2015-Mar 27: Best practice for recording police certificate details in AMS

Visa Pak 204 - Guidelines about best practice for recording police certificate details in AMS for any subsequent future application.

Visa Paks

27 March 2015

Best practice for recording police certificate details in AMS

A5.10(d) of Immigration Instructions outlines different situations where a police certificate may not be required with an application, provided an applicant has previously submitted a certificate with an earlier application.

It is therefore important that all details about police certificates included with visa applications are recorded clearly in AMS to enable an Immigration Officer (IO) to make an informed decision (for example, whether a new police certificate is required). This is particularly important in the case of temporary visa applications, as the potential impact on timeless in having to track down a previously submitted police certificate could be significant.

It should also be noted that, while A5.10(d) states that previously submitted police certificates CAN be accepted for further applications, under A5.10(c) they do not necessarily HAVE to be accepted. As per A5.10(c), because an applicant has provided a certificate previously that falls within A5.10(d) does not mean that an IO cannot request a further police certificate if they believe there is good reason to do so (for example, if someone has a recent conviction). It can be difficult for an IO to make an informed decision regarding this if they do not have sufficient details about the previously submitted police certificate.

It is important the following details are recorded in AMS for police certificates:

  • Date of issue
  • Country of issue
  • The outcome listed on the police certificate (if there are convictions then list these fully along with the sentence)
  • If the police certificate checks for convictions over a specific period of time only, ensure this is noted (for example, the certificate may only cover checks for convictions from 2002 – 2007).

Please ensure that all police certificate details are recorded in full.