Buzzinabout

Hi Guys, just wondering if I have to show any character references or Police Background Check paperwork at the US Embassy for a H1B visa interview.

TY.

SarahG

My husband didn't have to have a background/police check when he had his H1b visa application processed or interview.

civilservant

Seriously? Not even an ACRO report? I didn't know that, and it surprises me.

SarahG

Nope not as far as I'm aware. He would probably have asked me about it as I had contacts in the police through my work. All he had to show was proff of identity & qualifications. Not a lot of information really.

henryh

Only if you have a criminal record.

hungryhorace

Just to be clear: you can still be required to obtain an ACRO Police Certificate for US immigration purposes and have NO criminal 'record'.

jxv73

For non-immigrant visas*, they generally only want police reports if you have a crimnal record (answered yes to this question on the DS-160) . If they suspect something after running your name through the various background checks they may still want a report.
*Except K-1, which is nonimmigrant but processed using the immigrant visa procedures.

hungryhorace

Sorry, but this is just plainly false. Being arrested or charged with a criminal offence that does not result in a criminal conviction does NOT mean you have a 'criminal record' according to UK law.

jxv73

What I was trying to say was, you do not need to bring in a police report for a non-immigrant visa interview, unless you answered yes to one of the questions in the "security and background information" section of the DS-160asking about crimes and offenses.

hungryhorace

Don't worry, I know what you meant, I just want people who read that advice to think that they have a 'criminal record' simply by virtue of having answered 'yes' to the relevant question on the DS-160.

Buzzinabout

So I guess that means I will then?? As I was arrested and released without charge (no convictions) last year.

hungryhorace

Correct. You MUST answer yes to this question, regardless of the outcome of the arrest.

Secondly, you should obtain a copy of your ACRO Police Certificate and request a SAR (Subject Access Request) against your name from the local police force who dealt with you.

The ACRO certificate is required by the USC, the SAR is not. However, it is worthwhile to obtain the SAR for two reasons:

1. What you think may exist on the police database, may not actually be what does. This gives you the chance to correct any wrong information held about you.

2. Obtaining a SAR shows due diligence to the CO that you have obtained all papers relating to the arrest. IF there is a record of your arrest, then it should reflect that no further action was taken.

Good luck, you'll be fine.

Buzzinabout

Just taking a look here:

http://acro.police.uk/uploadedFiles/...ust%202013.pdf

It seems record of arrest isn't listed! Where do I get the application form from, do local police stations have it? I was arrested many miles from my home location.

materialcontroller

You have to apply for SAR's direct with the police service involved. Have you thought of using Google to search for the information?

hungryhorace

http://bit.ly/122BRdZ