A place to vent....

[Nej]

I don't know how you others are doing with your app, but I'm so stressed out. I thought maybe a place to wrtie down some frustrations would be a good thing and a help as well as sharing experiences with others so that you don't feel like you're the only one out there going through this.

My husband and I are applying outland via Buffalo. We were married about 2 months ago. I recieved my state police certificates back in Oct/Nov because I knew they would take awhile as well as made a request for an FBI background check. As we are getting the documents ready, we came across some troubles. When my husband and I went to get his divorce certificate, we find out that when he filled, the person who helped him fill it out misspelled his name. So we had to pay an extra $100 dollars in fees and papers to get it corrected before it was issued to us about 3 weeks later. Then with my FBI clearance, I called every week for over a month and they tell me that it's in the mail as of Nov 25, but what they didn't tell me is that I had left out one number from our address and it was returned to them, but they didn't tell me this until mid January. So if the 3 month rule applies to the FBI certificate, I have to get a new one made as well as send out for new state police certificates (which were dated in October) So I'm going to the store and post office later today to get those in the mail and get fingerprinted again next week. On the plus side all of the forms are finally filled out.

 

[rk2009]

I don't know how you others are doing with your app, but I'm so stressed out. I thought maybe a place to wrtie down some frustrations would be a good thing and a help as well as sharing experiences with others so that you don't feel like you're the only one out there going through this.

My husband and I are applying outland via Buffalo. We were married about 2 months ago. I recieved my state police certificates back in Oct/Nov because I knew they would take awhile as well as made a request for an FBI background check. As we are getting the documents ready, we came across some troubles. When my husband and I went to get his divorce certificate, we find out that when he filled, the person who helped him fill it out misspelled his name. So we had to pay an extra $100 dollars in fees and papers to get it corrected before it was issued to us about 3 weeks later. Then with my FBI clearance, I called every week for over a month and they tell me that it's in the mail as of Nov 25, but what they didn't tell me is that I had left out one number from our address and it was returned to them, but they didn't tell me this until mid January. So if the 3 month rule applies to the FBI certificate, I have to get a new one made as well as send out for new state police certificates (which were dated in October) So I'm going to the store and post office later today to get those in the mail and get fingerprinted again next week. On the plus side all of the forms are finally filled out.

I hear you, this whole process can be slow as it spans across multiple jurisdictions, countries. I think I have filled up more forms in this process than ever.

Hang in there, it should work out eventually. Like you said if all your forms are done then the rest of the documentation is relatively minimal. At least there is a set path to hit.

 

[abedelia]

Did you actually call the FBI to check on the status of your record check? Can you tell me the number? It's been 11 weeks since I sent my request to the FBI for my criminal record check and I haven't heard anything, and it's holding up my application. Thanks

 

[nyssa]

11 weeks, abedelia?? Oh no :-( Mine is at the 8-9 week mark and I'm panicking. It was recieved by the FBI on November 30.

This cannot be a good sign! I have the number you're looking for: 304-625-5590

That will take you directly to the CJIS Division. Good luck. 11 weeks is shocking to me.

 

[diddagirl]

I am so sorry to hear that the FBI check is taking so long for you guys. 8, 9, 11 weeks? That's simply ridiculous to me. Fortunately, we recieved ours withinin about 4 weeks (and that wait was stressful to us). Fingers crossed that you guys get something soon, and that maybe the FBI can find a way to make this happen faster for immigration purposes.

 

[Nej]

Yes, I called every week for about 6-8 weeks and sent in faxes. Supposedly it's in the mail now, but it's been almost 4 months since I put in the request and it's process date is early Nov so if the 3 month rule applies, then it's already expired. I printed out new forms and am going to get fingerprinted again today and then overnight the forms to the FBI and hope and pray it gets back within the next month.

FBI Customer Service fax number: 304-625-3571
Customer Service Group Office Hours Monday-Friday 8am-5:30pm EST 304-625-5590
Email about inquiries:Liaison@leo.gov

 

[ColorMePanda]

Omg I am terrified now for when it comes my time to request the FBI clearance.

What is their problem with doing it lately?
You all did send it being sure to write when you needed it back on the envelope and what it was for, right?

Oh and do we have to get fingerprints for it? Because I hear of some doing it and others not.

 

[Nej]

Yes, I carefully read what needed to be written on the pages and outside the envelope. Guess there's a few of us that have had bad luck. Some that have posted here have recieved it within a couple of weeks while others have waited months.

 

[diddagirl]

Omg I am terrified now for when it comes my time to request the FBI clearance.

