Do I need police check for time spent backpacking?

[saragunn]

Hi there,

Me and my boyfriend are applying for the common-law visa and Im not sure how many police checks I need to submit. I have spent time backpacking Australia and New Zealand in the past. I spent more than 6 months in each country, does that mean I have to get police checks from there? Im thinking residing and backpacking are two different things but...maybe they're not?

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi there,

Me and my boyfriend are applying for the common-law visa and Im not sure how many police checks I need to submit. I have spent time backpacking Australia and New Zealand in the past. I spent more than 6 months in each country, does that mean I have to get police checks from there? Im thinking residing and backpacking are two different things but...maybe they're not?

If you spent 6 months in a country, you need a police check.

 

[DanSlh]

They are not.
You need the certificates.

 

[saragunn]

Ok, thanks for your help and letting me know!