Police Check for St. Maarten Immigration

[USIMG2011]

I noticed on the website that they want a police certificate of good standing, is one from my state police department good enough? Or do I need something from the FBI? Since I have to bring this certificate as well as a round trip ticket, do we apply for the VISA when come to campus? I was planning to go to the island four weeks before class starts but not later than two weeks before the start of classes.

[stateofequilibrium]

From your local police is fine.

[McGillGrad]

Is the police check required to enter the country or is it for the school?

It takes the RCMP months to do a basic check due to backlog, so if a person were to have the police check sent after they arrived would that be a huge deal or is it absolutely necessary just to start school?

[DRDRWMD]

I used my local police department. I realized that anyone could go to the school, but I am sure there are more stringent rules when it comes time for medical licensure.

[TexSxm]

My husband sent his letter of good standing and mine in with all of his paper work. The school applied for our visa's for us and we got them during his second semester. However, some that started with him didn't get their visa's until their fifth semester. I am not even for sure if they still get spous's visas for them anymore, but you didn't ask that did you? My point is... We mailed the letters of good standing, they came from our local police stations. Here is a word to the wise... make a copy of every important document that you mail and or take with you,(Take copies of important documents with you keep in ziplock bag in safe place just in case the long shot hurricane hits you!) because odds are either AUC or St. Maarten Government is going to "misplace" something of importance! There that is your tip for the day!

[swimguy23]

letter of good standing or a "records check".....i got the latter from my police department and they looked at me strangely why I needed it.....

[avenuto]

Same here... even went about asking exactly why I needed it...

letter of good standing or a "records check".....i got the latter from my police department and they looked at me strangely why I needed it.....

[DRDRWMD]

Same here... even went about asking exactly why I needed it...I learned I have a relative working in the police records. Good thing I never did anything naughty in my parent's town. She said they get these records for "everything" whatever that means. Makes me proud to have "no convictions on file".

[slevit1]

It's a visa requirement. I'm pretty sure you need to turn it into them before you start school, but best bet is to check with MEAS....only they'd know for sure. My advisor was awfully persistent about getting it though.

[stateofequilibrium]

My university campus police did it for me within 10 minutes for free.

[DrShikima]

My university campus police did it for me within 10 minutes for free.

I'm surprised they didn't arrest you on the spot....

[Macgyver1]

I got a signed letter from the Sheriff of Charlotte when I asked. I think they didn't know what I needed. When my wife came down, she got a "Records Check" letter that worked too. When she went to the county office, they told her she didn't need a letter from the Sheriff, go get a records check letter.
I realize now why I waited for a week+ on mine, I think I went a little overkill getting a top govt. official check. :) :)

[slevit1]

My university campus police did it for me within 10 minutes for free.

My campus police were a bunch of douches. It took me about 3 days of calling people to find out I had to go to MD Criminal Justice Information Systems, pay a lot of money, sit around a disgusting office for about an hour, get fingerprinted, and then wait a week for a record to come in the mail.

All that just for a letter saying "No Crimincal History"

[swimguy23]

My campus police were a bunch of douches. It took me about 3 days of calling people to find out I had to go to MD Criminal Justice Information Systems, pay a lot of money, sit around a disgusting office for about an hour, get fingerprinted, and then wait a week for a record to come in the mail.

All that just for a letter saying "No Crimincal History"

mine was free haha

[DrShikima]

mine was free haha

I got mine free too. I just talked to the secretary of the sheriff and she asked what it was for, I told her it was for medical school in the caribbean and part of my visa to study there and she then said she would handle it. I got my letter in 3 days free of charge.

[stateofequilibrium]

I'm surprised they didn't arrest you on the spot....

They tried, but I threw donuts at them and they gave up the chase.

[DrShikima]

They tried, but I threw donuts at them and they gave up the chase.

Day old crullers?:(

[TexSxm]

I am cracking up at all these replies.... aaawwww the beauty of living in a small town where "everybody knows your name". I walked into the Sheriff's Department one afternoon after teaching and told them what I needed. The secretary led me back to the Sheriff's office, I told him what I need. The secretary ran the checks, printed the letters, while we chatted, he signed them and out the door I went. All for free! Growing up in small town USA in the South is GREAT! haha!

[swimguy23]

I am cracking up at all these replies.... aaawwww the beauty of living in a small town where "everybody knows your name". I walked into the Sheriff's Department one afternoon after teaching and told them what I needed. The secretary led me back to the Sheriff's office, I told him what I need. The secretary ran the checks, printed the letters, while we chatted, he signed them and out the door I went. All for free! Growing up in small town USA in the South is GREAT! haha!

haha you have a sheriff

[TexSxm]

haha you have a sheriff

The Texas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Constitution) Constitution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution) (Article 5, Section 23) provides for the election of a sheriff in each county. Currently, the term of office for Texas sheriffs is four years.
In Texas, sheriffs and their deputies are fully empowered peace officers with county-wide jurisdiction and thus, may legally exercise their authority in unincorporated and incorporated areas of a county; however, they primarily provide law enforcement services for only the unincorporated areas of a county, while yielding to municipal police or city marshals to provide law enforcement services for the incorporated areas.
The duties of a Texas sheriff generally include keeping the county jail, providing bailiffs for the county and district courts within his county and serving process issued therefrom, and providing general law enforcement services to residents.

So, Yes! We have Sheriffs in Texas! LoL
Not only do we have them, but we elect them!

[swimguy23]

The Texas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Constitution) Constitution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution) (Article 5, Section 23) provides for the election of a sheriff in each county. Currently, the term of office for Texas sheriffs is four years.
In Texas, sheriffs and their deputies are fully empowered peace officers with county-wide jurisdiction and thus, may legally exercise their authority in unincorporated and incorporated areas of a county; however, they primarily provide law enforcement services for only the unincorporated areas of a county, while yielding to municipal police or city marshals to provide law enforcement services for the incorporated areas.
The duties of a Texas sheriff generally include keeping the county jail, providing bailiffs for the county and district courts within his county and serving process issued therefrom, and providing general law enforcement services to residents.

So, Yes! We have Sheriffs in Texas! LoL
Not only do we have them, but we elect them!

do they wear big gold star with sheriff written across it on their chest? +5 points if they wear spurs

[TexSxm]

In some counties, there are still hitching post and hanging trees on the court house lawns! Just for prosperity, of course! ;)

[TheAlchemist]

walker, texas ranger is my neighbor in houston.

[Arkie]

walker, texas ranger is my neighbor in houston.

A true American hero.

http://ca.geocities.com/jboisclair@rogers.com/pr1034638.jpg

:marines: