Singapore Police COC (from overseas -Timeframe) [Jan 2019]

[Kals123]

Just got my Singapore COC while residing outside Singapore (in a South Asian country). So writing this short article for anyone planning to do the same.

I stayed in Singapore btw 2008-2013. And I applied for the COC from outside Singapore. Here is a step-by-step.

You do not need to provide COC as part of your application.
Yes ! You submit your express entry application, and then afterwards IRCC will issue you with the Singapore COC request letter which you will then submit as part of your SG COC application package. I was issued issued with the request letter 2 months 10 days after the submission of my application.

Be prompt when you receive the request letter.
You will be given 60 days to get the whole job done. Getting COC while residing overseas is a hassle. If the request letter has been issued by the High Commission of Canada then you have 30 days !

First you appeal
In my case, my appeal was accepted within 24 hours (however on the SPF website it says the following: >>"You will be notified of the appeal outcome within 5 working days."<<). You will need (i) scan of your passport size photo, (ii) scan of your Singapore ID card, (iii) IRCC/ High Commission request letter, (iv) scan of your passport, (v) plus any supporting letter - in my case I attached a letter of degree conferment from the Singapore university which I attended to make my application stronger.

Then you apply
After the successful appeal, now you can apply. After you apply, in my case I was sent with a fingerprint request letter within 36 hours by email.

The fingerprint business
For those residing outside Singapore
Bear in mind that there is a format for fingerprint (with the title INDUSTRIAL IDENTIFICATION). At the time of writing this thread, the form/format can be downloaded online from:
https://www.police.gov.sg/~/media/coc_sample_of_fingerprints.pdf
https://www.police.gov.sg/~/media/spf/files/e-services/form_coc_sg.pdf
https://www.police.gov.sg/sgsecure/~/media/coc_fingerprint_form.pdf?la=en
If the link is broken good luck with your search. The SPF is good with the email, email them and ask them to tell you the format of fingerprint. They tend to reply within 3-5 days for straightforward non-annoying emails.

Authorized centre: These include police station in your home country, commissioner of oath, justice of peace, notary public. If you are residing overseas please get your fingerprint at one of these centres only with relevant stamps/ signature of the centre.

Courier/ Post your fingerprint
Send your fingerprint along with a letter which will be emailed to you. Alternatively the receipt of your payment can also be attached. Bear in mind that the information on website is not always promptly updated. You need to be careful with courier/ postal service - it would be suicide if you choose a snail-pace postal service.
I sent by speedpost tracking, and was checking online postal tracking and police certificate online tracking on a daily basis, here are the stat:
In my case the letter was received by SPF on the 7th calendar day after sending.
After the letter is received by SPF it enters a queue and was opened after another 4-5 working days. After your letter is opened now this is when your application processing time of 5 working days start. In my case my COC was approved on the 5th working day.

COC Issued-Queued-Sing Post
After the COC is approved, it will be printed and then be sent by postal service. Between the issue date and the letter being received by the Singapore Post there is a time of 3 working days. You will receive an email from SPF saying that the letter would be delivered to you in 2-3 weeks (this is a rough estimate, you are not obliged to believe this).
If you have a friend/ relative in Singapore, you can also choose "collect by proxy" option wherein your friend can collect the COC on your behalf, scan it and then email you. Your friend will need relevant authorization letter as well --- I did not go for this so I am not the best person to share info on this.

Sing Post Registered Mail
Contrary to whats being told by other on the forum that it takes ages to receive the letter, I received the letter on the 5th working day (I live in a South Asian country) - this shows that the letter is delivered within reasonable time. Secondly they send the letter to you by registered mail (so you dont have to worry about the letter getting lost). You get to know about the registered mail tracking number when you receive the letter (not sure if this information can be obtained by sending SPF an email).

In summary
In total it took me 40 days (head-to-tail) to receive the letter, after being issued with the COC request letter by IRCC. I was utmost prompt in my action, and nothing went amiss with the postal delivery services. In some circumstances due to delays in postal delivery be prepared for delay of another 5-10 days, and hence an estimation of 45-50 days to receive the COC while residing outside Singapore is very practical.

Hi, Thanks for the very good information. It helped me alot. I am also applying for Singapore COC from overseas. Right now I need to mail the fingerprints to Singapore. However, I was wondering do we need to fill the "COC_Fingerprint_Form" alongwith fingerprints or other forms with similar format will work.

