December 2013 Singapore COC Latest Forms & instructions

[nigelrock 1]

We applied For the COC Nov 1st,2013 after the interview. On Dec 4th and again on Dec 19th we emailed SPF asking for the status. We received a reply from SPF on Dec 31 ..... This was their reply:

On Tuesday, December 31, 2013 2:59 PM, SPF CID COC (SPF) <SPF_CID_COC@spf.gov.sg> wrote:

Ms Grace Benignos,

I refer to your enquiry on the application of the COC.

The Government Policy regarding ceasing issuing the Certificate of Clearance (COC) for non-Singapore Citizens remains the same since 18 October 2010.

However, in instances where the Migration Authorities have rejected the Statutory Declaration of an applicant and provided the applicant with an official letter bearing his/her name and file reference number from Migration Authorities requesting for a police clearance from Singapore, you may apply for the Certificate of Clearance (COC)

You will need to submit the following requirements for the application:

a) Complete the attached appeal and application form.

b) Full set of fingerprint impressions to be taken by the local police/or notary public in your country of residence.(original)

c) Submit a photocopy of your present valid passport – (bio page)

d) Photocopy of documentary proof to establish your period of stay in Singapore. (E.g. work permit identification card, testimonial letter from school or employer, arrival & departure endorsement in passport etc). Please state your duration of stay in Singapore. You must have a minimum continuous stay of 6 months in Singapore.

e) Photocopy of document from relevant consulate/immigration authority/government bodies bearing applicants name/file reference number to show proof that the certificate is required by such authority.

f) Two recent passport size photographs

g) A payment of $50/- SGD to be made payable to ‘HEAD CRIMINAL RECORDS, CID’ via bank draft or Singapore Bank cheque. Any bank draft is acceptable, if it is payable in Singapore through a Singapore local bank.

Processing time is about 15 working days for non-Singapore citizens. Applications are processed on receipt of complete applications.

If you are mailing your application, it is advisable to send all in one package.

Regards

Balbir Kaur (Mdm)

Criminal Records Office

Criminal Investigation Department

Singapore Police Force

As you can see Mdm Balbir did not even acknowledge that we had even applied for the COC. So now we have to apply all over again.

In addition she attached an application for the COC which was much different than the one we got from their website and also an application for waiver of the non-citizen rule.

Their is more to this horror story but I'll skip all the other horrid details. I will attach the new forms she sent us though.

If you can..... apply for the COC way way early.

Grace also had to have the dreaded sputum and because of that 2 month delay and this delay her medical certificate will expire and she will have to fly to Manila for another one.

Total time since NOA1 ... 1 year and 1 week So Far!!!!

Application form COC (foreigner) 12-31-2013.doc

COC APPEAL APPLICATION 12-31-2013.doc

[kitthekat 1,317]

Sorry to hear you had difficulties. Unless I'm missing something, the only difference I see between the form for Singapore citizens and foreigners is at the bottom of pg 3, where it says "period of stay in singapore (applicable to non-citizens only)".

Did you send in the appeal form in your initial application? If you didn't, that's probably why they didn't act on your application. If you did, the only thing I can think of is that somehow your application might have gotten misrouted or misplaced. The appeal form can also be downloaded from foreign affairs ministry websites, e.g. http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/overseasmission/canberra/consular_services/certificate_of_clearance.html.

Did you also include a letter from the embassy stating the reason why you need the COC? Since most applicants from the Philippines don't get packet 3 in the mail, I've read of some having to go down to USEM to request an official letter stating that US government requires the COC, and that a "statutory declaration" is not sufficient, to include in their application. Let me see if I can find the thread...here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/361360-singapore-police-clearance-for-k1-visa-in-philippines/?p=5312744 post #5.

Hope you get it all sorted out and best of luck.

[nigelrock 1]

Sorry to hear you had difficulties. Unless I'm missing something, the only difference I see between the form for Singapore citizens and foreigners is at the bottom of pg 3, where it says "period of stay in singapore (applicable to non-citizens only)".

Did you send in the appeal form in your initial application? If you didn't, that's probably why they didn't act on your application. If you did, the only thing I can think of is that somehow your application might have gotten misrouted or misplaced. The appeal form can also be downloaded from foreign affairs ministry websites, e.g. http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/overseasmission/canberra/consular_services/certificate_of_clearance.html.

Did you also include a letter from the embassy stating the reason why you need the COC? Since most applicants from the Philippines don't get packet 3 in the mail, I've read of some having to go down to USEM to request an official letter stating that US government requires the COC, and that a "statutory declaration" is not sufficient, to include in their application. Let me see if I can find the thread...here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/361360-singapore-police-clearance-for-k1-visa-in-philippines/?p=5312744 post #5.

Hope you get it all sorted out and best of luck.

Actually I needed to update this.

We finally got Grace's former Employer to go there in person and he was able to get them to find the COC. It had been misplaced and was dated Nov 21st. They immediately emailed me a copy and sent the original to the US Embassy Manila. That was on Jan 3,2014. Now we are rushing to see if we can prevent having to get another medical. What I had posted there was a copy of an earlier post I made at another topic.

