How To Apply for Visa Police Clearances

Depending on the Australian visa which you are applying for, you may be required to provide police clearances to demonstrate that you are of good character. This is otherwise referred to as the 'character test' and is described in law here.

Importantly, applicants over the age of 16 may be required to provide a police clearance from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more (cumulatively) within the last 10 years (including Australia). For example, if you lived in Italy for 3 months between 2013-2014, and then another 9 months between 2015-2016, then you would have lived in Italy cumulatively for 12 months and be required to provide a police clearance from that  country.

Accordingly, please see below for a step-by-step breakdown on how to obtain police clearances from each respective country.

Step 1: Visit the DIBP Website

In order to determine the steps involved for each respective country, first click on this link. 

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Step 2: Locate The Specific Country

You will then need to scroll down and locate the country you are intending to apply for a police clearance from. In the example below, we are looking for 'Italy'.

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Step 3: Police Check Sub-Section

You then need to scroll down to the sub-section titlted 'Police Check'. Click on this to expand that section.

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Step 4: Read and Follow the Instructions

The sub-section will contain the process involved in obtaining the police clearance from that specific country. Keep in mind that each country will have different processes, so please read carefully!

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Australian Police Clearances

If you have been in Australia for longer than 12 months (at the time that your visa is eventually assessed by the DIBP), then you may also be required to provide an AFP National Police Check.

​To arrange this clearance, you can apply online here. 

Please note the following:

1. Fingerprints are not required
2. The type of clearance you are required to obtain is a full/complete disclosure document
3. It must contain all your current and previously known names (i.e maiden names)
4. If requested to provide a code, you should select '33'

If you require the representation of a Migration Lawyer in Brisbane today, then get in contact on 1300 644 788 or send your enquiry here.

Also, click here for more informative blogs by our Immigration Lawyers.

Otherwise you can find us at the following address:

Salvo Migration
320 Adelaide St
Brisbane QLD 4000
https://goo.gl/Bao5ma  

Originally Published here: How To Apply for Visa Police Clearances