Manila: Hong Kong Dollar bank draft for police certificate

[im coming home 12]

Try HSBC or China bank. they do HK bank draft...im not sure about their requirements,but there's no harm in trying anyways.

Edited July 5, 2014 by im coming home

[Stuckinthevoid 1]

We tried them both. China bank actually said that they won't do HK bank draft. HSBC said it would require an account for 6 months.

[dinachuck 0]

My fiance spent three years working in Hong Kong 15 years ago and needs to acquire a police certificate. This is the last issue we have to resolve before her K1 interview.

We have been trying to acquire the bank draft in HK dollars that is required to get her police certificate, but none of the banks will issue it. As we read in other posts here some BPI branches will do it (and my fiance has an account there), but they have recently changed their police and cannot issue bank drafts at BPI in Hong Kong dollars. We have tried many other banks but none will issue the draft.

Has anyone recently had success in Manila with acquiring a bank draft in HK dollars? If so, which bank? Did they require an account there?

Thank you.

did you have trouble getting the letter from the NVC that states the reason for the CERTIFICATE OF NO CONVICTION. I have searched all over this site and see no one stating what they did to get the letter. I emailed the HKP and they replied that i needed the letter before they would process my CERTIFICATE REQUEST.

any help would be great.

chuck and dina

[teddy k 35]

Hi, i was in the same way as you dealing with a police clearance from Singapore what a nightmare the first application we sent was never processed due to a letter they never received from nvc stating no conviction so we ended up starting over by going there with a new bank draft from wellsfargo plus a letter from nvc ,there website states 10 working days to process that's only for people from their own country but for a foreign worker 3 weeks so i had to put my wife on a plane and get her an hotel for that that very costly plus it put us back by 4 months in nvc too

[Al422 221]

HSBC. My wife needed a draft in Singapore dollars, and HSBC was our salvation.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

dinachuck, on 13 Dec 2014 - 12:05 AM, said:

did you have trouble getting the letter from the NVC that states the reason for the CERTIFICATE OF NO CONVICTION. I have searched all over this site and see no one stating what they did to get the letter. I emailed the HKP and they replied that i needed the letter before they would process my CERTIFICATE REQUEST.

any help would be great.

chuck and dina

Here is information that I have gathered from different sources and other VJ'rs for HK police clearance. Maybe there is something in there that will help.

Official Instructions located here for HK Police Clearance.

http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/iv_polclear.html

http://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/cert_no_crime.html HK Police website

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/420435-hong-kong-police-clearance-problem/

HK police told us that they still receive transfers from PNB and HSBC but the other banks they no longer receive transfers from (i.e.. information in older threads regarding BPI and BDO transfers are outdated and no longer relevant...hence my specific question regarding information from people who've done it successfully recently). HK police also do not have any other payment options like wire transfers or PayPal. PNB and HSBC both require accounts that have been valid for 6 months.

From <http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/504181-manila-hong-kong-dollar-bank-draft-for-police-certificate/>

Notes to Overseas Applicants

The issuance of Certificates of No Criminal Conviction is a charged service provided by the Hong Kong Police Force which is solely in connection with a person's application for a visa to visit or reside in another country, or for adoption of children. Applications for the Certificate for any other purposes will not be accepted.

Application Procedures and Documentation Requirements

2. Applications should be made in writing to:

The Commissioner of Police

(Attn.: EO CNCC)

14/F, Arsenal House,

Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street,

Wan Chai, Hong Kong

3. Applicants may also arrange to hand in their application to the above quoted address or deposit their application into the drop-in box provided at the First Floor of the Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wanchai.

From <http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/420435-hong-kong-police-clearance-problem/>

Also I had prior to this sent an inquiry email to the Hong Kong Police CNCC office asking for advice, This is the email reply I got from the Hong Kong Police just a little bit ago.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your email.

Applicant's representative may submit the document on her behalf and pay by

cash in our office. Our office is located at 14/F, Arsenal House, Police

Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong on Monday to Friday

from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm. We close on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Please note that payment at Police Shroff closes between 1:00 pm and 2:00

pm and at 5:00 pm.

The representative may also write a personal cheque HK$ 185 which is issued

and authorized by any licensed bank in HK and attached with all other

required documents and put it into the drop in box.

Regards,

Ms. Sybille YUNG

Officer-in-Charge

Certificate of No Criminal Conviction Office

Hong Kong Police Force

From <http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/420435-hong-kong-police-clearance-problem/>

Below is what Hong Kong Police said would work:

c) A photocopy of a letter from the relevant Consulate / Immigration Authority / Government Authority, which contains his or her name and clearly indicates that the production of the Certificate is required.