Edited January 5, 2014 by nigelrock

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

~ Moved from K-1 Process to Asia:East & Pacific regional - topic about getting clearance from Singapore | Duplicate topic removed~

[nigelrock 1]

We applied For the COC Nov 1st,2013 after the interview. On Dec 4th and again on Dec 19th we emailed SPF asking for the status. We received a reply from SPF on Dec 31 ..... This was their reply:

On Tuesday, December 31, 2013 2:59 PM, SPF CID COC (SPF) <SPF_CID_COC@spf.gov.sg> wrote:

Ms Grace Benignos,

I refer to your enquiry on the application of the COC.

The Government Policy regarding ceasing issuing the Certificate of Clearance (COC) for non-Singapore Citizens remains the same since 18 October 2010.

However, in instances where the Migration Authorities have rejected the Statutory Declaration of an applicant and provided the applicant with an official letter bearing his/her name and file reference number from Migration Authorities requesting for a police clearance from Singapore, you may apply for the Certificate of Clearance (COC)

You will need to submit the following requirements for the application:

a) Complete the attached appeal and application form.

b) Full set of fingerprint impressions to be taken by the local police/or notary public in your country of residence.(original)

c) Submit a photocopy of your present valid passport – (bio page)

d) Photocopy of documentary proof to establish your period of stay in Singapore. (E.g. work permit identification card, testimonial letter from school or employer, arrival & departure endorsement in passport etc). Please state your duration of stay in Singapore. You must have a minimum continuous stay of 6 months in Singapore.

e) Photocopy of document from relevant consulate/immigration authority/government bodies bearing applicants name/file reference number to show proof that the certificate is required by such authority.

f) Two recent passport size photographs

g) A payment of $50/- SGD to be made payable to ‘HEAD CRIMINAL RECORDS, CID’ via bank draft or Singapore Bank cheque. Any bank draft is acceptable, if it is payable in Singapore through a Singapore local bank.

Processing time is about 15 working days for non-Singapore citizens. Applications are processed on receipt of complete applications.

If you are mailing your application, it is advisable to send all in one package.

Regards

Balbir Kaur (Mdm)

Criminal Records Office

Criminal Investigation Department

Singapore Police Force

As you can see Mdm Balbir did not even acknowledge that we had even applied for the COC. So now we have to apply all over again.

In addition she attached an application for the COC which was much different than the one we got from their website and also an application for waiver of the non-citizen rule.

Their is more to this horror story but I'll skip all the other horrid details. I will attach the new forms she sent us though.

If you can..... apply for the COC way way early.

Grace also had to have the dreaded sputum and because of that 2 month delay and this delay her medical certificate will expire and she will have to fly to Manila for another one.

Total time since NOA1 ... 1 year and 1 week So Far!!!!

Actually I needed to update this.

We finally got Grace's former Employer to go there in person and he was able to get them to find the COC. It had been misplaced and was dated Nov 21st. They immediately emailed me a copy and sent the original to the US Embassy Manila. That was on Jan 3,2014. Now we are rushing to see if we can prevent having to get another medical. What I had posted there was a copy of an earlier post I made at another topic.

[EndlessStory 53]

I sent mine beginning of December and have no issue with it. Its slow but it's getting there! I got my reference number from a number that I called before 12pm. Kittykat posted it on Singapore coc thread!

[Inyaki 0]

Can I just bring the letter to Singapore police force from USEM about my petition? I think its packet 3 or 4 indictating that my case is now ready for interview? Because I emailed USEM about requesting for letter to Singapore police force but until now I havent receive any reply. And I am planning to visit Singapore 3 day from now. I cannot personally visit USEM for now because I am based here in dubai.

[nigelrock 1]

I cannot say for sure because I don't what the documents say. What you have should be okay and it is good you bring it in person to Singapore. I think it would be to download the forms that I added to my post for COC and Waiver of non-citizen regulation. As soon as you get letter from embassy email scan of it and send regular mail too. If you go in person, go before 12pm.

Good luck and make sure you fill out forms completely and neatly.

Mark

Edited January 6, 2014 by nigelrock

[Inyaki 0]

I've been calling USEM but I cannot go through theyre so busy. One of the VJ member here posted the sample requst letter and can be edit. Is it too risky? Eventhough i already have my case #?

[nigelrock 1]

I would not advise you submit anything that is fake. Could be be problem for you later. Just take what you have that say's it is required until you get letter.

[Inyaki 0]

Yes! Precisely a wrong thought. If I dont get the letter from USEM until wednesday i will just bring the letters I have from USEM with my name and case number on it. Thank you nigelrock! All the best!

[EndlessStory 53]

I printed a copy of packet 3 from another thread of Malaysia's packet 3 and have no issue with it. It does not have name on it. It's the original packet 3 with the police certificate highlighted in yellow. I attached that with my Singapore COC form and appeal lettter

[nigelrock 1]

Singapore now has a form for the appeal and their COC form is a little different too.

I attached and you can download on my original post

[nigelrock 1]

Application form COC (foreigner) 12-31-2013.docCOC APPEAL APPLICATION 12-31-2013.doc

[kitthekat 1,317]

Singapore now has a form for the appeal and their COC form is a little different too.

I attached and you can download on my original post

They have had a form for appeal for a number of years now. The appeal forms can be found on most foreign affairs ministry websites (for Singapore consulates/embassies). It's a little odd that they don't have it on the SPF website but I think it has to do with their general policy of discouraging foreigners from applying for the COC, except when needed.

It is also fine for foreigners to use the application form on the SPF website, which is where you will find the most updated forms, as long as you also indicate in your email/application the dates you entered and departed Singapore, and the purpose of your stay (e.g. dependent's pass, permanent resident, etc).