twinmum

My husband and I are in the process of filling in our skilled worker forms and are getting a little worried by the police checks. We have both lived in several other countries and wonder how long it is going to take to get all of the police checks sorted out. We lived in Nigeria for a while and can't imagine the authorities there rushing to fill out any forms for us (without a hefty bribe!) and both lived in Germany whilst working for the Britsh Forces so don't speak German to be able to check on the process over there. My husband also did some voluntary work in Ghana 12 years ago, he was considering calling it "gap year travel" so that he wouldn't need to arrange a police check for there.

Do they really dig deep into your past? I can't imagine how on earth we are going to get all of our old addresses since the age of 18! Help!

Andrew Miller

Yes, you need to get all those police certificates. If you don't get them now prior to application then you will face lengthy delays in the process later.

Don't even think about any "gap year travel" or any other misrepresentation - lying, omitting information and/or misrepresentation are offences and will make you inadmissible to Canada at least.

JAJ

If they have no contacts in places like Nigeria or Ghana it may be simply impossible to get a police check from these countries. You're right they should start the process now and follow it as best they can, but in the end they may have to ask CIC to waive the requirement.

This may not be simple and perhaps they should hire a good lawyer?




Jeremy

Andrew Miller

They cannot just simply state that they cannot obtain pc from any particular country. They will have to provide evidence showing their effort and proving that it is impossible to get it.

JAJ

They can prove they wrote to whatever office they are supposed to write to, but how can they prove they received no reply?




Jeremy

PMM

Hi

IF they follow the instructions contained: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/police-cert/index.html then they would have evidence that they applied, ie copy of payment.

PMM

JAJ

But if the country concerned doesn't respond?

Many countries won't issue police clearances if you are not a citizen or resident - despite what the 'official' instructions say.



Jeremy

Andrew Miller

They don't need to have contacts there - if they don't have anyone there to assist them then what is the problem with contacting consulates of countries in question or proper authorities there?

If there is a will there is a way - at least most of the time.

In the case of both countries in question procedure is quite simple as explained on CIC page mentioned by PMM. Seems that OP didn't even bother reading instructions on CIC site.

JAJ

Because the consulates of some countries won't respond to requests from foreigners, maybe?

Same problem exists for Australia - they publish instructions for certain countries about getting police checks, but in practise these instructions are totally unrealistic if one is not a citizen/resident of such country (ie that country doesn't respond to requests from foreigners) and there's a whole load of hassle involved in getting the police check requirement waived.

Regarding the two mentioned here, the OP's may or may not be lucky and get police checks issued (for Ghana/Nigeria) without too much hassle by following instructions. But there is absolutely no guarantee that following CIC instructions will produce a police check.

Getting a German police check is usually not too much of a problem and if they need help with the language, it ought not to cost too much to find a translator to assist. If they have been in the British Forces, it wouldn't hurt to get a UK military police clearance too.

Jeremy

frankieforehead

The German Certificate is simple to get...Look at the web site German embassy in Bonn...You can download the paperwork, but you have to have it notorised, send off the cheque, or money order, and it should be in your hands within 10 days.....don't know about the other countries you've lived in...maybe you could contact the relevant embassy's in your country of origin.

twinmum

Yes, the OP did bother to read the instructions on the CIC website but official protocol does not mean anything to a West African. I thought that this discussion forum was about getting advice from REAL people who have REAL experiences about dealing with awkward situations. And the extra advice is actually very helpful so thank you.