Thanks

 

[RyanNguyen]

For my instance, I filled COC form and provided that to whom was doing fingerprints. Some explanation to him/her may be helpful. That is what I did in Canada.

 

[Kals123]

For my instance, I filled COC form and provided that to whom was doing fingerprints. Some explanation to him/her may be helpful. That is what I did in Canada.

Thank you so much for the information. I will do the same

 

[Hsolanke21]

Just got my Singapore COC while residing outside Singapore (in a South Asian country). So writing this short article for anyone planning to do the same.

I stayed in Singapore btw 2008-2013. And I applied for the COC from outside Singapore. Here is a step-by-step.

You do not need to provide COC as part of your application.
Yes ! You submit your express entry application, and then afterwards IRCC will issue you with the Singapore COC request letter which you will then submit as part of your SG COC application package. I was issued issued with the request letter 2 months 10 days after the submission of my application.

Be prompt when you receive the request letter.
You will be given 60 days to get the whole job done. Getting COC while residing overseas is a hassle. If the request letter has been issued by the High Commission of Canada then you have 30 days !

First you appeal
In my case, my appeal was accepted within 24 hours (however on the SPF website it says the following: >>"You will be notified of the appeal outcome within 5 working days."<<). You will need (i) scan of your passport size photo, (ii) scan of your Singapore ID card, (iii) IRCC/ High Commission request letter, (iv) scan of your passport, (v) plus any supporting letter - in my case I attached a letter of degree conferment from the Singapore university which I attended to make my application stronger.

Then you apply
After the successful appeal, now you can apply. After you apply, in my case I was sent with a fingerprint request letter within 36 hours by email.

The fingerprint business
For those residing outside Singapore
Bear in mind that there is a format for fingerprint (with the title INDUSTRIAL IDENTIFICATION). At the time of writing this thread, the form/format can be downloaded online from:
https://www.police.gov.sg/~/media/coc_sample_of_fingerprints.pdf
https://www.police.gov.sg/~/media/spf/files/e-services/form_coc_sg.pdf
https://www.police.gov.sg/sgsecure/~/media/coc_fingerprint_form.pdf?la=en
If the link is broken good luck with your search. The SPF is good with the email, email them and ask them to tell you the format of fingerprint. They tend to reply within 3-5 days for straightforward non-annoying emails.

Authorized centre: These include police station in your home country, commissioner of oath, justice of peace, notary public. If you are residing overseas please get your fingerprint at one of these centres only with relevant stamps/ signature of the centre.

Courier/ Post your fingerprint
Send your fingerprint along with a letter which will be emailed to you. Alternatively the receipt of your payment can also be attached. Bear in mind that the information on website is not always promptly updated. You need to be careful with courier/ postal service - it would be suicide if you choose a snail-pace postal service.
I sent by speedpost tracking, and was checking online postal tracking and police certificate online tracking on a daily basis, here are the stat:
In my case the letter was received by SPF on the 7th calendar day after sending.
After the letter is received by SPF it enters a queue and was opened after another 4-5 working days. After your letter is opened now this is when your application processing time of 5 working days start. In my case my COC was approved on the 5th working day.

COC Issued-Queued-Sing Post
After the COC is approved, it will be printed and then be sent by postal service. Between the issue date and the letter being received by the Singapore Post there is a time of 3 working days. You will receive an email from SPF saying that the letter would be delivered to you in 2-3 weeks (this is a rough estimate, you are not obliged to believe this).
If you have a friend/ relative in Singapore, you can also choose "collect by proxy" option wherein your friend can collect the COC on your behalf, scan it and then email you. Your friend will need relevant authorization letter as well --- I did not go for this so I am not the best person to share info on this.

Sing Post Registered Mail
Contrary to whats being told by other on the forum that it takes ages to receive the letter, I received the letter on the 5th working day (I live in a South Asian country) - this shows that the letter is delivered within reasonable time. Secondly they send the letter to you by registered mail (so you dont have to worry about the letter getting lost). You get to know about the registered mail tracking number when you receive the letter (not sure if this information can be obtained by sending SPF an email).

In summary
In total it took me 40 days (head-to-tail) to receive the letter, after being issued with the COC request letter by IRCC. I was utmost prompt in my action, and nothing went amiss with the postal delivery services. In some circumstances due to delays in postal delivery be prepared for delay of another 5-10 days, and hence an estimation of 45-50 days to receive the COC while residing outside Singapore is very practical.

