the correct links it led me to the Australian Federal Police Website: http://www.afp.gov.au/

From there I clicked on "National Police Checks" and then "National Police Certificates". It says that there is a $42.00 fee. I don't care about paying the fee, I'm just wanting to make sure that I am trying to ask for the right documents since the US government said there would be no fee. Are the National Police Certificates mentioned on the Australian website what my fiancee will have to take with her to her visa interview?

[jdseidel 40]

Hello (I hope I can piggyback off this question as my issue is Aussie-related)

For starters, searching on these forums, some of you are saying 6 months and others are saying 12 months. My lady was in Australia more than 6, but less than 12. Does she need the report or not?

I am a bit confused and hoping any of you may be able to help me. I am a US Citizen and my fiancee is a Japanese citizen. From around the age of 16-17 she spent more than 6 months in Australia as an English student. This means that she will need an Australian police report. According to this website linked earlier:http://travel.state..../fees_3272.html the fee would be "NONE", but as I kept clicking on what seems to be the correct links it led me to the Australian Federal Police Website: http://www.afp.gov.au/

From there I clicked on "National Police Checks" and then "National Police Certificates". It says that there is a $42.00 fee. I don't care about paying the fee, I'm just wanting to make sure that I am trying to ask for the right documents since the US government said there would be no fee. Are the National Police Certificates mentioned on the Australian website what my fiancee will have to take with her to her visa interview?

I have seen 6 months and 12 months printed on various DOS and consulate websites and forms. Having just had our interview, I can tell you the requirement is over 12 months not 6. That being said, I don't know for sure if this differs from country to country so you may want to contact the US Embassy in Japan directly to find out. You can find their phone number and email address at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-contact.html.

Also, the National Police Certificate you referred to is the correct form should you end up needed one.

[Stella_w 0]

I'm in a similar situation. I spent exactly 6 months in sweden a couple years ago, and the U.S consulate still suggested me to get it even tho in their packet 3 it says 12 months for any foreign country.

In the email from the consulate, I was told that it's a good idea to apply for police certificate for any country that you have stayed for 6 months or more anymore, even tho the requirement for immigrant visa is 12 months, because there's a chance that the CO will ask for the police certificate at the interview.

So get it just in case. I wish I have applied for that swedish police certificate earlier, hope they don't ask me for it during the interview

[baron555 934]

As far as I can recall, you need police reports from any place where you've lived for 6 months or more, regardless of what your status was there.

Yep

[jdseidel 40]

I think the best thing to do is contact the Embassy or Consulate where your interview will be held. My fiancee spent 11 months in Australia. Her interview was on Monday and she was not required to provide an Australian police certificate.