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| Fingerprinting | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 21 2011, 05:54:32 PM (1,974 Views) | |
| aquathest | Jul 21 2011, 05:54:32 PM Post #1 |
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Piker
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Hi all! (First time poster) We are beginning the process of getting my partner's 801/820 visa, and looking into getting the FBI fingerprints sent off. However, Victoria Police won't do fingerprints at local police stations, and my partner called the fingerprinting service for Vic Police in Melbourne and they said their earliest appointment is September 27!! His current visa expires September 23. Aah! Anyone done the fingerprints themselves? Or suggest any other agencies in greater Melbourne that might be able to do fingerprinting? I've read on here people are sending their applications off without the FBI check as it takes so long. Thanks heaps! |
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| sheowahya | Jul 21 2011, 10:18:24 PM Post #2 |
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True Blue Mate
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Because of the proof of identity requirements, you aren't able to do fingerprints yourself. I think I remember hearing once that the US Embassy has FBI approved fingerprint facilities, perhaps someone here can confirm that, or a call to them directly. I know it would involve a trip to NSW, but I bet you could do better than September!! That's just CRAZY!! best of luck, Marilyn |
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My Timeline ========= Category 136 BN - Skilled Independent. Skills Assessment: Applied ICAA: 13May05 Approved as Accountant 2211-11: 26Feb07 Main Visa Application: Sent to ASPC: 12Mar07 VISA Approved: 07Nov07 Main move to Australia: 17Apr08 Citizenship Application: Applied: 17Apr12 Appointment: 7May12 | |
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| Cassidy | Jul 21 2011, 10:24:49 PM Post #3 |
Anklebiter
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Heya aquathest! Yes'um I have done the fingerprinting myself (they were the electric scans). I live in NSW so I didn't have a problem getting my fingerprints taken at a local police station. They didn't even charge me either! Flights are fairly cheap to Newcastle Airport (very close where I live) from Melbourne if you're seriously in a rush, and you'd have no problem getting them done there. However, you can lodge your application at any time without all the police and health checks, you just need your applications and proof of ID and passport photos to officially lodge your application, and then you can send in the rest of your document and evidence after. Anyone jump in if I missed something! If you're not going to include your health and/or police checks, you need to write a cover letter stating that you are in the process of obtaining those documents and say when you believe you will be able to send them in. Without that cover letter, they have every right to process your application and make a decision regarding your residency without those supporting documents. Hope that helps and good luck! Edited by Cassidy, Jul 21 2011, 10:27:09 PM.
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| TerritorianTori | Jul 22 2011, 10:55:23 AM Post #4 |
It couldn't happen here
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 to YDU!Cassidy is right - you can go ahead and file the application without the FBI check. Agreed about the cover letter, too. Let them know that you have an appointment with the VIC police for fingerprinting, and you'll submit the FBI check whenever it comes in. I had to do the same thing with my 2nd stage spousal app, and it was fine. The most important thing is to keep your partner legal in the country; once he files, he'll be granted an automatic bridging visa when his current one ends. I hadn't heard about the US Embassy doing fingerprinting, but that's certainly something to look into! Melbourne has a US Consulate as well. 
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 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| aquathest | Jul 22 2011, 09:00:50 PM Post #5 |
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Piker
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Thanks girls! I feel a lot more at ease now knowing we can apply without the FBI stuff. My partner has been stressing out majorly, worried he will have to go home because of stuff with the FBI taking way longer than expected, and the fingerprints being hard to obtain. His health exam is a week from Tuesday, so hopefully the results come back fairly quickly from that and we can send in the whole application, minus the FBI check. I've found a place through the Yellow Pages that will do fingerprinting. We were going to have a go at getting a stamp pad and rolling them ourselves at home, but now have this option. I will definitely also check in with the US Embassy in Melbourne, just out of interest. The fingerprinting with Vic Police in Melbourne cost over $135!! We will definitely take your advice and add the cover letter to let them know of anything still pending in our application. Thanks heaps!! - Kim |
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| Pothole | Jul 22 2011, 09:08:21 PM Post #6 |
True Blue Mate
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Hi Aquathest, The girls here give great information. But if we think outside the square there is a lot quicker solution. Go to your local Macca's scream blue murder that you object to mixture of lettuce with patties. Wait for the police to arrive. Be charged with public nuisance. Get finger printed and then apply under public information to be given a copy. All simple 
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Those Who Lose Dreaming are Lost. Aboriginal Proverb A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour Anon | |
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| sheowahya | Jul 22 2011, 10:44:35 PM Post #7 |
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True Blue Mate
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what an AWESOME idea!!! I wish I had thought of that when I was still in Florida |
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My Timeline ========= Category 136 BN - Skilled Independent. Skills Assessment: Applied ICAA: 13May05 Approved as Accountant 2211-11: 26Feb07 Main Visa Application: Sent to ASPC: 12Mar07 VISA Approved: 07Nov07 Main move to Australia: 17Apr08 Citizenship Application: Applied: 17Apr12 Appointment: 7May12 | |
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| aquathest | Jul 23 2011, 09:33:37 AM Post #8 |
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Piker
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LOL just might give that one a go! |
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| heluvsme | Jul 23 2011, 11:21:02 AM Post #9 |
Chinwagger
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Wow, when was this? We just went down to get the fingerprinting done the other day and were told it will cost us $45!!! Also, we were told that we had to have all the paperwork for the fingerprints ready to go in an addressed and postage paid envelope because they won't hand the fingerprints over to you, they have to mail them. I'd call the police station and get the lowdown so you don't waste a trip. 
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| Cassidy | Jul 23 2011, 06:54:13 PM Post #10 |
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Anklebiter
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This was in mid February at Nelson Bay. When I first called the sheriff said I would have to pay a fee, but they never actually charged me. I think it all depends on who is at the station and who takes your prints and the fact it was a small town station I'm sure made a difference. I didn't need to make an appointment either, it was a walk-in thing...but I had to come in twice because the first time there was some illegal drama going on where they had to go back on duty! I had my FBI application form filled out before I came, and whatever other papers there was (can't remember if there was one or two) and had a prepaid international express envelope addressed from me to the FBI. I never got a copy of my prints because like Heluvsme said, they will not let you have your prints. The rest was taken care of and mailed by the station. Calling first is definitely a wise idea! |
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| bethg01 | Aug 1 2011, 10:51:01 PM Post #11 |
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Piker
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Hi there, Aquathest! Would you mind telling me where you were able to get the fingerprints done (alternative to police)? I also live in Melbourne and face the same dilemma. Or if anyone else knows, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks, all!!Beth |
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| crapola | Aug 1 2011, 11:08:56 PM Post #12 |
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True Blue Mate
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$45!!! i'd kill to be able to be printed for $45!!! because i foolishly lived in the states for more than a year within the last 10 years, i have to be cleared by the fbi before i can register as a teacher. i called elizabeth cop shop in the outer northern 'burbs of adelaide, and was told its going to cost me.... ready for this.... $175!!!!!! i nearly freaking died. my exact words to the cop on the other end of the phone were: "hells bells, i'll have to go rob a bank to be able to pay that..." then i remembered i was talking to a cop, lol!!! |
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| aquathest | Aug 2 2011, 10:48:26 AM Post #13 |
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Piker
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Hi bethg01, We were going to go to this place called Scientific Document Services in Ringwood - not local at all to us but we needed something. Then I read the FBI form again and it says it needs to be signed by an official. I don't think the guy who runs his little forensics business is going to count as an official! I called the AFP yesterday and they're able to do it for $26, which is MUCH better than the $135+ the Vic Police want to do. AGain, appointments are an issue. They only do them between 10-11 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I was told to call back next Friday to see if there were any appointments coming up. So that is what we're going to do. HTH! |
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| bubbles | Aug 22 2011, 08:17:38 PM Post #14 |
True Blue Mate
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I had the same problem when I needed them done for a state check I called the local police station and they said they did them, I got there and they said they didn't do them They told me to go to the CBD and have them done and I told them I didn't drive and my partner worked a lot and guilted them into doing it with a sad face. When I went to have them done for a Federal check, same thing, they refused so I went home and called 3 different police stations until one of them told me they would do it Inconsistency in government actually worked to my advantage for once.