Super helpful - appreciate the post. Unfortunately for me I was not awarded a FIN during my time in Singapore (which was less than 3 months spread across 2 years). I was in Singapore doing my Msc in Finance on a 2 year multiple entry e-visa owing to the part time nature of my program. In spite of seeing my duration of stay in Singapore the CIC has sent me a request letter to furnish the COC. The SPF have replied back saying i am ineligible to appeal - based on number of days spent in the country and the nature of my visa. Writing an LOE asking them to pardon me from submitting the document.

 

[NishaKirthi]

Hi All

I submitted appeal for Singapore COC on 28th February and it got approved, today, on 2nd March. I applied for COC immediately after the appeal got approved and the status is now "Accepted, pending finger prints". As the payment was not getting processed from my office, I asked my mom in Singapore to make the payment and when filling the COC application, she chose proxy as the mode of collection. But she didnt enter the FIN, her name and relation ship details. When I was trying to fill and pay, i remember seeing the fields, but not sure if they were mandatory. Also, we have received the payment receipt but no acknowledgement receipt. I have already sent my Fingerprints to Singapore. How can I proceed now? Should my mom mail the documents to SPF or can she walk down directly to SPF with the fingerprints, letter of authorization? And if she had incorrectly selected the mode of collection anything other than proxy, while submitting the application, can we change to proxy now?

 

[RyanNguyen]

Hi All

I submitted appeal for Singapore COC on 28th February and it got approved, today, on 2nd March. I applied for COC immediately after the appeal got approved and the status is now "Accepted, pending finger prints". As the payment was not getting processed from my office, I asked my mom in Singapore to make the payment and when filling the COC application, she chose proxy as the mode of collection. But she didnt enter the FIN, her name and relation ship details. When I was trying to fill and pay, i remember seeing the fields, but not sure if they were mandatory. Also, we have received the payment receipt but no acknowledgement receipt. I have already sent my Fingerprints to Singapore. How can I proceed now? Should my mom mail the documents to SPF or can she walk down directly to SPF with the fingerprints, letter of authorization? And if she had incorrectly selected the mode of collection anything other than proxy, while submitting the application, can we change to proxy now?

Try to walk down Cantoment with all documents, and your authorisation letter. They are very flexible and listening. Calling is also an option, but takes some time to wait. If u have more time, you can email them, they will help to correct it, took me almost 7 working days for changing mode to proxy. That is why I suggest to go there directly as your mom is living there, it will be faster.
Good luck

 

[NishaKirthi]

Try to walk down Cantoment with all documents, and your authorisation letter. They are very flexible and listening. Calling is also an option, but takes some time to wait. If u have more time, you can email them, they will help to correct it, took me almost 7 working days for changing mode to proxy. That is why I suggest to go there directly as your mom is living there, it will be faster.
Good luck

Thanks. My mother had selected proxy only while submitting the application. She called them in the morning and they said to bring the documents and the COC can be issued in half an hour it seems. She will be doing it by today. Thanks for the reply.

 

[NishaKirthi]

I have received the Singapore COC today, in just 2 working days.
My Timeline
Appeal Submitted - Feb 28th
Fingerprints taken at local fingerprint agency on Feb 29th
Sent the fingerprints, Letter of Authorization to my mother on March 1st through a friend who was travelling to Singapore
Appeal Approved - March 2nd
COC Submitted - March 2nd
COC Accepted, Pending Finger prints - March 2nd

My mother walked down directly to Cantonment with the acknowledgement receipt, fingerprints, letter of authorization, my passport copy. COC given to her in 30 mins

 

[PV_Ganesh]

Dear helpful members,
Where can I choose the proxy?.. Can I just give friend's mobile number and local address in the postal address?

Also non citizen/non resident only can login by FIN number. Am I correct?

Please advise.

 

[surenkajan]

I have received the Singapore COC today, in just 2 working days.
My Timeline
Appeal Submitted - Feb 28th
Fingerprints taken at local fingerprint agency on Feb 29th
Sent the fingerprints, Letter of Authorization to my mother on March 1st through a friend who was travelling to Singapore
Appeal Approved - March 2nd
COC Submitted - March 2nd
COC Accepted, Pending Finger prints - March 2nd

My mother walked down directly to Cantonment with the acknowledgement receipt, fingerprints, letter of authorization, my passport copy. COC given to her in 30 mins

Hi,

I applied for an appeal from Canada on 09 June 2020. I checked the status via "Enquiry" and it is in "In Progress".

I have few questions.

