Police Clearance Requirement Reinstated for Foreign Nationals Applying for Dependent Residence Permits

Authorities have started enforcing an April 2014 law that requires Residence Permit applicants sponsoring dependents to obtain foreign police clearance for themselves for five years. Although this requirement was not enforced for the past nine months, the police in some locations have started requiring such documentation, according to an announcement by the Interior Ministry’s new Migration Directorate. 

Authorities normally request foreign police clearance from the principal applicant’s country of origin, but may also request clearance from the principal applicant’s country of last legal residence for the past five years. 

Additional Requirements for Dependents’ Residence Applications 

The announcement also states that dependents must submit biometric photos with their Dependent Residence Permit applications. Additionally, the announcement states that applicants who receive an application receipt notice will be automatically granted a 90-day extension of their Dependent Residence Permits. 

What This Means for Foreign Nationals 

Foreign nationals seeking Residence Permits for their dependents (including spouses and children) should be prepared to provide their foreign police clearance documents from their country of nationality and country of last legal residence. 

Both parents must provide their foreign police clearance documents when applying for Dependent Residence Permits for their children. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected]. 

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