DS-160 Question: Is a Police Clearance required for someone who stayed 6+ months on a student visa in a country other than their home country?

[rhgrotsky 0]

While filling out the DS-160, we came across a question asking to provide a police clearance for any countries that you have resided in for six or more months other than you home country from the age of 16 and older. My Fiancée 5 years ago had a student visa in Australia and she had stayed there for about a year and a half then went back to the Philippines after completing her degree. Is a police clearance need for a person who stayed in a country for more then six month, but under a student visa? I would think she does not need one because she is not a permanent resident and was only there under a student visa to finish her studies. Could someone advise as we are confused if she still needs one. At the k-1 Interview will they require the police clearance from Australia from her?  

[TNJ17 1,329]

Yes. I don’t understand how this question is asked over and over again on this website. It’s pretty clear when they say that a police certificate is required for everyone from every country they’ve stayed at for more than 6 months over the age of 16. It doesn’t matter if she lived there illegally or whatever visa she had. USCIS does not specify that because it’s pretty clear that it doesn’t matter. 

[NovaDC 270]

She’ll definitely need a police clearance from Australia, even if she was there as a student

[NovaDC 270]

Just now, TNJ17 said:

Yes. I don’t understand how this question is asked over and over again on this website. It’s pretty clear when they say that a police certificate is required for everyone from every country they’ve stayed at for more than 6 months over the age of 16. It doesn’t matter if she lived there illegally or whatever visa she had. USCIS does not specify that because it’s pretty clear that it doesn’t matter. 

Exactly 😅. It’s clearly written there.

[rhgrotsky 0]

thank you everyone. we will request one.