1. Can I do the fingerprint now? or Do I need to wait for the "fingerprint request letter from SPF"?
2. Did you use the "COC_Fingerprint_Form" to capture your fingerprints? Wherer did you do it?
3. I am going to ask my friend to collect the COC on behalf of me as a "collect by proxy". So Can I send the fingerprint and authorization letter to him directly instead of sending the fingerprints to SPF?
4. Can I send both fingerprint and authorization letter to my friend before I submit my COC application?
5. Can my friend collect my COC on the same date if he goes in person with my fingerprints and authorization letter?
6. Can he go now during this pandemic? Is this open?

Your suggestions and inputs are most welcome.

Sorry for too many questions and thanks for your time and help in advance.

 

[PV_Ganesh]

Hi,

I applied for an appeal from Canada on 09 June 2020. I checked the status via "Enquiry" and it is in "In Progress".

I have few questions.

1. Can I do the fingerprint now? or Do I need to wait for the "fingerprint request letter from SPF"?
2. Did you use the "COC_Fingerprint_Form" to capture your fingerprints? Wherer did you do it?
3. I am going to ask my friend to collect the COC on behalf of me as a "collect by proxy". So Can I send the fingerprint and authorization letter to him directly instead of sending the fingerprints to SPF?
4. Can I send both fingerprint and authorization letter to my friend before I submit my COC application?
5. Can my friend collect my COC on the same date if he goes in person with my fingerprints and authorization letter?
6. Can he go now during this pandemic? Is this open?

Your suggestions and inputs are most welcome.

Sorry for too many questions and thanks for your time and help in advance.

1. You can keep the finger prints ready from an authorised expert
2. Yes. My Bangalore agent used fbi format and I got coc already.
3. You can nominate your friend during further registration
4. Better you send from your address to spf office for more credibility
5. I think they are working now... But I cancelled my friends visit due to covid... Booked UPS sevice from abroad to pick from spf office. After booking you have to share the way bill with them....

Hope it helps you.

 

[surenkajan]

1. You can keep the finger prints ready from an authorised expert
2. Yes. My Bangalore agent used fbi format and I got coc already.
3. You can nominate your friend during further registration
4. Better you send from your address to spf office for more credibility
5. I think they are working now... But I cancelled my friends visit due to covid... Booked UPS sevice from abroad to pick from spf office. After booking you have to share the way bill with them....

Hope it helps you.

Thanks for your time and reply. Really appreciated.

1. is "COC_Fingerprint_Form" (https://www.police.gov.sg/sgsecure/~/media/coc_fingerprint_form.pdf?la=en) and fbi format are same?
2. I thought to send both fingerprint and authorization letter to my friend just to speed up the process. It would be great If my friend can get the COC on the same day when he goes with those two documents. But as you said, sending directly to SPF gives more credibility.
3. How did you do that? How do we schedule a courier pickup in advance? Is this easy and fast?

 

[PV_Ganesh]

Thanks for your time and reply. Really appreciated.

1. is "COC_Fingerprint_Form" (https://www.police.gov.sg/sgsecure/~/media/coc_fingerprint_form.pdf?la=en) and fbi format are same?
2. I thought to send both fingerprint and authorization letter to my friend just to speed up the process. It would be great If my friend can get the COC on the same day when he goes with those two documents. But as you said, sending directly to SPF gives more credibility.
3. How did you do that? How do we schedule a courier pickup in advance? Is this easy and fast?

1. 100% compliant
2. Also should work.. note: Auth letter email is suffice
3. Once your document is ready, you can ask them, they will share the procedure.. For me they suggested that.

 

[surenkajan]

1. 100% compliant
2. Also should work.. note: Auth letter email is suffice
3. Once your document is ready, you can ask them, they will share the procedure.. For me they suggested that.

Thanks again.

1. I thought My friend must go with the original authorization letter which has my signature. Is an email from me is enough for him to get my COC? has anyone done it before?

2. Do you mean SPF? Which mode I have to select in COC application if I am going to do this?

 

[PV_Ganesh]

Thanks again.

1. I thought My friend must go with the original authorization letter which has my signature. Is an email from me is enough for him to get my COC? has anyone done it before?

2. Do you mean SPF? Which mode I have to select in COC application if I am going to do this?

1. I read it in their mail or email response... Worst case send a photograph of your had written letter to your friend as back up.. should work

2. You decide now.. For me I chose proxy.. later I asked my friend not to go due to covid... Them requested them to change to collect it by UPS