FBI - Freaking Out!!

[Pharoh]

Hey guys,

I'm slightly freaking out all of a sudden.

I got my FBI background check back in the mail in August. The letter (with no criminal record) is dated August 7th. I'm in the November group. Mississauga received my app on November 16th, and my sponsor was approved on December 13th The app is now on its way (or should be at) Buffalo now. That would mean the FBI check I sent them was 3 months and about a week old when they got it.

Am I in danger of having to re-do my FBI check? I included the FBI, medicals, and the full payment for everything.

Please advise.

Thanks!

 

[scylla]

Pharoh -

I don't think anyone can guarantee what will happen.

However if it's any consolation, my husband's FBI certificate was 4 months old when it arrived in Mississauga (along with the rest of the application) and we didn't have to re-do it. So hopefully you'll have the same experience.

 

[Pharoh]

Pharoh -

I don't think anyone can guarantee what will happen.

However if it's any consolation, my husband's FBI certificate was 4 months old when it arrived in Mississauga (along with the rest of the application) and we didn't have to re-do it. So hopefully you'll have the same experience.

Ahh, good to know. Thanks for sharing your experience. You said it was 4 months old when it got to Mississauga... but would they have been the ones to make the call? I would think that'd be Buffalo's responsibility, given that the FBI check is part of the immigrant application. *shrug*.

 

[scylla]

I honestly don't know who makes that call. I had assumed that it would be Buffalo (since they are the ones who review the applicant's information in detail and also execute the background check). But I really don't know...

 

[heatherusa]

we waited two months and redid the FBI check just in case they asked for it (we sent it but separate from the original appl) and they did. For me,spending the extra 18 dollars was worth it, even it it had just been piece of mind.

 

[Pharoh]

we waited two months and redid the FBI check just in case they asked for it (we sent it but separate from the original appl) and they did. For me,spending the extra 18 dollars was worth it, even it it had just been piece of mind.

Ahh, so you didn't send it in originally, and when you did send it in, they somehow lost it, but you had another copy ready to send to them?

I'm leaning towards doing this. I've heard of some people getting it somewhat rushed by including a cover letter. I may look into this, perhaps requesting my results within 30 days or something... *shrug*.

 

[RobsLuv]

They don't "rush" them anymore - it will take between 3 and 4 months to get another FBI back. But there's no way to know whether or not Buffalo will ask you to redo the FBI clearance . . . CPC-Mississauga only checks to make sure that the application is complete, they don't make a judgment as to whether the assessing officer is going to want confirmation of no criminal record for the time period since the last one was done. Chances are, if they do, it won't be until they're ready to finalize the application anyway, and that could be months from now. Wish I could give you a more definitive answer but the bottom line is that even if your original FBI certificate had been submitted before it was 3 months old, they might still (or might not) ask you to submit a new one at some point. There's just no way to know for sure until you either receive a request for it, or not. Either way - no point in freaking out. The only real reason to freak out is if you have a criminal offence. Other than that, no need to worry - the process is going to take as long as it's going to and there's not a thing you can do to affect it.

 

[Pharoh]

I went ahead and redid the fingerprints today at the police station. I'm sending the envelope off tomorrow, with priority shipping. I've put "Canada Immigration - Please Rush if Possible - Thanks!!" for the "Reason" on the FBI form, not that I expect them to give two hoots about it.

By looking at the prints, they look pretty awful. They're digital (not ink), same as last time. I can see some white blotches on a couple of the fingers. I compared it to the original ones I sent in (and were accepted), and they look about the same. I'm worried they may be rejected, though. In the event they ARE rejected, I know the FBI notifies you and requests you send new prints. Does this start the 12~ week process all over again, or do they send you the report as soon as you send them fresh prints?

I hope I don't end up having to send another background check, but felt it wise to go ahead and do this, just to be prepared.