Finger Print and FBI check for US citz in Canada?

[Masonb6888]

So I'm applying for common law in Dec. I decided to start this form a little early. How do I go about getting my finger prints done while I'm here in canada?
I downloaded the application, but it says an officer needs to actually do my finger prints.. also can't find the credit card filling form..

Any tips?

 

[lalicatter]

Look for an accredited fingerprint agency. You should be able to google "accredited finger printing" + whatever city you're in. Tell them it is for immigration for the FBI check - they will know what to do.

 

[Ponga]

You do NOT need an officer to take your prints, just a trained technician.

Try your local Commissionaires office.

I suggest sending two complete sets (requires a second FBI FD-258 card, obviously) as well as a few bucks more for the technician. You want to make it clear to the FBI that you are NOT asking for two separate reports and that the second card is to be used only if one or more prints are deemed as illegible when they process your prints.

The payment form is on the FBI website, somewhere. As long as you do not return to the U.S. during the entire PR process, the letter from the FBI (or approved Channeler) will remain valid.

 

[Masonb6888]

so I'm here in Canada under a study permit. good till mid 2019)
You're saying I can't go back for christmas or anything if I submit the application for these fingerprints?
We're applying for common-law also.
I just made an appointment with the local commissioners office.

 

[CDNPR2014]

so I'm here in Canada under a study permit. good till mid 2019)
You're saying I can't go back for christmas or anything if I submit the application for these fingerprints?
We're applying for common-law also.
I just made an appointment with the local commissioners office.

what ponga is suggesting is if you return to the us and then return to canada after you receive your FBI report and submit it with your application, CIC may consider it invalid and may request another one down the road. of course this will only be confirmed when CIC makes the request. there is also the slight chance cic won't catch this and will consider it valid. so it may be a good idea to request another one after your trip just in case another one is requested.

 

[Masonb6888]

Okay. Do we know the processing times? I saw a forum about it, but it looked pretty old.
We were suppose to go back in early November, but I might hold off or just submit it anyways. (for my sister's wedding)

why would they request new ones if I went back into the US?

 

[Ponga]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/infORmation/security/police-cert/intro.asp

For the country you currently live in, the police certificate must be issued no more than six months before you apply.

For countries where you have lived for six months or more, the police certificate must be issued after the last time you lived in that country.


If you're not planning to submit your application until December anyway, why not wait to get the FBI letter and just use one of the approved Channelers after you return from Christmas holidays?

 

[CDNPR2014]

Okay. Do we know the processing times? I saw a forum about it, but it looked pretty old.
We were suppose to go back in early November, but I might hold off or just submit it anyways. (for my sister's wedding)

i believe it's still taking 12-16 weeks for FBI reports. it takes a while. i'd suggest sending in the application at least that much in advance of when you want to submit your applicaiton.

why would they request new ones if I went back into the US?

because the original report will only capture information up to the request date. if you go back to the us after that date, then technically it hasn't captured any criminal doings you may have been a part of during that time.

 

[Ponga]

Okay. Do we know the processing times? I saw a forum about it, but it looked pretty old.
We were suppose to go back in early November, but I might hold off or just submit it anyways. (for my sister's wedding)

why would they request new ones if I went back into the US?

Most U.S. citizens are completing the Outland (which you should be submitting even though you are in Canada) process in ~6 months (+/-).

Most...but not all of them.

Using a Channeler shaves about 10 weeks off the process, since they are substantially faster (and more expensive) than requesting your IHSR letter from the FBI directly. For the extra $50, or so, it's usually money well spent.

 

[Masonb6888]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/infORmation/security/police-cert/intro.asp

For the country you currently live in, the police certificate must be issued no more than six months before you apply.

For countries where you have lived for six months or more, the police certificate must be issued after the last time you lived in that country.


If you're not planning to submit your application until December anyway, why not wait to get the FBI letter and just use one of the approved Channelers after you return from Christmas holidays?

Ohh. Well I have no idea what a channeler is or what it does.

but I'm not going back there to 'live' I'm visiting for 4-5 days.
Wouldn't they see that I left and came back in within a few days?

 

[Ponga]

If the use logic, yes...but in theory, you could commit a crime after the letter was generated, right?

 

[CDNPR2014]

Ohh. Well I have no idea what a channeler is or what it does.

channelers are a 3rd party that can submit FBI report requests and get results in a much shorter time (typically 48 hours to a week). There are only a select few that are approved by cic and the requester must be in the us. i believe the application website has this information. i know there are threads here that have it. try checking the FBI record check not too far down.

but I'm not going back there to 'live' I'm visiting for 4-5 days.
Wouldn't they see that I left and came back in within a few days?

no one can really tell you this for sure. it's going to depend on what travel information cic has and the visa officer handling your file. so it's a "do at your own risk" type of thing.

 

[Ponga]

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/compact-council/list-of-approved-channelers

The Channeler must send the letter to an address in the U.S. (family member, or friend) who can then forward the letter to you in Canada.

 

[Masonb6888]

channelers are a 3rd party that can submit FBI report requests and get results in a much shorter time (typically 48 hours to a week). There are only a select few that are approved by cic and the requester must be in the us. i believe the application website has this information. i know there are threads here that have it. try checking the FBI record check not too far down.

no one can really tell you this for sure. it's going to depend on what travel information cic has and the visa officer handling your file. so it's a "do at your own risk" type of thing.

So it sounds like the channeler is the right way to go.
I still need to get my fingerprints and what not, no?
Does it cost a ton extra?

 

[Masonb6888]

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/compact-council/list-of-approved-channelers

The Channeler must send the letter to an address in the U.S. (family member, or friend) who can then forward the letter to you in Canada.

That's fine. My mom could do that easily.