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PCC for USA

21Goose

VIP Member
Nov 10, 2016
5,246
1,616
AOR Received.
Feb 2017
Why do people insist on not following the rules? Trying to game the system could get you a five year ban on immigrating. You really want to risk that?

To everyone asking about the Channeler service - please go read the official FBI instructions here -> https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

Specifically, look at this section on the page.

An FBI-approved Channeler may only process requests for a U.S. person (an individual who is a citizen of the U.S. or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.). A lawful permanent resident is any person not a citizen of the U.S. who is residing in the U.S. under legally recognized and lawfully recorded permanent residence as an immigrant (also known “Permanent Resident Alien,” “Resident Alien Permit Holder,” and “Green Card Holder”).

If you are NOT a US Citizen/Green Card Holder/Permanent Resident Alien, you are going against the express direction of the FBI. This is not a minor issue - this can get your application rejected.

The two letters do NOT look the same. CIC can easily tell that you got this through a channeler. Now, they may choose to ignore this, or they may choose to reject your application. If they choose to reject your application, you have no recourse - you cannot complain and say you didn't know this, or blame it on an agent, or say that your agency promised that it was the same - this is your decision and you will have to own it.

For a decision as major as moving to another country, why are you trying to save a few weeks? Especially since the CIC makes it very easy to submit your AoR without the FBI verification. You just have to add a LoE with proof that you submitted your fingerprints (FedEx/UPS shipping receipt), and they will give you extra time to get it from the FBI. They are reasonable about this, and it really isn't a big deal.

The risk/reward calculation does not make sense. You are risking the rejection (and possible barring for five years) of your application, while the reward is that you save a maximum of 3 months? And that's not even going into the money that you're paying to a shady agent who will happily tell you that it's all the same thing, of course you will get it, etc. etc. He isn't affected if your application gets rejected.

I'm a non-US citizen living in the US. I submitted my fingerprints to the FBI on November 23, and received my PCC on January 17. The process is easy, and getting fingerprints is no big deal. You can even do it yourself, check Youtube and you'll find lots of videos telling you how to do it.
 

Maverick28

VIP Member
Feb 5, 2017
3,123
823
Canada
21Goose said:
Why do people insist on not following the rules? Trying to game the system could get you a five year ban on immigrating. You really want to risk that?
Even I don't get it. If you cannot or do not want to follow the rules, why do you even plan on immigrating to a country where you will have to follow all the rules? There is a process and everyone has to go through it. Why do they want to cut corners? What they don't realize is that in this way, they are hurting themselves only.

CIC is not dumb. They know what all shortcuts applicants take. Just take the example of CRS points for job offers. They came to know about the fraud going on where people were just buying positive LMIA to get 600 points, and they took action. Express Entry is still a new system and CIC is keeping an eye on everything. Do not mess around with it.
 

neha986

Member
Dec 26, 2016
12
0
India
NOC Code......
2171
Nomination.....
19-04-2017
I think you guys should check the timeline mentioned on FBI website, I have not done this before and I am quoting those timelines only.
 

Maverick28

VIP Member
Feb 5, 2017
3,123
823
Canada
neha986 said:
I think you guys should check the timeline mentioned on FBI website, I have not done this before and I am quoting those timelines only.
And you should check the timelines of people who got their FBI PCC done recently. And the timeline of others on the FBI PCC tracker.

I just got my PCC and took 60 days.
 

canadabus

Full Member
Apr 9, 2017
29
19
karthik2479 said:
Where are you based? I am in the US and got it done from the local county sheriff's office. They do this for USD 10 and print it directly on the card which can be shipped to FBI.

If you are in India, google and see - many services are coming up. They will have the FD-258 fingerprint card. Just get the fingerprints from them and ship it to FBI on your own. Am unable to post links but Google for your city and you can find it. Worst case, print the card from FBI wesbite on stock paper (the one used for visiting cards) and ask if your local police station can help put the prints. Please take multiple sets if possible since they will reject it if it's not clear and you will have to start again.

Hope this helps.
Hello. I am based in Bangalore India now. Where in bangalore do i get help ? tried the local police station and they have no idea.
 

karthik2479

Hero Member
Apr 19, 2017
608
174
canadabus said:
Hello. I am based in Bangalore India now. Where in bangalore do i get help ? tried the local police station and they have no idea.
Googled and found these - check with them
http://www.fingerprintexperts.in/bengaluru.html
http://www.fingerprintexpert.in/fingerprints-for-pcc-bangalore.html
http://www.fingerprintingexpertbangalore.com/
 

ash_b

Full Member
Oct 5, 2015
46
1
Hi All,

Once the mail (courier) is delivered to FBI, how long do they take on an average to acknowledge?

Does they ack via email?

Thanks!
 

ash_b

Full Member
Oct 5, 2015
46
1
No acknowledgement, you have to track with your courier company.
So I understand they may take 2 months to provide the results of PCC. In case they take longer that exceeds the 3 months period to submit application, what proofs can we submit in LoE if they dont provide with an acknowledgement?
 

karthik2479

Hero Member
Apr 19, 2017
608
174
So I understand they may take 2 months to provide the results of PCC. In case they take longer that exceeds the 3 months period to submit application, what proofs can we submit in LoE if they dont provide with an acknowledgement?
You should submit proof of application delivery (courier receipt, tracking results) or proof of credit card charged by FBI - as long as you can show that you submitted your application right after the ITA you will be ok. Then you can submit the PCC via CSE once you have it from FBI

Hope this helps.
 

ash_b

Full Member
Oct 5, 2015
46
1
Hello,

Although may not be relevant to the forum title, i thought of posting it over here to get inputs from applicants who have resided in the U.S.

I have visited several stores asking for help with photos soft copies per CIC standards. Almost all the stores - Walmart, Walgreens, Fred Myer, Target etc. do not provide with a soft copy. Is any one aware of any photo studio/store that provides with both hard & soft copies?

Thanks!
 

andyding13

Hero Member
Feb 11, 2017
241
77
Hello,

Although may not be relevant to the forum title, i thought of posting it over here to get inputs from applicants who have resided in the U.S.

I have visited several stores asking for help with photos soft copies per CIC standards. Almost all the stores - Walmart, Walgreens, Fred Myer, Target etc. do not provide with a soft copy. Is any one aware of any photo studio/store that provides with both hard & soft copies?

Thanks!
You can scan the printed hard copy to get a digital version.
 

mgnlky

Champion Member
Jan 22, 2016
1,558
277
Vancouver
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
1122
Pre-Assessed..
Yes
App. Filed.......
22-12-2016
AOR Received.
22-12-2016
Med's Done....
04-11-2016
Passport Req..
22-3-2017
LANDED..........
04-09-2017
Yes, and there is no harm in that. This is a flaw in the process that we need to provide docs in 3 months and FBI is taking more that 3 months to provide the report to people outside US.
CIC is well aware the FBI has a backlog, and will allow you time to submit the PCC as long as you submit proof of applying for it at time of submitting your PR application.