General Overview
One of the requirement in the immigration related process is the necessity of submission of security clearances, a document which certifies that you have no criminal record. Police certificates or clearances from each country in which you and everyone in your family, ages 18 years or over, have resided six months or more since reaching 18 year of age.
Furthermore, in some countries such as United States, police certificates are required for each visa applicant aged 16 years or older. These certificates are required only if you are doing consular processing or other nonimmigrant visa such as K, and V.They are not required if you are doing Adjustment of Status (I-485) for changing status within the U.S.
Indonesian Police CertificatesMost countries, including Indonesia, issue police clearances. These clearances are sometimes referred to as "Certificate of Good Conduct" or "Certificates of No-Criminal Activity", while Indonesian Police referred to as "Surat Keterangan Catatan Kepolisian (Police Record)" and are usually valid for an average of 6 (six) months.
These certificates must be valid at the time of issuance of the visa or other immigration permit. If the police certificates expire before the visa is issued, the applicant will be required to obtain a new set of clearances.
Guidelines for Police CertificatesImmigration offices throughout the world usually impose imperative guidelines for applicants who require Police Certificates i.e.:
- A Police Certificate, or certificate of "no criminal record" is necessary for every applicant age 18 and older wo requires it;
- A police certificate is required from the country where the applicant currently lives, along wit all other countries where the applicant has resided in for 6 months or more since age 18;
- The police certificate should be issued by a national police agency where possible;
- All police certificates must have been issued within the last six months. Outdated police certificates will not be accepted;
- All police certificates must be originals. Photocopies will not be accepted;
- All police certificates must accompanied by an original translation prepared by accredited translator if they are in a language other than English.
Period of ValidityThe police clearance result of the country in which you are presently resident is generally considered to be valid for a period of 6 (six) months. The clearance results of countries in which you are no longer residing are generally considered to be valid for a period of 12 months.
When to Submit the Police Certificate?Some immigration offices may require that the documents be submitted at the same time as the application forms, applicable fees, and supporting documents. Other immigration offices may allow these documents to be submitted later on in the process. For accurate information, you should get informations from the immigration office where you will submit your application.
How many Police Certificates are required?The following police certificates are required based on where each applicant lives and has lived previously:
- If the applicant is living in their country of nationality at their current residence for more than 6 (six) months, and is 16 years old or older, then the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality;
- If the applicant lived in a different part of their country of nationality for more than 6 (six) months, and was 16 years or older at that time. Then the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality;
- If the applicant lived in a different country for more than 12 months and was 16 years or older at that time. Then the applicant needs a police certificate from the polic authorities of that locality;
- If the applicant was arrested for any reason, regardless of how long they lived there and was any age at that time, then the applicant needs a police certificate from the police authorities of that locality.
Supporting Documents for Obtaining Indonesian Police Certificates
In order to apply for an Indonesian police certificate, the applicant or his/her representative(s) must submit the following supporting documents;
- Copy of valid passport;
- Copy of Limited Stay Permit (so called KITAS);
- Copy of Work Permit;
- Copy of Police Alien Record (so called SKLD/Surat Keterangan Lapor Diri);
- Letter from their previous employer, other documents related to employment while in Indonesia or letter from the embassy if such letter is no longer possible to obtained (for the reason the company is already close-down, etc);
- Three colored photographs size 4 x 6 cm;
- A full set of finger-prints
The Indonesian police will not issue the certificates to applicants not in possession of KIMS/KITAS or SKLD. Applicant may authorize a third party to process the certificate from the local police in the city where they used to live.
Indonesian Police Certificate consist of the following personal information:
- Full Name;
- Place and Date of Birth;
- Nationality;
- Address during your stay in Indonesia. Therefore it is very important if you can provide them with the details;
- Occupation at present;
- Period during your stay in Indonesia;
- Finger prints formula. In the event that you are unable to appear at the precinct, you need to provide this information. It can be obtained from your local police;
- The Purpose of Police Clearance.
Therefore, in order to avoid hassles and lengthy process, it is very important that you provide your application with complete information.
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