Country of citizenship
Always required, regardless of whether you lived there in the last 10 years. Check type varies by country.
Country-by-Country · 10-Year Lookback · Turnaround Times
Police checks are one of the most time-consuming parts of partner visa preparation.
Country-by-country police checks are coordinated by our partner team: Neha Sharma, Pragya Gautam, and Sourabh Aggarwal. Every 820/801 and 309/100 applicant needs them. The rules differ for every country you have lived in. Here is a practical guide to the most common countries our clients come from, with current turnaround times and how to order.
Core rule
Every country lived in 12 months+ in the last 10 years.
Both the applicant and the sponsor must provide police clearance certificates from every country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, from age 16 onwards.
Australia (AFP check)
Australian Federal Police National Police Check. Required for every partner visa applicant currently in Australia.
Every country resided 12+ months
Each country with 12+ months residence requires that country check. Even brief periods beyond 12 months count.
From age 16 onwards
Certificates span adult life. If you lived in a country as a teenager (16+), it counts.
Common countries and processes
Each country has specific steps.
The process varies widely by country. Turnaround times range from days (Australia) to months (some countries).
Australia (AFP)National Police Check online via AFP. 2-15 business days typical. Direct to Department option available.
India (PCC)Police Clearance Certificate via passport office in country, or consulate overseas. 2-8 weeks typical. Some complexity for applicants overseas.
United Kingdom (ACRO)ACRO Criminal Records Office online. 10-14 business days standard. Faster premium options available.
USA (FBI)FBI Identity History Summary. Online lodgement with fingerprints. 4-8 weeks typical. State-level checks sometimes additional.
New ZealandMinistry of Justice. Online. Usually returned within 20 working days.
CanadaCertified Criminal Record Check via RCMP. 1-4 weeks depending on method.
Philippines (NBI)NBI Clearance. Online or in-country. 1-2 weeks typical. Overseas processes slightly different.
NepalNepal Police clearance. In-country or consulate overseas. Timing varies.
Timing and validity
Plan around country turnarounds.
Police check validity and ordering timing are both important. Starting late causes delays.
Validity period
Most police checks valid for 12 months from issue date. Lodgement well within this window avoids re-ordering.
Order in parallel
Order checks from all relevant countries at the same time. Sequential ordering wastes weeks.
Long-turnaround countries
Some countries take 2-4 months. Start these earliest. Do not delay the Department application waiting for slow checks; explain delays in submissions.
Missing a single police check from a country you lived in can delay the whole application by weeks.
The Department issues an RFI asking for the missing check. You respond, and the processing clock pauses. Getting every check organised upfront reduces total processing time significantly.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For country-specific police check coordination, book with Neha Sharma.
Do I need a police check for a country I visited for tourism only?
No. Only countries where you lived 12+ months in the last 10 years. Short visits do not count.
What if my country of citizenship will not issue a police check?
Rare but possible. The Department has procedures for this situation. Documented explanation of inability to obtain, alternative evidence of conduct, and other measures apply.
Do I need a police check for my home country if I have not been there in 15 years?
Not if the 10-year lookback does not include time there. But country of citizenship rule may still require it depending on specifics.
Can I use a check that is close to expiry?
Lodge before expiry. If the check expires during processing, the Department may require a fresh one.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.