The Southron has been investigating the discrepancy between documentation and practice regarding the acceptance of US Police Letters and has discovered the following.The RULE HAS CHANGED! FBI letters are required instead of local Police letters!
BUT…
The new rule has not be implemented yet, but could be any day, or week or…
Tuesday I go for my interview, if they have implemented the new rule by then, I will find out the hard way.
The bright side, for you, is that you get to learn from my mistakes….
Thank you for the warning and caution. My wife and I are moving to Uruguay by September 1st and are planning to be there approximately one year for research purposes. We have the standard police report stating we are law abiding citizens and have just contacted the FBI to inquire about their letters and the agents weren’t sure if they do them. I’ll investigate further and let you and everyone else know what happens.
Left by Hugo on August 18th, 2006
Hi Southron-When I went thru my Residency for Uy in 2000 the Police Report I brought to Uy (and stamped by the Uy Consulate in Miami) was considered worthless, the Uy immigration then arranged for a visit to Interpol in Montevideo which contacts FBI. Hope this helps and look forward to hearing how your’s goes. Best, Stephen
Left by Stephen on August 19th, 2006
The impending chg. in the “police letter”is of great interest…thank you. I plan on returning to Uruguay around June of 07 to rent a place, prob. in La Colonia, and start the process of legalization. Been in contact with Shirley, whom I believe you may know, with re to what I can do beforehand to facilitate said process. I presently live in Mexico but my legal address is in Fla. Was going to return there, almost solely in order to obtain the “police letter” and “legalize” my birth cert. thru the Consulate. My query to Shirley was whether I could simply go and initiate the whole shebang fm Uruguay, poss. with paid assistance. She thought you had done this and suggested I contact you for info./advice. I don’t mind extra time and/or money, so much as I dread the thought of needing to fly back because of some foolish/avoidable error. Greatly appreciate your input. John
Left by John Patrick Moore on August 21st, 2006
The FBI definitely does them. They now require you to be fingerprinted and the clearance letter takes 10-12 weeks to get.In the interim, if you come here without the FBI letter, you can leave a few days before your 90 day tourist visa is up and go to BA for the weekend, you get a new 90 day visa when you come back. If you start the FBI letter process now, that should be enought time.It is also possible that they may still accept regular police letters. The minute I find out that they actually reject one I will post a quick notice on the blog. But as of this morning, the old letters still work, but that could change any day—or not for months.
Left by The Southron on August 22nd, 2006
The current rules require both a police letter and an Interpol check here.
Left by The Southron on August 22nd, 2006
In your case, and since you have time, I would get the FBI letter just to cover all your bases. But REMEMBER, it is only good for immigration purposes for 90 days, so as soon as you get it you need to visit here ASAP.
Left by The Southron on August 22nd, 2006
I enjoyed reading your blog and I wish you good luck in that beautyful city!I was born there and left the country 36 years ago. I am now living in Montreal, Canada. For someone coming from the North you might find some contradictions but I am sure that you willenjoy your stay and Uruguayan people once you understand the users manual!RegardsVal
Left by Val on August 24th, 2006
Yours is a very interesting and informative journal, and is appreciated. I’m retired in Guadalajara, Mexico and often think of moving further south. I’ll be eager to see how your life progresses there.Thanks and regards,
Left by Richard Love on August 25th, 2006
Just to throw in some more confusion: The consulate in Washington said that they could not legalize the FBI background check because it has no signature. However, they also said that the FBI check is not needed if you have lived in the US for the last five years; the Interpol check done from Uruguay is sufficient. They were quite adamant on this point. On the other hand, the consulate in LA was happy to legalize the FBI check. I received it back two business days after I FedEx’d it.
Left by Shirley on August 28th, 2006
There will be a full, complete and current report on this issue later this week.The Southron
Left by The Southron on August 28th, 2006
I wonder how this affects a Canadian Citizen?
Left by nepoez on September 16th, 2006
As far as I know, everyone except citizens of the USA and Yankee-Occupied America (The Confederacy) can still use a police letter provided it has been properly legalized at the appropriate Uruguayan Consulate.
Left by The Southron on September 16th, 2006
Thanks for the fast response! I got up at 6AM today from another Uruguay anxety attack..Anyways, do the legalization take place in my home country or can I do it in Uruguay?
Left by nepoez on September 16th, 2006
According to what I have found out, you MUST get your documents legalized at the Uruguay Consulate which has jurisdiction for your area or the area where the documents originate.
Left by The Southron on September 16th, 2006