South Korea: Obtaining a Police Certificate

[Shauneg 762]

Unfortunately bad news!

I sent power of attorney and all the documents to my Korean friend, but it seems he is too busy to go and get it. Worse he is going to a business trip in a couple of days. I cannot count on him.

As a desperate measure I contacted a few law firms in Korea. The minimum price they asked so far is 1000,000 Korean won which is approximately 1200 dollars.

I think I have to just pay, otherwise I will miss my deadline here which comes in 3 weeks.

It sucks but I cannot think about any other solution. If you know an alternative, I'll be very grateful if you share.

Thanks a lot!

You're Korean? Living in Canada? 1200 dollars is steep.

[rezasorna 1]

You're Korean? Living in Canada? 1200 dollars is steep.

No, I used to study in South Korea from 2003 to 2005. I am from Iran. Now I live in Canada.

1200 dollars is a lot, specially all they need to do is just walking to a police station, submit the forms and pick up the result the same day or at most next day.

I think this is the way lawyers work, use people desperation to make money

[Shauneg 762]

No, I used to study in South Korea from 2003 to 2005. I am from Iran. Now I live in Canada.

1200 dollars is a lot, specially all they need to do is just walking to a police station, submit the forms and pick up the result the same day or at most next day.

I think this is the way lawyers work, use people desperation to make money

Then you dont need the police cert...non citizens living outside the country dont need it.

Even if you stayed there for 10 years. If you aren't there now then the consulate won't require it.

Edited August 17, 2015 by Shauneg

[rezasorna 1]

Then you dont need the police cert...non citizens living outside the country dont need it.

Even if you stayed there for 10 years. If you aren't there now then the consulate won't require it.

The Canadian immigration requires it. I am applying for permanent residence permit in Canada. They want a police certificate from every country that you lived for more than 6 months after the age of 18.

The trouble is Canadian authorities was a special more comprehensive version of the certificate that is only issued inside Korea. The basic version that you can apply through Korean embassies and consulates is not enough for Canadians. They have no idea how much trouble they cause by their excessive demands.

[Shauneg 762]

The Canadian immigration requires it. I am applying for permanent residence permit in Canada. They want a police certificate from every country that you lived for more than 6 months after the age of 18.

The trouble is Canadian authorities was a special more comprehensive version of the certificate that is only issued inside Korea. The basic version that you can apply through Korean embassies and consulates is not enough for Canadians. They have no idea how much trouble they cause by their excessive demands.

Oh. And when did they start giving out police certs to foreign nationals who were not in the country they weren't as recently as last month? I guess I could research that.

[rezasorna 1]

Oh. And when did they start giving out police certs to foreign nationals who were not in the country they weren't as recently as last month? I guess I could research that.

In 2013 I got a regular police certificate from South Korea, through its embassy. So at lease since 2013 they were issuing such certificate. Trouble is Canadians want a certificate which also contains your lapsed recored and investigation record, and this one is only issued inside Korea. You can see here

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/asia-pacific/korea-south.asp

There is a piece of wrong info there though. It says you can apply through Korean embassies which is not correct.

[Shauneg 762]

In 2013 I got a regular police certificate from South Korea, through its embassy. So at lease since 2013 they were issuing such certificate. Trouble is Canadians want a certificate which also contains your lapsed recored and investigation record, and this one is only issued inside Korea. You can see here

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/asia-pacific/korea-south.asp

There is a piece of wrong info there though. It says you can apply through Korean embassies which is not correct.

Thankfully non of the U.S. embassies require it for immigration...seems like a pain.

In 2013 I got a regular police certificate from South Korea, through its embassy. So at lease since 2013 they were issuing such certificate. Trouble is Canadians want a certificate which also contains your lapsed recored and investigation record, and this one is only issued inside Korea. You can see here

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/asia-pacific/korea-south.asp

There is a piece of wrong info there though. It says you can apply through Korean embassies which is not correct.

Thankfully non of the U.S. embassies require it for immigration...seems like a pain.

[rezasorna 1]

1) It may be necessary to make it clear that the certificate is to be used for a visa application. The certificate I obtained today states that it is for "personal verification only" (본인확인용) and goes on to list the penalties for using the certificate for any other purpose. From what I gather, the old application form for the certificate had a box (내용확인용), "for confirmation") to check for this, but it was not present on the form I filled in today. I'll be popping down to the Jongno police station tomorrow to get this confirmed and cleared up, and will update on how that goes. (I've read that they're well-versed in what's required for immigration, probably due to their close proximity to the US embassy.)

Hi,

Finally today my friend managed to sent it to me, but I am afraid it says "personal verification only" and as you mentioned it has a box in the bottom that lists the scary penalties you will face if you use this certificate for any other purpose.

Nobody asked him about this field and as you mentioned there was nothing about it in the application form.

Would you please let me know, did you manage to change this "personal verification only" to something else, or they said it is fine. I have only one week left to my deadline here in Canada, very anxious about what to do.

I appreciate your help.

Thanks a lot!

[MC2001 2]

Thought I'd post about the Korean National Police Certificate (required for packet 3 if the intended immigrant is Korean or has lived in Korea for certain amounts of time), as I've not seen much detailed information about it.

Korean citizens: According to a poster that I saw when I went to obtain my certificate today, it is now possible to apply online for the Korea National Police Certificate here. Unfortunately it seems that the online service is currently only available for Korean citizens; the site did not recognise my ARC number. Still, useful if the intended immigrant is Korean.

Foreigners residing in Korea: The process of obtaining a police certificate at a police station is laid out in the packet 3 instructions, and are mostly on the money. A list of national police stations is available on the KNPA website. A few things from my experience obtaining a certificate today:

1) It may be necessary to make it clear that the certificate is to be used for a visa application. The certificate I obtained today states that it is for "personal verification only" (본인확인용) and goes on to list the penalties for using the certificate for any other purpose. From what I gather, the old application form for the certificate had a box (내용확인용), "for confirmation") to check for this, but it was not present on the form I filled in today. I'll be popping down to the Jongno police station tomorrow to get this confirmed and cleared up, and will update on how that goes. (I've read that they're well-versed in what's required for immigration, probably due to their close proximity to the US embassy.)

2) Otherwise, the form for applying for the certificate is straightforward and is in both English and Korean. There is a line with 3 boxes for stating the required scope of the certificate: check all 3 for criminal records, investigation records, and lapsed criminal sentences.

3) It may be a good idea to bring both your ARC and passport. I was asked to present both (although this may have had something to do with the photo on my ARC being almost unrecognisable as it has gradually faded and disappeared over the past 5 years).

4) The packet 3 instructions seem to be correct about the check taking less than 24 hours; mine was done while I waited today at a pretty central police station in Seoul. (I suppose it might take a little longer at a busier police station such as Jongno, though?)

[MC2001 2]

Hi! Filipino here living in Korea. I have been here for 4.5 years for study and now working in Seoul. Now in the process of obtaining my K1 visa. I only have NOA1 which I received last 10.15 and still waiting for NOA2 but I just want to know what stuff I need to get before the interview.

Just wanna ask what kind of certificate should I ask them to print for me and do I really have to get it translated? If so, where should I go and have it translated. Thank you in adavance !

[andrelee0101 0]

Hello. I just got approved yesterday and now I'm trying to gets things in hand for my interview.

I live in Seoul and I have been living here in Korea for almost 4 years.

I would just like to know what kind of police clearance I should obtain for my interview and do I need it to be translated as well?

I really don't know what to do. Thanks in advance and happy new year!