Police Certificates (studies abroad)

[PR&PR 325]

Hello,

 

I am Canadian and my fiancé sent a petition in January for a K1-Visa. I am looking at the packet 3 requirements and they ask for police certificates from each country in which the applicant has resided for 6 months or longer since 16. As I went to study in Germany for a year, for an exchange program, does it mean I would need one from that country? My permanent address was still in Canada, that is why I am not 100% sure I need this for Germany. From my reading it seems really painful to get that from another country than the one you are living in.

 

Thank you,

PR

Edited March 29, 2017 by PR&PR

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Yes you need one from Germany.

 

It states so clearly about having stayed/lived anywhere as you said for more than 6 months.

 

That should have also been listed on your original G-325 form about places formally lived at, regardless if your "permanent" address was still in Canada, you physically were not there. (If it was in the last five years that is)

Edited March 29, 2017 by Ben&Zian

[A'n'L 735]

Yes, you'll need it. This is how to get it: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/GM.html

[PR&PR 325]

9 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

Yes you need one from Germany.

 

It states so clearly about having stayed/lived anywhere as you said for more than 6 months.

 

That should have also been listed on your original G-325 form about places formally lived at, regardless if your "permanent" address was still in Canada, you physically were not there. (If it was in the last five years that is)

It says resided and in French the residence is deeply linked to the permanent address. Being on a visa for study with an exchange university does not necessarily enter in the definition. Hence my uncertainty. I also travelled a lot and I did not have a permanent address through the whole time. I was in Germany from October to February, then I travelled for 3 months and then from May to July back in Germany and then I travelled for another month or so...

Edited March 29, 2017 by PR&PR

[PR&PR 325]

5 minutes ago, A'n'L said:

Yes, you'll need it. This is how to get it: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/GM.html

Thank you! Do you know where I can find the form?

Edited March 29, 2017 by PR&PR

[broppy 204]

Slightly better instructions from the German Embassy/Consular website http://www.canada.diplo.de/Vertretung/kanada/en/02/legalization/police__clearance.html or from the horse's mouth https://www.bundesjustizamt.de/EN/Topics/citizen_services/BZR/Resident_abroad/Resident_abroad_node.html

Edited March 29, 2017 by broppy

[swiss polar bear 20]

Hello

 

I have the same question. In 2006 I was in the US for 12 months with a J1 visa. Permanent address was always in Switzerland. Does that mean I have to get a police certificate from California for 2006? It's over ten years ago...

 

Many thanks for your advice.

[KierenHby 899]

6 minutes ago, swiss polar bear said:

Hello

 

I have the same question. In 2006 I was in the US for 12 months with a J1 visa. Permanent address was always in Switzerland. Does that mean I have to get a police certificate from California for 2006? It's over ten years ago...

 

Many thanks for your advice.

No. That's what your biometrics (fingerprints) are for. FBI does all checks. 

[PR&PR 325]

2 hours ago, swiss polar bear said:

Hello

 

I have the same question. In 2006 I was in the US for 12 months with a J1 visa. Permanent address was always in Switzerland. Does that mean I have to get a police certificate from California for 2006? It's over ten years ago...

 

Many thanks for your advice.

Well in my search for answers I stumbled across this site: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Supporting_documents.html

 

Maybe it can help, but I am still unsure about my case. In fact it says I would not need it (12 months), but another document (packet 3), mentions 6 months.

Either way, better safe than sorry and so I requested the German Police Certificate.

 

When I get a definite yes or no on if I needed it I will keep you all updated.