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What is the meaning of 'validity of at least 3 months' for the NonImm O-A Visa criminal record clearance?

May 7, 2019
7 years ago
Howard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am applying in UK for a NonImm O-A Visa. It states the following:

‘Certificate of criminal record clearance from own country and country of permanent residence with validity of at least 3 months. Applicants residing in the United Kingdom will need to have a police clearance issued only from here’

What does validity of at least 3 months mean? I hope to apply online for my visa in 3 months as I have to wait for my funds to be seasoned, at what stage can I apply for my Certificate of criminal record clearance so that’s it’s valid?

Thank you🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The validity of at least 3 months for the criminal record clearance means that the certificate must be dated no more than 3 months prior to the visa application. It's important not to obtain the certificate too early, as it might expire before your application. You can apply for the certificate ahead of time, but ensure that it arrives shortly before your visa application, preferably when you are ready to submit all required documents.
Martin *********
when I applied for mine .. all the embassy are saying , when you apply and submit your criminal record check make sure it’s not dated longer than 3 months ago if you were applying today for example .
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Howard ********
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@Martin ********
thank you for your advice, if I go with seasoned funds (in 3 months time) I’ll wait but if the Embassy will except my income (I’ll email them 1st) I’ll start to do my criminal check now, thanks again🙏
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James *******
I got mine few weeks ago. I didn’t season any funds. My regular income sufficed. Make sure your bank statements are stamped at the issuing branch.
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Howard ********
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@Terry *********
thank you 🙏
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Terry **********
It says this on the Royal Embassy site. Also, as of 15 June it talks about applying via E-Visa. It does list OA as available, but a little sketchy on whether you have to.

"Note:

- Please submit the originals of bank statement, criminal record check, and medical record, as well as one photocopy of each document. In case that an applicant could not submit the original documents, the Embassy will accept the photocopies which have been certified by a Notary Public officer or Solicitors.

- The consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary."
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Howard ********
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@James ******
thank you, this is an option now as I realise my income per month exceeds the minimum required. It just says the name of a company that inputs the money on my bank statement, do I just require the last 6 months statements to send to London Thai Embassy (also you mentioned you got them stamped?)🙏
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Terry **********
@Adrian *****
I had them done in 2014, but it does say that if the docs are copies, you need it done now on the London Thai Embassy site.
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Adrian ******
@Terry *********
they used to be yes. There is a link on there web sight to Ashton Solicitors & they were charging £10 per sheet
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Terry **********
@James ******
Thanks fella.
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James *******
@Terry *********
I didn’t get anything signed. But I did get the doctors cert stamped at the surgery, seems they like a stamp.
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Terry **********
@James ******
Doing mine in August when back. Do they still need to be signed by solicitor or notary?
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Terry **********
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Terry **********
When I first applied in 2014, I got mine (was ACPO then) one week before my visa. That was fine and I think Tod's advice is perfect.
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Howard ********
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@Terry *********
thank you for your advice, totally understand now🙏
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Adrian ******
As Tod said above it needs to be less than 3 months old to be valid. I did mine a month after I got it
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Howard ********
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@Adrian *****
thank you, I understand now, thanks for your advice🙏
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Tod *********
Looks like their report doesn't have a validity date on it SO that means the consulate wants one dated NOT MORE than 3 months before you apply so don't get it too soon..

The place has options to get it to you quickly by post in the FAQ's

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Howard ********
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@Bernd **********
thank you🙏
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Howard ********
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@Adrian *****
thank you so much, I’m going to my bank this week so will transfer to regular a/c if I intent to go down the seasoned funds route (I can’t wait to get back to the LOS so hopefully they’ll accept my income)😂
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Bernd ***********
@Howard *******
für me, in Germany, the Thai embassy was happy only to see a confirmation of my monthly income. They are not interested were or which bank I put it in. Ask them if that is also ok for them.
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Adrian ******
@Howard *******
if applying in London money needs to be in a regular account. I made mistake of having in savings account sent me away to local bank transferred to other account got printed statement stamped at bank 20 minutes later back at embassy & accepted. But I do believe it now needs to be in for a set time as you say seasoned but unsure
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Howard ********
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@Tod ********
thank you again Tod, I’ll start to get everything ready then apply nearer the time, once funds have seasoned for 3 months. But I have a regular income of over the Embassy’s minimum per month so may not need to season my money, in which case I can apply sooner.

Thank you again for your great advice and help🙏
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Tod *********
they list a link where you apply for the criminal background check

What does it say on that site?
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Howard ********
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@Tod ********
ok thank you yet again for your advice🙏
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Tod *********
@Howard *******
then go to the site, see how long they say it takes to get the report back apply for it so you get it when you are ready to apply for the O-A ..
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Howard ********
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@Tod ********
all it says it has to have ‘validity of at least 3 months’

I know I’m a bit thick but don’t understand what it means
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Tod *********
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