Police certificates for DOS

[mgsctravels 24]

I know typically you need a police certificate from every country that you're a national or resident of for over 6 months; and over 12 months for past countries of residence.

I have lived in Canada my entire adult life. I left Hong Kong when I was a child. Would I still need a police certificate from Hong Kong, even if I left as a child? It's not very clear.

I was under the impression that they only care about countries in which I have lived since I was 16 and up.

Thanks in advance.

[powerpuff 6,744]

15 minutes ago, mgsctravels said:

I was under the impression that they only care about countries in which I have lived since I was 16 and up.

This is correct.

[Mike E 11,741]

12 minutes ago, mgsctravels said:

Would I still need a police certificate from Hong Kong, even if I left as a child?

DoS seems to be free to violate its own rules all the time. I’ve seen DoS demand police reports of people who left their country as children.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/HongKong.html

 

 

 

 

[Lil bear 4,261]

14 minutes ago, mgsctravels said:

I know typically you need a police certificate from every country that you're a national or resident of for over 6 months; and over 12 months for past countries of residence.

I have lived in Canada my entire adult life. I left Hong Kong when I was a child. Would I still need a police certificate from Hong Kong, even if I left as a child? It's not very clear.

I was under the impression that they only care about countries in which I have lived since I was 16 and up.

Thanks in advance.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-5-collect-financial-evidence-and-other-supporting-documents/step-7-collect-civil-documents.html
 

NVC instructions are very clear and precise. From what you have told us .. unless you have an arrest etc history from when you were under 16, the only police check you need is from Canada. Always go to the direct official source.. being “ under the impression” is never a wise thing. 

[Chancy 6,243]

21 hours ago, mgsctravels said:

I left Hong Kong when I was a child. Would I still need a police certificate from Hong Kong, even if I left as a child? It's not very clear.

 

Are you a Hong Kong national?  Did you live in Hong Kong for at least 6 months and 1 day at any time of your life, even as a child?  If yes to both, then you need to present a police certificate from Hong Kong.

 

 

Note that the above requirement only applies to applicants who are 16 years old and above at the time of the visa interview.  Child applicants (below 16 years old) from Hong Kong do not need to present any police certificates at all, even if they lived in Hong Kong their entire life.  Also, if you have been a Canadian citizen your whole life and never a Hong Kong national, you do not need a Hong Kong police certificate even if you lived in Hong Kong until you were 15 years and 11 months old.

 

Edited September 19, 2023 by Chancy
clarification

[mgsctravels 24]

31 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

Are you a Hong Kong national?  Did you live in Hong Kong for at least 6 months and 1 day at any time of your life, even as a child?  If yes to both, then you need to present a police certificate from Hong Kong.

 

 

Note that the above requirement only applies to applicants who are 16 years old and above at the time of the visa interview.  Child applicants (below 16 years old) from Hong Kong do not need to present any police certificates at all, even if they lived in Hong Kong their entire life.  Also, if you have been a Canadian citizen your whole life and never a Hong Kong national, you do not need a Hong Kong police certificate even if you lived in Hong Kong until you were 15 years and 11 months old.

 

So if I was born there, would that make me a national by default?

[OldUser 7,004]

On 9/19/2023 at 1:22 PM, mgsctravels said:

So if I was born there, would that make me a national by default?

Depends on Hong Kong's laws

[PeaceBridge 2]

Hi, I came from HK and has been living in Canada for the last 30 years. Just completed my visa journey last month so I can offer you the accurate and most update info:

 

Do you need a police cert from Hong Kong?

Read the NVC guidelines. So clear and no grey area. No guesswork needed. (BTW, the above "country of nationality" means Hong Kong before you left, disregard your nationality back then)

 

How to know 100% for sure you don't need one?

After your submitted "civil documents" are accepted, the Canadian (RCMP) police cert included, NVC will make a remark by the side of your uploaded Canadian police cert reminding you to obtain also the Hong Kong police certificate IF they need one. If there is no such remark, you absolutely sure don't need one.

(You never need to, or can, submit a Hong Kong Police Cert at the application stage. Why? See below)

 

Some facts about Hong Kong police certificate:

- One can only apply for the Hong Kong police certificate when you have the invitation letter for visa interview from the Montreal Consulate. This is one of the few MUST HAVE docs to apply.

- Applying is a breeze. All you need is to fill in a couple of real simple forms, a copy (no originals needed) of your HK identity (HKID card or birth certificate), set of certified fingerprints, a fee of HK$240.

- Hong Kong people living overseas (myself included) can complete the application all by mail, forms are all downloadable online.

- Actual issuing time of the certificate is about 2 weeks time.

- You will never see or have copy of the issued certificate. It will be sent to the Montreal Consulate directly.

 

Conclusions

- If you left Hong Kong before you turned 16, and never went back living there, you don't need one.

- Even if you need one, it is not an immediate issue. It can only be done at the next stage (when you have an interview invitation), and can easily be obtained. And you will have ample time to get it.

 

I wish it answers your question. Relax.

 

My visa interview prep works benefited tremendously by reading other VJers' input. I decided to give back here.