What is their problem with doing it lately?
You all did send it being sure to write when you needed it back on the envelope and what it was for, right?

Oh and do we have to get fingerprints for it? Because I hear of some doing it and others not.

Yes Panda, you need to get fingerprints done.

 

[nyssa]

Wow, if it turns out to be 4 months I will have to literally re-do my entire application. I can't even fathom that right now. I wonder if sending in another fingerprint request is a good idea or not... will having 2 files slow it down?

I don't even know what to say right now Nej :-( ...if it took 4 months for you, it will take 4 months for me I don't doubt. I'd better consider Plan B :-(

 

[ColorMePanda]

Yes Panda, you need to get fingerprints done.

Oh yeah now I remember. You can print off the sheet for it correct? Then take it to RCMP to fingerprint it?
So should I order for my requests 2 months before filing pr application or what? I am afraid of giving it too much time and also not giving it enough time to get here.

 

[diddagirl]

Oh yeah now I remember. You can print off the sheet for it correct? Then take it to RCMP to fingerprint it?
So should I order for my requests 2 months before filing pr application or what? I am afraid of giving it too much time and also not giving it enough time to get here.

I think the RCMP/local police station is an option to get your finger printing done... but there is other places that can do it as well. My bf got his done at a paralegal's office and I know there is a few other places here that do it.

Yes, it definitely seems tricky to time it correectly with the delay in FBI's recent processing-however I dont think 11 weeks is "normal". I think that is exceptionally slow, and have seen many cases (including ours) where the FBI clearance was returned MUCH quicker (in less than a month)

 

[nyssa]

When I got my police certificate in July, it took about 3-4 weeks. That was before I knew about the 3 month expiration! It definitely doesn't take this long usually. Typically what I did would have been fine, requesting fingerprints in November for a January send off.

 

[abedelia]

thank you so much, Nyssa! I will call on Monday about it.

DIDDAGIRL--your process was so fast! I am getting ready to send my application in (as soon as I get my police clearance). How do the medicals work? I have been waiting to go to the Dr. for my medical clearance until I get my fingerprints back because I don't want to spend all the money on the medical clearance only to have it expire because of a delay with my fingerprints. I found a Dr. here that will give me an appointment for the exam within a couple of days, so I'll make the appointment as soon as I get the FBI clearance back. But I noticed in your timeline that is says that your medicals were received after you sent in your application? How does this work? Does the Dr. who does the exam send the medical results in for you? Or do you have to wait for the results to come back and submit them with your application?

I guess my question is, when I get my FBI clearance back, will my application be ready to submit (assuming I have all the forms filled out)? The process is a little confusing having not gone through it before.

Thanks!!
AB

 

[diddagirl]

thank you so much, Nyssa! I will call on Monday about it.

DIDDAGIRL--your process was so fast! I am getting ready to send my application in (as soon as I get my police clearance). How do the medicals work? I have been waiting to go to the Dr. for my medical clearance until I get my fingerprints back because I don't want to spend all the money on the medical clearance only to have it expire because of a delay with my fingerprints. I found a Dr. here that will give me an appointment for the exam within a couple of days, so I'll make the appointment as soon as I get the FBI clearance back. But I noticed in your timeline that is says that your medicals were received after you sent in your application? How does this work? Does the Dr. who does the exam send the medical results in for you? Or do you have to wait for the results to come back and submit them with your application?

I guess my question is, when I get my FBI clearance back, will my application be ready to submit (assuming I have all the forms filled out)? The process is a little confusing having not gone through it before.

Thanks!!
AB

Hi abedelia,
Yes, we sure got lucky with our processing time!
Unlike police clearances, medicals are good for 1 year. We got our medicals done on Sept 12th- as we knew we were sending our application Oct 1. Basically what happens is the Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) forwards the medicals to the appropriate regional medical office (In our case Ottawa- since we were going through Buffalo). From there, when they are ready for medicals to be looked at, your visa office will request the medicals from the regional medical office (so in our case, Buffalo requests medicals from Ottawa) and once received, it may/ may not be updated in ecas to reflect "medicals received". I am assuming since you are requesting FBI cert, you are going through Buffalo as well? If so, then the above information applies for your case as well.

So to answer your questions- Yes, the DMP sends in your medicals for you (but dont forget to include your copy of Appendix A- showing that you have done the medical). Once you have your FBI, ensure you have taken your medical, including Appendix A showing proof of that, pay your fees, and as long as everything else is done with your application, you should be ready to submit!
Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions as our process is still very fresh in my brain