When applying for a visa, many countries require a Criminal Background Check to ensure the reliability of the applicant. This also applies when taking up a new job that requires a certificate of conduct.
People who submit these applications often wonder how long it takes for the results of the Criminal Background Check to be available. In this article, we will compare the processing times in different countries, specifically for applications sent from the Netherlands.
If you need a Criminal Background Check from the United States for your visa application or employment screening, you can expect to receive the results fairly quickly. The process is carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and after receiving your fingerprint documents, they typically need 2 to 5 business days to provide your certificate. In rare cases, it may take a few extra days if they are experiencing a higher volume of applications.
For those needing a Certified Criminal Record Check from Canada for their visa application or employment screening, the processing time is approximately 3 weeks. These applications are handled by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). However, you cannot send your fingerprint documents directly to the RCMP from the Netherlands. Instead, you must contact an accredited agency in Canada that can digitize your fingerprints and forward them to the RCMP. The processing time at these agencies may vary as well.
If you require a National Police Check from Australia for your visa application or employment screening, the processing time is about 1 to 2 weeks. The applications are processed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Keep in mind that you will need to submit various documents, including fingerprint cards with your fingerprints and a 100-points checklist along with supporting evidence.
If you need an SAPS Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from South Africa for your visa application or employment screening, the processing time for this police clearance certificate largely depends on the method of application. If you apply on your own and have a family member or friend deliver and collect the documents from SAPS, the process can take weeks to months. However, if you engage an accredited agency, you can obtain this certificate much faster, ranging from approximately 10 working days to 8 weeks.
If you require a Certificate of Clearance (COC) from Singapore for your visa application or employment screening, you can expect a processing time of about 3 weeks. The COC will be sent to you by mail, so the exact time of receipt depends on postal services between Singapore and the Netherlands.
For those needing a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from the UAE for their visa application or employment screening and applying from a country other than the UAE, this application usually involves two steps. The first step includes taking your fingerprints and having the documents and passports legalized by a notary, court, ministry, and the UAE embassy. This step requires several days. The second step involves submitting the application to the Dubai police and sending these documents to Dubai. Typically, the Dubai Police will have your certificate ready after 1 working day, making the latter part of the process very quick.
For those needing a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from Qatar for their visa application or employment screening and applying from a country other than Qatar, this application also involves two steps. The first step is similar to that of the UAE, including taking your fingerprints and having the documents and passports legalized. The second step involves submitting the application to the Qatar police and sending these documents to Qatar. Generally, the Qatar Police will have your certificate ready after 1 working day, but this is only possible if you engage a company in Qatar to assist you; otherwise, the processing time may be longer before you receive the certificate.
When applying for a police clearance certificate from the Netherlands, it is essential to consider the processing time in the destination country. While the exact processing time may vary depending on the demand and workload of the respective authorities, Dutch applicants can generally expect the process to take between 2 working days to 12 weeks. It is advisable to start the application process early to avoid any delays. For specific and up-to-date information, it is recommended to directly contact the relevant authorities in the destination country.
