Police Certificate/FBI Check delay time makes it invalid?

[beeelythe]

Hi everyone!

We're at the finish line and are ready to submit my common-law partner's application! However, we have on area of concern:

We ordered his FBI check about a year ago and received it, but it would be considered invalid because it is older than the "within 3 months of the application date". So we're going to order another one, of course, but the current wait times, according to the FBI website, are 14-18 weeks. So if we submit our application tomorrow, and we submit for the clearance the same day, by the time it arrives it will still be too late for the "within 3 months of the application date"...

Has anyone encountered this before?

What should we do?

Thank you!

Home stretch!

 

[Ponga]

Why did you order this a year ago, if you were not ready to submit the PR application?

CIC must receive the FBI letter within 90 days from when it is issued, by the FBI.

If you are applying Inland, you can include a note with your application, stating that the PCC has been ordered and that you will forward it to CIC immediately, upon receipt.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Hi everyone!

We're at the finish line and are ready to submit my common-law partner's application! However, we have on area of concern:

We ordered his FBI check about a year ago and received it, but it would be considered invalid because it is older than the "within 3 months of the application date". So we're going to order another one, of course, but the current wait times, according to the FBI website, are 14-18 weeks. So if we submit our application tomorrow, and we submit for the clearance the same day, by the time it arrives it will still be too late for the "within 3 months of the application date"...

Has anyone encountered this before?

What should we do?

Thank you!

Home stretch!

Are you sure you are quoting the wait time from the actual FBI site and not the CIC site? Because as of last week the wait time per the FBI site was 26 days...
Definitely make sure you are checking the source correctly.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Go here and follow link for "request directly from FBI". Request has to be made by mail. Still says 26 days as turnaround time. The CIC website does not update the information at all.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

 

[beeelythe]

We were planning to apply last summer, but we realized that we would not be able to travel for two very important weddings in the US, so we held off our application until now.

Thank you, RCohen! You're right, I was referencing the CIC website and not the FBI's.

My one concern is sending our application in now and then forwarding the FBI results afterwards as a separate package, I'd be worried, since we probably won't have a case number by then, that it would delay our application for months in order to get the application and the FBI clearance together.

 

[beeelythe]

On top of that, does anyone know a place in Vancouver (or any nearby suburb) where we could go to get our fingerprints done?

Thank you!

 

[rhcohen2014]

People have mentioned mailing it in with the current record, attaching a note saying a new one has been ordered and the new one will be sent as soon as its received. Whether that delays the application I don't know. If there isn't anything in the package for sure it will be considered incomplete and CIC will either send a request or return your application.

 

[Ponga]

You can have fingerprints taken at any Commissionaires office:
http://www.commissionaires.bc.ca/fingerprinting-id/fingerprinting-services/

You cannot use their digital fingerprinting services, because fingerprints cannot be sent electronically across the border (FBI's rule), so you have to have the old fashion ink and roll prints taken.

While it is best to send a complete application, your FBI PCC isn't really needed by CIC until they begin stage 2 review (eligibility of applicant) which will be ~ 10 months away. You would have a file number long before that.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Are you applying inland or Outland? If the applicant is a us citizen it's generally recommended to apply Outland as landing as a pr typically happens in the same amount of time as stage 1 approval for inland. Also during Outland the applicant can travel back and forth freely, entering Canada as a visitor, and apply for an extension to stay for the duration of the application process.

 

[Ponga]

Are you applying inland or Outland? If the applicant is a us citizen it's generally recommended to apply Outland as landing as a pr typically happens in the same amount of time as stage 1 approval for inland. Also during Outland the applicant can travel back and forth freely, entering Canada as a visitor, and apply for an extension to stay for the duration of the application process.

Since the visa office is shown as Ottawa, it must be an Outland application.

If so, you have to wait to include the FBI PCC, since stage 2 happens much quicker than an Inland applicant.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Apparently you can even do your own fingerprints as its not a requirement for them to be taken by a technician. Just need to follow the directions on the website for taking valid prints by ink. There is a downloadable fingerprint card that can be sent in on regular printer paper.

 

[Ponga]

Apparently you can even do your own fingerprints as its not a requirement for them to be taken by a technician. Just need to follow the directions on the website for taking valid prints by ink. There is a downloadable fingerprint card that can be sent in on regular printer paper.

This is probably NOT a good idea, unless the person knows what they're doing. Many people have had their prints rejected...even those from experienced technicians!

As a matter of fact, it's not a bad idea to have 2 complete sets taken, just in case there's a problem with set #1. Most places offer a generous discount for a second set.

 

[rhcohen2014]

Since the visa office is shown as Ottawa, it must be an Outland application.

If so, you have to wait to include the FBI PCC, since stage 2 happens much quicker than an Inland applicant.

That's what I assumed. What I don't understand is waiting to submit application because of travel plans. That to me suggests an inland app, mistaking the rules or something completely unrelated to immigration.

 

[Ponga]

Yeah, hard to say for sure. The OP has previous posts from late 2011, so no idea where they are with their application now.

 

[beeelythe]

Are you applying inland or Outland? If the applicant is a us citizen it's generally recommended to apply Outland as landing as a pr typically happens in the same amount of time as stage 1 approval for inland. Also during Outland the applicant can travel back and forth freely, entering Canada as a visitor, and apply for an extension to stay for the duration of the application process.

We've been talking about permanent residence for a long time. I was a student in the US when we started dating and we were originally going to apply outland (I clearly need to update my information). My boyfriend is currently living in Canada with me and working under the NAFTA provision with a visa set to expire in March of next year. We want to apply inland so we can apply for the open work permit to extend his working time as well.

While the first stage of approval in applying outland is faster, the second stage is currently listed at 26 months, which is much longer than inland. And it wouldn't allow for the open work permit.

Thank you for all of your advice! I think we're going to go to a fingerprint technician instead of DIY'ing it because we don't want to take any chances.

However, if anyone else wants to weigh in, I'm always happy to hear more advice!