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| crapola | Aug 22 2011, 09:27:50 PM Post #15 |
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True Blue Mate
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i got mine done at elizabeth police station here in adelaide. ended up costing me $110. they did tell me to call the fed police as they do prints and for much less, so i did. well, due to overwhelming demand (so the cop on the phone said), they no longer do fingerprinting for the general public. i sent them off to the fbi last thursday... |
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| incognito | Aug 23 2011, 11:31:09 AM Post #16 |
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Chatterbox
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My husband just got his fingerprints done yesterday by VIC police (at Flinders Street location) and he only had to wait about 2 weeks for the appointment. These prints will be used by the AFP for a federal police check here though, so not sure if that is the difference? My husband has to wait about 10 days to get a receipt of some sort to send to the AFP. My husband found them to be very disorganised and somewhat clueless about the correct process at the police station, FWIW. |
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| ScoopsOahu | Sep 29 2011, 09:41:23 PM Post #17 |
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Piker
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 Aloha Guys and Gals, (please note, this is relevant for larger police stations, not too sure about the bush. (ie: CBD or larger suburbs) Check it out, the embassy does not do prints, and privacy laws restrict businesses from doing fingerprints, unlike in the states where you can get anything done.... trust me, when I moved here to Oz and dealt with the fingerprint dramas, I immediately had a business idea of opening up fingerprinting business offices in Perth, Mel, Brissy, Syd, etc just to help people like me that almost blew his brains out trying to get my visa done.........and if you are paying more than 42$ you are in the wrong place. The police stations in Australia do not do "rolled" ink fingerprinting... They use the liveScan system. It is a process that takes about 10 minute to complete. You will be charged 42.00 by the station at the reception before going into the back. There are a lot of rumours that the FBI ONLY accepts "ink" prints on the downloaded card from their website. This is not the case. The liveScan system is very accurate and even needlessly scans your palm and writers print (ridge of the hands). If you read the FAQ on the FBI site you will see: ***6. Can I use the fingerprint card I download from this site? Yes. The FBI will accept the downloaded paper fingerprint card only for the purpose of requesting an FBI Identification Record. If you go to a law enforcement agency or private fingerprinting agency to be fingerprinted, they may prefer to use a fingerprint card on standard card stock. You may use the fingerprint card provided by the printing agency. This applies for the liveScan results printed out on the special paper. *** read this carefully.. It sort of looks like they imply only their card may be used... but it's not.. They are saying that card was only made for records checks.... The Australian police WILL NOT release the prints into your custody, you must arrive with a pre-paid envelope addressed to the FBI records section (see the website for the current address FBI.gov) ALSO BRING 3 FORMS OF ID (passport,DL,medicare)!!!!!! Also if you do not have a fed-ex account I suggest you logon in the states, and open one up with a credit card. (Australia Fedex requires an ABN to open an account)... This is so you may put the Acct number on the FBI records check application form and they can Fedex it back to you. Otherwise you are at the mercy of US Mail.... The immigration process is pretty hectic, I married an Aussie woman and played the waiting game, its not fun, but if you are calm and patient it will happen with time. Edited by ScoopsOahu, Sep 29 2011, 09:44:20 PM.
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| crapola | Sep 29 2011, 09:50:33 PM Post #18 |
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True Blue Mate
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you should check your facts. police stations can charge what they like for fingerprinting, and here in south australia, it is $110. again, check your facts. i was given my prints (two copies in fact), and there was no pre-paid envelope involved. the feds here in south australia will not do printing for police clearances any more, and they are the ones who used to charge $42... |
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| TerritorianTori | Sep 30 2011, 11:49:24 AM Post #19 |
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It couldn't happen here
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ScoopsOahu ... best of luck with the waiting game! Your info is accurate for NSW, but it's a bit different in other states/territories. Where I live, there is no LiveScan, and it's standard to pay upwards of $100 at the police station.
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South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia Avatar by Sketch Shop Boys I don't do Facebook, sorry. | |
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| Sutter Creek | Oct 1 2011, 09:21:04 AM Post #20 |
Yacker
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Edited by Sutter Creek, Oct 20 2011, 05:50:56 PM.
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