What to do if background check doesn't arrive?

[JamesinCanada]

My wife and I are applying for her permanent residency (inland, she's from the US). We are going to send in our application for her criminal record check from the FBI tomorrow, but there's an alert on the FBI site stating that the current time for processing these requests is 12-16 weeks. This means that the police check might not arrive until after her deadline to stay in Canada has passed.

What should we do if the check doesn't get here on time? Should we contact CIC and let them know that this might happen? (We will be sending our application as soon as all the documents get in). She has received one six-month extension already because we weren't married until the end of her six months (we were just dating and didn't get married until the end of her stay). I know you're not supposed to send in incomplete applications, and it's not a good idea to stay in Canada illegally obviously...so what do we do if the record check doesn't arrive on time?

 

[Ponga]

Why are you submitting an Inland application?

Do you realize that an Outland application for her would probably be completed in 6-8 months...versus 2 years (estimated) for an Inland application?!

 

[JamesinCanada]

Why are you submitting an Inland application?

Do you realize that an Outland application for her would probably be completed in 6-8 months...versus 2 years (estimated) for an Inland application?!

I didn't realize that was possible - since she's in Canada right now, I thought we had to apply inland. If it's possible and faster to apply outland, I'd love to! Thanks!

But as to the original question, what do we do about this record check? If we don't have the documents on time, we won't be able to apply at all...or is there another way?

 

[Ponga]

YES! She can submit an Outland application even if she is IN Canada. She just needs to maintain her visitor status.

You can usually get some extra time from CIC for the FBI report, since they seem to understand the delay in receiving the FBI PCC. Most people just include a note with their application and a copy of the receipt for the FBI check, explaining that it has been `ordered' and will be forwarded to them upon receipt.

Up until recently, CIC was accepting FBI reports from third-party channellers, but it looks like that has been changed as of 9 March 2015. No idea why they pulled the plug (if they really did).

Good luck!

 

[JamesinCanada]

YES! She can submit an Outland application even if she is IN Canada. She just needs to maintain her visitor status.

You can usually get some extra time from CIC for the FBI report, since they seem to understand the delay in receiving the FBI PCC. Most people just include a note with their application and a copy of the receipt for the FBI check, explaining that it has been `ordered' and will be forwarded to them upon receipt.

Up until recently, CIC was accepting FBI reports from third-party channellers, but it looks like that has been changed as of 9 March 2015. No idea why they pulled the plug (if they really did).

Good luck!

THANK YOU! This is the biggest relief of my entire day. I thought it'd be a lot worse.

Since you mentioned outland, I've been trying to find it on the CIC site, but I can't seem to find how to apply outland instead of inland. How do we do this? Is it a whole different application, or do we just send it to the US processing office (since she's from the US)?

 

[Ponga]

THANK YOU! This is the biggest relief of my entire day. I thought it'd be a lot worse.

Since you mentioned outland, I've been trying to find it on the CIC site, but I can't seem to find how to apply outland instead of inland. How do we do this? Is it a whole different application, or do we just send it to the US processing office (since she's from the US)?

Slightly different application:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3999Etoc.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf

 

[Ponga]

The caveat is...she wouldn't be eligible for an Open Work Permit, but...the overall process should be waaaaaay faster!


Unless CIC doubts the relationship and schedules an interview, which would be conducted in the U.S., and/or her application is NOT processed in Ottawa for some reason. The vast majority of American citizens do benefit from faster processing.

 

[JamesinCanada]

Slightly different application:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3999Etoc.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3910e.pdf

This really helps. Thanks so much for this! It's a huge relief.