The words "if you have returned to the country" seem to say you won't need one.
If they do ask, you can explain the problems, as others have done in the past, and probably won't need one, if you haven't been there again.
Partner Visa 820 Sponsor Police Clearance Certificate
Hoping someone can help me understand the police clearance certificate situation better.
I was born in South Africa, and moved to Australia in 2015 (8~) years ago. I completed a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa in 2015 and have never returned to the country. The Visa Sponsor Application page specifies "For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date." but on the more info page of home affairs it clarifies "We may ask you to provide a new police certificate if you have returned to the country after your previous certificate has expired."
Do I need to obtain a "new" police certificate from South Africa (which would be absolute hell to do...)?
I have never returned to South Africa since I obtained my 2015 police clearance so it's literally impossible for me to have attained a criminal record there in this time.
Thank you.
I was born in South Africa, and moved to Australia in 2015 (8~) years ago. I completed a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa in 2015 and have never returned to the country. The Visa Sponsor Application page specifies "For immigration purposes, police certificates are valid for 12 months from the issue date." but on the more info page of home affairs it clarifies "We may ask you to provide a new police certificate if you have returned to the country after your previous certificate has expired."
Do I need to obtain a "new" police certificate from South Africa (which would be absolute hell to do...)?
I have never returned to South Africa since I obtained my 2015 police clearance so it's literally impossible for me to have attained a criminal record there in this time.
Thank you.
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If they do ask, you can explain the problems, as others have done in the past, and probably won't need one, if you haven't been there again.
You'll need a new one... the comment about t expiring is I think if your application takes longer then 12 months the cert might expire and they'll ask for a new one... I had to get a new one as well because I submitted an old one I already had (from Austria)... I obtained it through the local embassy here in OZ... would that be an option for South Africa as well?
You'll need a new one... the comment about t expiring is I think if your application takes longer then 12 months the cert might expire and they'll ask for a new one... I had to get a new one as well because I submitted an old one I already had (from Austria)... I obtained it through the local embassy here in OZ... would that be an option for South Africa as well?
Thank you for the detailed reply!
Unfortunately it's not so easy for South Africa because there's only one embassy here and it's in Perth, and they don't even help process police certificates.. it's a really annoying and complex process but Ill do it since it sounds like it's necessary..
On that note, you submitted the expired one first and then they gave you an opportunity to get a new one? I'm happy to get a new one but it'll take a long time to obtain it so I'm wondering if they'd be ok with me just posting my intention to obtain a new one in the mean time?
Thanks for your help btw! I know you're not an agent but I appreciate your advice based on your own experience
There is no SA embassy in Australia.
Try this for the SA High Commission:
Try this for the SA High Commission:
| Telephone: | +61 2 6272 7300 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
There is no SA embassy in Australia.
Try this for the SA High Commission:
Telephone: +61 2 6272 7300 Email: [email protected]
Thank you.
From my understanding I have to use a third party company and ship my fingerprints and a certified scan of my passport to them. I don't mind doing this other than the fact that I don't feel particularly safe sending my passport scan to a random person I don't know..
Also do you know if the sponsor is required to upload the police check immediately upon application? Its going to take a while before I can receive the new police check.
Thank you
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