Police Cert needed for United Arab Emirates?

[Canook 0]

Hi

We are likely going to start applying for a K-3 in the next month so we can move to the US later this year. My husband is a US Citizen and I'm Canadian.

My problem is, we used to live in the U.A.E. for more than ten years before settling in Canada. I have received conflicting info on the requirement for obtaining a police certificate from there. Some places say that you don't need one for Iran or the U.A.E. and some do. I heard you have to be physically present in the UAE to get one - and since the US knows that's not possible if you're not living there, then you aren't required to get one. It's certainly not possible for us! I don't have a criminal record of any kind either.

Does anyone have any info on this? I tried emailing the State department weeks ago but of course, no reply from 'the officials'.

Thanks

[YuAndDan 153]

This is what is said on the State Department Site:

POLICE RECORDS

Available. Police certificates may be obtained by any person, regardless of nationality, by personally appearing at the Central Police Headquarters located in the emirate of residence or former residence. When appearing to request a police certificate, the applicant should provide recent photographs, a letter from the requesting authority, the date of residence in the emirate, and their passport.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/C...ab_Emirates.htm

It look like they are only available to you if you are actually visiting UAE.

See also London's take on this: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/pbcerts.html

They also state not to bother trying to get them from there.

[Canook 0]

Thanks for the links, those articles correspond with the rumours I'd heard. But then what does one put on the application form? Do you add a letter stating that you can't get one and send a copy of those articles, or do you just wait until they ask why you haven't included the certificate? Or maybe they won't ask if they know it's not needed?

Thanks for the help!

[YuAndDan 153]

Thanks for the links, those articles correspond with the rumours I'd heard. But then what does one put on the application form? Do you add a letter stating that you can't get one and send a copy of those articles, or do you just wait until they ask why you haven't included the certificate? Or maybe they won't ask if they know it's not needed?

Thanks for the help!

Contact the consulate or NVC about this.

Police certificates from certain countries are unavailable. More specific information is available from NVC or the nearest United States immigrant visa processing post.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...es_1307.html#pc