Below is the RFE Check List Letter (email) from NVC we sent to Hong Kong as proof the Hong Kong CNCC is required:

March 6, 2013

NVC Case Number: MNLXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX:

We have reviewed the documents which you submitted in support of an application for an immigrant visa. Please review the information listed under each applicant's name and provide any documents which are indicated as missing or need additional information. You must submit the required information. Failure to provide the requested information will delay your immigrant visa interview.

Please read the enclosed information to determine where to send all required copies of missing documents. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please call the National Visa Center at (603) 334-0700 between the hours of 7:30am and midnight ET.

Please include a copy of this letter with your correspondence and write your case number clearly (exactly as it appears below) on the upper right-hand corner of all documents.

From the date you mail or transmit the requested information, please allow 20 business days for NVC to review this documentation/your mail. When we complete our review, the NVC will notify you/petitioner/beneficiary/attorney with information regarding the next processing step.

If a period of one year passes without contacting the NVC (by e-mail, telephone, or mail), all submitted fees and documents will expire. Upon expiration, the fees and documents would need to be resubmitted in order to continue the immigration process.

Case Number: MNLXXXXXXXXXX

Beneficiary's Name: XXXXXX, XXXXXX XXXXXX

Preference Category: IR1 - SPOUSE OF UNITED STATES CITIZEN

Priority Date: 21FEB2011

INSTRUCTIONS FOR: XXXXXX, XXXXXX XXXXXX

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Documents must be from the appropriate issuing government authority. Failure to provide the correct document will delay your case and may result in re-scheduling of your interview, or refusal of a visa.

In addition to the original documents or certified copies of the documents, a photocopy of the original documents must be submitted to the NVC.

For many countries, the U.S. Department of State has established country-specific criteria for ensuring that applicants submit documents appropriate for visa processing. Please follow the instructions below to determine if the U.S. Department of State has issued any country specific guidelines for the requested document.

Please go to www.immigrantvisas.state.gov.

1. Click on the Fees & Reciprocity Tables box located on the left side of the page.

2. Click on the Visa Issuance Fee - Reciprocity Tables line near the middle of the page.

3. From the drop-down menu, select the country where the document was issued.

4. Scroll down to the document type to view the specific criteria.

All documents not in English or in the official language of the country in which the visa application will be processed must be accompanied by a certified translation. Your translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states the following:

•Translation is accurate, and

•Translator is competent to translate.

If it is impossible to obtain an original document or a certified copy of the original document because records have been destroyed or the appropriate government authority will not issue one, you should obtain a certified statement from the appropriate government authority stating the reason your record is not available.

______10 - HONG KONG S. A. R. POLICE CERTIFICATE:__________________

Police Clearances from Hong Kong

Police clearances for Hong Kong will be sent by the police authorities directly to the U.S. Consulate General. The Consulate General will liaise directly with NVC when the police clearances are received.

There is no need to confirm the receipt of your police clearance with either the Consulate or NVC. Please note that failure to apply for a police certificate at least 6 weeks before the scheduled interview

date may result in a delay with processing the visa application.

Applying for a Police Clearance from Hong Kong The issuance of a Certificate of No Criminal Conviction is a charged service provided by the Hong Kong Police Force. Both individuals residing in Hong Kong and individuals residing outside of Hong Kong may apply.

Individuals residing in Hong Kong

All applicants should appear in person at the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction Office which is located at 14/F, Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. The office is open from 9am to 5:15pm from Monday to Friday. (Note: The payment window is closed daily between 1-2pm and stops accepting payments at 5pm.) Applicants may elect to make an advance appointment through the Automatic Telephone Appointment System at 2396-5351, no less than one day in advance of the intended appointment.

An applicant should be prepared to present the following items:

(1) his/her Hong Kong Identity Card or valid travel document;

(2) the original and a photocopy (for each applicant) of the letter from NVC which contains his/her name and the checklist of documents necessary for obtaining a visa (the one that references the need for police certificates);

(3) the original and photocopy of a document proving his/her relationship with the principal applicant for the visa if item #2 does not contain the applicant name;

(4) the processing fee of HK$185 per person payment via cash, Octopus cards or checks payable to Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.”

All applicants must consent to have their fingerprints taken. Each applicant must sign an authorization that the fingerprints can be retained by the Hong Kong Police and that details of any criminal conviction recorded in Hong Kong can be disclosed to the U.S. Consulate General.

