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pash_2012

Full Member
Mar 10, 2015
38
1
PCC

Is there a CIC email or contact number to call to against a query for which I haven't been able to get a definite advice in any of the forums?
It's in regards to PCC.

Basically I have lived in US for a year on J1 Visa but never have I stayed over for 6 months in a row.

During my one year stay in US, I came back to UK for a week twice in between after 5 months and 3 months, respectively. And 3 months again finally for good.

So at no time did I spend more than 5 months in a row inside US, though I was a resident for a year.

According to CIC website:
"You must get one from each country or territory where you have lived for six or more months in a row since the age of 18."

Do I still need a PCC for US?


Please advice!

PS: It takes almost 5 months to get PCC from US!
 
Yes you do. You had a temporay resident status as a student. Going back home for a week for a short vacation does not make a diference as you were leagally residing in USA for one year. Apply as soon as possible.
 
yes, you need the FBI certificate.
 
No, you don't need it if you have never stayed there for longer than six months in a row. It's clear from from CIC says.
 
Still no definite response.

Is there anyway to get in touch with CIC to clarify this query. I haven't applied yet, hence I don't have application number.
 
No you dont need a PCC from US as you have not stayed there for more than 6 months in a row. But do mention it in your travel history as 2 different entries.
 
You do need a FBI clearance from US.
You are better off applying one right now. If and when CIC requests it, I guess you will not have enough time to obtain it.
 
To all the people replying to this thread, are you guys just speculating or are your replies actually based on fact/experience?
 
Just mention it in your cover letter.
My common law lived in Germany with me for 165 days - which is 5 month and 2 weeks (since March till November).
This is clearly seen by stamps in her passport. (tourist visas)
In her case she don't need any certificate but only from home country
 
dan_and said:
Answers so far are probably not helpful to the OP, as pixelfrontier indicated.

It says on CIC's website:

"You must get one from each country or territory where you have lived for six or more months in a row since the age of 18."
http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/information/security/police-cert/intro.asp

It says "lived", not "stayed". This is makes a difference, and in my opinion refers to the fact that if you were a resident in that country for more than 6 months, you need to get a police clearance (even though you might have traveled somewhere on vacation during your time as a resident). In your situation, that is the case - your visa shows clearly that you have been a resident in the US for more than 6 months.

I admit that this a bit ambiguous and open to interpretation as per the different answers you received. But one things for sure: getting the PCC will not hurt you, but not having it might very well delay or even derail your application.

Regarding the US yes, you should apply

So, if you cannot get a definitive answer from CIC, apply for the PCC. I know FBI clearance will probably take longer than your allotted time for responding to the ITA, so send them proof that you applied.

That's what I would do.
 
Thanks for the wise-advice dan_and.

I have obviously thought of doing the same, i.e. applying for the PCC now, but I still feel the interpretation being 6 months in a row.

Is there any way to get in touch with CIC for the query, though I don't have an application no.
 
You need the PCC. As a long time member of this forum I can tell you we've seen many many instances where people did not submit a PCC for a country because they didn't live there for six consecutive months (although they lived there for more than six months in total). A PCC was eventually requested by CIC.

Even those that didn't live a full six months somewhere are often asked for a PCC. We have also seen numerous cases here where people lived somewhere for more than five months (but less than six) and were still asked for a PCC.

If you don't want to delay the processing of your application, get the PCC.
 
scylla said:
You need the PCC. As a long time member of this forum I can tell you we've seen many many instances where people did not submit a PCC for a country because they didn't live there for six consecutive months (although they lived there for more than six months in total). A PCC was eventually requested by CIC.

Even those that didn't live a full six months somewhere are often asked for a PCC. We have also seen numerous cases here where people lived somewhere for more than five months (but less than six) and were still asked for a PCC.

If you don't want to delay the processing of your application, get the PCC.

Hi,
second that.
I have also seen applicants on this forum lived for 5 months somewhere and were asked by the CIC to submit a PCC later.
 
nov1061 said:
Hi,
second that.
I have also seen applicants on this forum lived for 5 months somewhere and were asked by the CIC to submit a PCC later.

can u send a link?
 
@dan_and : Yep I dont have an ITA yet, just doing the preliminary groundwork mate, I am waiting to get my POF ready before I make my profile. I have already received my ECA report and IELTS score. My CRS is 413 at the moment, but by July it will go up to 438.

@All : Thanks guys, I definitely should go ahead with it, it only makes sense to have one than not!
Went through the CIC info on US PCC, and printed some of the pdfs.

Dear All, I have a few silly questions in relation to it now,whoever has already requested one, could please help:

FD-258_form : Fingerprint Card
Applicant Information Form
Credit Card Payment Form


1. I printed the FD-258_form on a normal piece of paper, does it needs to be printed on a Card Type paper or Normal Printing Paper, since they are referring to it as "Fingerprint Card." The page layout is not A4 size either!
2. I have lost my SSN card and have forgotten the Social Security Number, though I do have the last 4 digits on one of my American Pay Stub. Though the Applicant Information Form requires only last 4 digits, does the Fingerprint Card requires the full Social Security Number?
3. I dont own a Credit Card though I do have a few Debit Cards, I believe I cant put in Debit Card details, right? Hence can I obtain a money order or certified check for $18 U.S. dollars made payable to the Treasury of the United States, from a Bank in India?
4. Finally within the Fingerprint Card, what are OCA or FBI no. ?