FBI Clearance Certificate for Study Permit Application

[Melody23]

Hello,

I'm an international student from Bangladesh and got accepted at McMaster University, Canada to the MSc. in Global Health program starting from September 8th, 2016. I applied online on May 14th and got my medical passed on May 29th. I haven't heard from the embassy yet and the processing time has already passed 9 weeks. My profile is as follows:

Bachelor of Arts at: CUNY, New York, United States
Lived in New York: 6 years
Work experience: 2 years

I have visited Toronto multiple times on semester breaks and still hold a valid visitor visa that expires in 2018. Because i have lived in the States for more than 5 years, CIC requires me to submit a FBI Clearance report as part of the study permit application. i have already sent my fingerprints to the CJIS Department of FBI but they take 12-14 weeks to process the report. However, CIC asked me to upload the FBI report by November 16th whereas my classes would start from September 8th. It would be helpful if someone can answer me the following questions:

1. I have no arrest records in the States and have provided a good conduct certificate from my organization along with the PCC from my country, combined them in one file and uploaded it on MyCIC. I explained in a letter that FBI takes long time so if it would be possible for CIC to consider the time frame when processing my application. Has there been any case where the applicant's study permit was approved without the FBI report and was allowed to submit after they arrived in Canada? I mean I will definitely upload it once I have it and they can track me too if I don't, so I just hope they consider the situation

2. I am not even sure if CIC will ask me to contact my University for deferral as they haven't gotten back to me yet. I am just worrying if they take more time then I might miss this semester for no apparent reason. It's not in my control to get the FBI report early so I don't know if they consider any circumstance. Does CIC instruct applicants in case they need to defer the semester? Do they even look at the semester start dates before processing the permits?

I tried to call their call center but it keeps on saying 'number is incorrect, please try again' when I know I have the right number.

It would be great if anyone can provide valuable insight in this case and help me find answers.

Thank you!

-Melody

 

[jonsnow]

Oh my God! I was just talking to a friend of mine the other day, and he was saying how was in the exact same situation last year. He was having to defer his studies to get the FBI Clearance. However he had other offers from universities within states, so he decided to stay in the states and go with one of them as he didnt want to lose a semester. It doesnt make sense, CIC and US authorities share info; CIC can easily access a persons records in the US then why would they ask for the FBI clearance.

 

[Melody23]

Thanks Jonsnow for your reply. Would you mind if I ask you for your friend's email? I really need to get advice on what I should do regarding this matter. Whether I should contact CIC or should i defer the semester. i mean if CIC doesnt let me know then I have to apply all over again for the next fall which wastes one year in between. I just don't want to defer because MAC has a great Global Health program and they have emailed me the reading list for summer as well and I am pretty up to date with everything. Studying there would definitely be beneficial as I'd be able to learn so much. Do you think I should write up another explanation letter and submit it in CSE?