Individuals residing outside Hong Kong

Applications should be made in writing to:

The Commission of Police (Attn: EO CNCC) 14/F, Arsenal House Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street Wan Chai, Hong Kong

An applicant residing outside Hong Kong must submit the following items. Please note that documents issued in languages other than Chinese or English, must be accompanied by an official transcript, in Chinese or English, endorsed either by the issuing authority or a certificated translation services body.

(1) his/her Hong Kong Identity Card or valid travel document;

(2) the original and a photocopy (for each applicant) of the letter from NVC which contains his/her name and the checklist of documents necessary for obtaining a visa (the one that references the need for police certificates);

(3) the original and photocopy of a document proving his/her relationship with the principal applicant for the visa if item #2 does not contain the applicant name;

(4) a full set of the applicant fingerprints taken and certified by a recognized and official police or law enforcement agency where the applicant currently resides. Certification of the fingerprints must

clearly state: (i) the full name and rank of the person taking the prints, (ii) the full name of the police or law enforcement agency with their official chop; and (iii) the date and place the prints were taken. Prints that do not clearly show certification will be refused. Fingerprints taken by the applicant him/herself, a legal representative or private/commercial agency are also unacceptable.

(5) a bank draft in the amount of HK$185 per person, made payable to Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The draft must be payable in Hong Kong. A personal cheque in Hong Kong dollars, which is issued an authorized by any licensed banks in Hong Kong, is also acceptable.

If an applicant is under investigation by the Hong Kong Police or is currently a defendant in criminal proceedings in Hong Kong or is subject to non-payment of fines including traffic offences, his/her application will not be further processed until the matter has been concluded.

The relevant application form, standard personal data form, and fingerprint consent form can be downloaded from the Hong Kong Police homepage at www.police.gov.hk. Any inquiries may be addressed to Certificate of No Criminal Conviction office, email: eo-cncc-ib@police.gov.hk,

phone: +852-2860-6557 (for local residents); +852-2860-6558 (for overseas applicants), fax: +852-2200-4321.

[Y1P 03/06/2013] MNLXXXXXXXXXX

From <http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/420435-hong-kong-police-clearance-problem/>

You need a letter from the US Embassy to get the police clearance. Keep the original & just send the photocopy ... which is clearly stated below.

Notes to Overseas Applicants

The issuance of Certificates of No Criminal Conviction is a charged service provided by the Hong Kong Police Force which is solely in connection with a person's application for a visa to visit or reside in another country, or for adoption of children. Applications for the Certificate for any other purposes will not be accepted.

Application Procedures and Documentation Requirements

2. Applications should be made in writing to:

The Commissioner of Police

(Attn.: EO CNCC)

14/F, Arsenal House,

Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street,

Wan Chai, Hong Kong

3. Applicants may also arrange to hand in their application to the above quoted address or deposit their application into the drop-in box provided at the First Floor of the Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wanchai.

4. All applications must contain the following documents:

a) A completed application form .

b) A photocopy of his or her Hong Kong Identity Card / valid Travel Document.

c) A photocopy of a letter from the relevant Consulate / Immigration Authority / Government Authority, which contains his or her name and clearly indicates that the production of the Certificate is required.

d) A photocopy of the documents proving his or her relationship with the Principal Applicant for the application if the said letter does not contain his or her own name.

e) A full set of his or her fingerprints taken and certified by a recognized police or law enforcement agency where he or she presently resides. A full set of fingerprints should include the impression of each of his or her fingers, the plain impression of the four fingers of his or her left and right hand taken simultaneously, and the plain impressions of thumbs. Certification of the fingerprints must clearly state:

i. The name and rank of the person taking the fingerprints

ii. The full name of the police or law enforcement agency with their official chop, and

iii. The date and place taken

Fingerprints submitted that do not clearly show certification are not acceptable. Fingerprints taken by the applicants themselves, a legal representative or private / commercial agency are also unacceptable.

f) A bank draft to the amount of HK$185 per person, made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". The draft must be payable in Hong Kong. A personal cheque in Hong Kong dollar which is issued and authorized by any licensed banks in Hong Kong is also acceptable.

Application documents issued in languages other than Chinese or English, shall be accompanied with an official transcript, in Chinese or English, as endorsed either by the issuing authority, or a certified translation services body.

Authorization to disclose Criminal Records and Issuance of Certificate

5. The applicant can download a fingerprint consent form, an application form (online form)and a standard personal data form (online form) for completion, and then send them together with the application. He or She shall authorize the Hong Kong Police to retain the fingerprints and that details of any criminal conviction recorded against him or her in Hong Kong can be disclosed to the appropriate Consulate/Immigration Authority / Government Authority without prior reference to him or her. If the aforesaid documents are not received by this office at time of application, blank forms will be sent to the applicant upon acceptance of his/her application. In the absence of the completed documents, application shall not be further processed.

