Police clearance for non citizens

[dave500]

Hi all. Am hoping for a bit of advice. I worked, and was resident, in Singapore during 2009 and 2010. Towards the end of my work contract it was announced that the police were no longer issuing criminal clearance certificates (or whatever they are called) to non citizens. I didn't think too much about this at the time and hoped I wouldn't need it.

I am now back in the UK and find that I DO in fact need proof that I had a crime-free two years in Singapore. Do any non-citizens have experience of getting hold of one of these certificates since the rule change? I would appreciate any advice on how to obtain one.

Thanks!

[Yelp]

Wow. I had no idea about that. I suggest you have a ferret around the police website and maybe even give them a call (there is a relevant telephone number buried in there, I am sure). Last time I checked that sort of stuff was handled up in Ubi somewhere, possibly with the driving licence lot.

[The police web site]

This is what Singapore police say on their wrb site.  They suggest obtaining a statutory declaration as an alternative!


Application for Certificate of Clearance  
  Notification
    

NOTIFICATION
The Singapore Police Force has cease issuing the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) to non-Singapore Citizens with effect from 18 Oct 2010.

Should you require further assistance or clarification, please contact the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC)/Records Office at telephone numbers (+65) 64358409 or (+65) 64358410 between 8.30am and 5.30pm (local time) from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).


Certificate of Clearance (COC)/Records Office  
Telephone numbers:  (+65) 64358409
(+65) 64358410
between 8.30am and 5.30pm (local time) from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is CNCC?
The Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) is issued by the Criminal Investigation Department ( CID ) of the Singapore Police Force. The document certifies that the applicant does not have any criminal convictions in Singapore within a stipulated period of time. CNCCs were previously issued to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreigners who are above the age of 16 and have resided in Singapore for more than 6 months. CNCCs are requested for a variety of reasons, including applying for permanent residency rights in other countries. Note: With effect from 18 Oct 2010 , CNCC is renamed to Certificate of Clearance ( COC ).

Why is there a change in the policy for the CNCC?
Police are not obligated to issue CNCC but have done so as a form of international cooperation since other countries provide similar documents as well. However, this service does not form part of police’s core function. Further, following the recent differentiation approach between citizens and non-citizens in terms of benefits in the healthcare, medical and education sectors, a similar distinction was also drawn with regard to CNCC issuance policy. As such, CNCCs will only be issued to citizens henceforth. The policy change will affect only a small number and there are alternative mean such as applying for a Statutory Declaration through the Commissioners of Oath or qualified legal practitioners.

Where can I apply for a Statutory Declaration and how much does it cost?
You can refer to the Singapore Academy of Law website at ......
 a list of appointed Commissioners for Oaths. The fees of commissioners of oath are regulated by the Commissioners for Oaths Rules.

How can I inform the Requesting Authority about the change in the CNCC policy?
The change in the CNCC policy is broadcast in the Singapore Police Force website at [blanked by this board's system]

Who can I contact if I need further clarification or assistance?
You may speak with a COC officer at telephone numbers: (+65) 64358409 or (+65) 64358410. Operating hours are between 8.30am and 5.30pm (local time) from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Last updated: 2 Nov 2010

 
 

[dave500]

Thanks for the replies. Thought I would post an update which might be of interest to anyone needing clearance when they leave Singapore.

In short, I was unable to get a certificate. I called and emailed practically every possible channel I could think of and got little sense out of any of them. The police department which deals with the CNCC said I could appeal and, if successful, obtain a CNCC. However, the appeal process required me to have written confirmation from a central government department stating that I must have a CNCC. Having tried every government agency I could think of here in the UK, none were prepared to provide such a letter so my appeal stalled.

After several more conversations with the Dept for Education here in the UK (I am a teacher) they eventually found someone who told me that, as it has proven impossible to get a certificate of clearance from Singapore, they can waive the requirement to provide it and just rely on more detailed references from my employer there.

The thing that irritates me most about this whole affair is that Singapore relies on foreign teachers: a substantial percentage of teachers in state schools are from outside of the country and many of them will require a CNCC when they return to their native country. The Singapore government is happy to employ them but will not provide them with a certificate that many will need to find work afterwards.

As such, I wrote to my MP and pointed out that such a courtesy should be a simple matter of diplomatic reciprocity, particularly between two Commonwealth nations: if a Singaporean can obtain an equivalent certificate here then the Singaporean authorities should provide the same courtesy. My MP responded saying he had passed my letter to the foreign office who will look into it. I suspect that will be the end of it but we shall see.

So anyway, I would suggest to anyone involved in a career where police checks are a requirement, you do as someone suggested above and ensure you get a Statutory Declaration BEFORE you leave Singapore. Whether the next country you work in will accept it as an alternative to a police check is another matter because the problem is that it is NOT a police check.

[Also Needed For]

I think a Police Clearance Certificate is also needed when applying for residence in certain countries (the US, for instance).

[name]

I think a Police Clearance Certificate is also needed when applying for residence in certain countries (the US, for instance).

The use prisons are already full to bursting, that's why they don't want any more in the country.  In fact, they don't even have room for their own war criminals.

[Forum]

I think you should write to the Forum page of the Straits Times so that the authorities can review the policy.  It's ridiculous to associate issuance of a police clearance certificate as a "privilege" extended only to citizens.  It should be considered as an obligatory document that governments issue to ex-residents and work permit holders. We are operating in an international environment and the authorities should consider the needs of other citizens in compliance with their countries regulations.

[dave500]

I think you should write to the Forum page of the Straits Times so that the authorities can review the policy.  It's ridiculous to associate issuance of a police clearance certificate as a "privilege" extended only to citizens.  It should be considered as an obligatory document that governments issue to ex-residents and work permit holders. We are operating in an international environment and the authorities should consider the needs of other citizens in compliance with their countries regulations.

I couldn't have put it better myself.