marmaht said:
I have the same problem with my Vietnamese police clearance. According to the Embassy and the Vietnamese Government, I simply have to ask some members of my family to get it for me. The thing is non of my relatives have ever been to Vietnam... The only other solution would be for me to go there a firs time to ask for the paper, and then go back 2 months after to maybe get it. I definitely can't afford to fly there, especially twice, for a single paper...
Yikes, that's a tough one. You have 2 choices:
1) Find an agent, like a lawyer in Viet Nam (likely costs a lot, and seems risky to me) - see for example, the last post in this thread -
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/impossible-to-make-police-clearance-in-vietnam-t127002.0.html
2) Write a letter of explanation to CIC, how it is not possible for a non-citizen, non-resident of Viet Nam to get a PCC from that country . . . Document all your efforts to get one, provide as much proof as possible, and request an exemption in this case. Provide your addresses and proof of residing there (Eg. visas, residence cards).
I had a similar situation for two countries (but also provided several other PCCs), one of which was Cambodia - similar situation, but even less information. I actually did have a friend go and inquire on my behalf, but later he wrote telling me of his terrible experience, he was now a target of the thugs (police), and begging me not to ask him again.
So I had a log of phone calls, faxes, letters, and emails (most of which I received no reply), managed to get a letter from the Aus embassy in Phnom Penh stating that it wasn't possible to get the PCC except in person (I don't know how many people got in trouble on my behalf). Listed my work and residence addresses, photocopied all my IDs/travel/work documents for my time there; I submitted about 1 inch thick of documentation, and requested an exemption.
Not sure if it delayed my application, but it was approved. This actually happens to a lot of people.
For what it's worth - from the US State Dept - basically agrees you have to go in person, or have a representative apply in person -
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/VM.html#policerecords-6
For foreigners who formerly resided in Vietnam and no longer reside in Vietnam
Request for a "Justice Record Check #1" (Phieu Ly Lich Tu Phap So 1) must be made at the National Center of Criminal Records - Vietnamese Ministry of Justice in Hanoi. Contact information is as follows:
National Center of Criminal Records
Address: 58 - 60 Tran Phu Street, Ba Ðinh District, Hanoi.
Telephone: +84-4-62739718
Fax: 04.62739359
Email: cntt@moj.gov.vn
The processing fee to request this document is 200.000VND per applicant, and the record check takes approximately 10 working days to complete. If applicant cannot present himself/herself at the National Center of Criminal Records, he/she can grant authority to someone else to apply on his/her behalf as long as he/she provides a Letter of Attorney which is legalized/ authenticated by Vietnamese Consulate General or Vietnamese Embassy at the city of their current residence.
Applicant should be prepared to present two (2) sets of the following documents at the time of the request:
Completed application form (Form 03/TT-LLTP.) if applicant can apply in person, or completed application form (Form 04/TT-LLTP) if applicant cannot apply in person and authorizes someone else to apply on his/her behalf;
Applicant's passport;
Proof of residence location and length of time applicant resided in Vietnam, such as his/her old entry-exit permit detailing the length of time applicant resided in Vietnam, the permanent residence card, if any, or a residence certification from the local People's Committee of applicant's residence.