6. If no criminal conviction data against the applicant in Hong Kong is located, we shall issue the Certificate and send it directly by registered mail to the relevant Consulate / Immigration Authority / Government Authority within four calendar weeks.

7. If criminal conviction data is found, both the relevant Consulate / Immigration Authority / Government Authority and the applicant will be replied with a letter advising that the Certificate could not be issued and listing out the conviction data by registered post, within the prescribed period.

8. If the applicant is under investigation by the Hong Kong Police Force, or is currently a defendant in criminal proceedings in Hong Kong, or is subject of non-payment of fine including traffic offences, his/her application will not be further processed until the matter concerned has been concluded. We shall issue a letter to the applicant informing that his/her application is pending conclusion of the matter. Once there are no outstanding matters, a Certificate or letter will be issued, in accordance with Paragraphs 6 & 7 above.

Handling of Personal Data

9. The personal data provided by the applicants will only be used for the purpose of processing their applications. Every applicant has the right to request for access and correction of his or her personal data, by sending a written request to the Chief Inspector (Support) Identification Bureau at 10/F, Arsenal House West Wing, Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong. In order to recover the administrative cost of acceding to such request, the applicant may be charged for any copy of the data requested, and in most cases, the prevailing government rate for photocopies will apply. All fingerprints and other personal data collected shall be destroyed within a reasonable period of time upon conclusion of the application process.

Enquiries

10. For enquiries, you may write to the Office, e-mail eo-cncc-ib@police.gov.hk

call

(852) 2860 6558 or fax (852) 2200 4321.

From <http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/385484-nbi-from-hong-kong/>

[mark-n-daisy 9]

I sent mine May of 26th my fiancee has issued his personal check for the payment but before end of June they send it back to my fiancee they said they cannot process my police certificate because they want a bank check or bank draft and fiancee did as they told and re-mailed it to hong kong the same day. Getting a bank draft here or money order is such a headache it took me so long i have BDO accnt but they did not issue me unless u open for check account

Just went through this frustrating process for my fiancee. They will accept bank drafts/checks in US dollars but they charge and extra fee. At today's exchange rate they quoted me to pay $41.Plus they said it would delay processing because of the time required to convert the money. It already takes them 30 days. Bogus I know but that's Hong Kong for you.

[Don and Anne 0]

We are currently struggling with this same issue so I can report not much has changed. We tried every bank in her area and none would issue a money order or bank draft in HKD. We tried ChinaBank, BPO, BPI, Western Union and the Philippine Post office. The website of the Philippine post office states that they will issue money orders in HKD but when she inquired in Dipolog City she was told they are not allowed to issue those in Mindanao.

So, like others, we resorted to having her contact an acquaintance in Hong Kong and sending the documents over to her to hand carry to the police station there. On a side note, none of the international courier services will allow cash to be included in a package with the forms. LBC will deliver cash but it has to be in a separate mail package for some reason. Perhaps its a customs issue. She also had a hard time getting the fingerprints in her city. The first time she went they said they did not have the proper paper. The next three or four times she contacted them they said that only one individual is qualified to make those prints the way Hong Kong requires and that individual was not there that day. After about three weeks of trying she finally caught that person there and got her fingerprints done.

My recommendation to anyone going into this process with Hong Kong is the following:

1. Start very very early gathering the documents needed and completing the forms for Hong Kong.

2. Identify a friend or some person in Hong Kong who will agree to hand deliver this package to the police station in Wan Chai.

3. Gather up all the documents and mail those to the friend in Hong Kong even before you receive the required letter from the NVC or the embassy.

4. Once you receive the letter, scan it and send via email so the person in HK can print it there and add it to the package. At the same time you can wire the money via Western Union or some equivalent money service. They can print the NVC letter, pick up the money and then drop it at the police station without you needing to wait a week or so for the documents to be delivered to them. This should save you about two or three weeks overall.

I wish someone had told me all this a few months ago. We could have saved ourselves a lot of headaches.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Many here will appreciate your posting your experience and that you took the time to help. I found your last statement somewhat false as there has been many postings of this issue. I will share them with you but also in hopes that if someone else reads this post will benefit.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/504181-manila-hong-kong-dollar-bank-draft-for-police-certificate/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/420435-hong-kong-police-clearance-problem/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/385484-nbi-from-hong-kong/