Criminal record checks....wait for letter requesting or is file number enough?

[Beeo08]

I just sent the application last week and it says on DHL it was received today.

We didn't send the criminal record checks as it says on the website that we are supposed to wait until they send a letter requesting them.

Question:

1.) How long into the process do they usually request them?

2.) We need two criminal records checks. One from Colombia where my wife is from and the other from Mexico as she lived there for a year. Do we have to wait until they request it or can you just send in your file number to get it done? It seems that they say to wait until you receive the letter but then again I've also heard people on the forum saying the requested it with just the file number.

One reason I'm wondering is because I've heard that the Mexican one can take 2-3 months to get done, when you are out of the country.

Thanks!

 

[sawadee-eh]

If you are able to get them done before CIC requests I would suggest doing so. The reason is some countries take a long time (as you mentioned) to process them which would really delay your application. For us, CIC's site says to wait because Thailand needs a request letter, but we got it no problem and sent it in to add to our app in order to (hopefully) reduce any possible delays.

We did print out and fill out this PDF form available from CIC website, but don't know if that made a difference.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/pdf/PC_LetterA_e.pdf

Hope that helps!

 

[TANMEX]

I just sent the application last week and it says on DHL it was received today.

We didn't send the criminal record checks as it says on the website that we are supposed to wait until they send a letter requesting them.

Question:

1.) How long into the process do they usually request them?

2.) We need two criminal records checks. One from Colombia where my wife is from and the other from Mexico as she lived there for a year. Do we have to wait until they request it or can you just send in your file number to get it done? It seems that they say to wait until you receive the letter but then again I've also heard people on the forum saying the requested it with just the file number.

One reason I'm wondering is because I've heard that the Mexican one can take 2-3 months to get done, when you are out of the country.

Thanks!

To get one from Mexico you need a letter from the embassy . I have tried to do it before BUT PGR insisted on the letter .

 

[Beeo08]

I'm not sure if that's true. That seems to be the case if you live in Mexico, as the instructions state:

You must apply to the Mexican authorities, Procuraduría General de la República (PGR). Further instructions and an official letter of request for a police certificate will be sent to you after your Application for Permanent Residence has been reviewed.

But if you don't live in Mexico, the instructions seem to state that you only need a file number to send it:

You must first submit your Application for Permanent Residence. The Canadian Embassy in Mexico will request a police certificate on your behalf after you provide all of the following:

Two sets of original fingerprints that meet these standards:
rolled and flat impressions of all ten fingers taken with black ink
full name, date of birth and sex
the name and address of the police agency where the fingerprints were taken
the signature of the officer taking the fingerprints
To have your fingerprints taken:

In Canada: Contact a fingerprinting agency, or visit your local police station.
In any other country: Visit your local police station. In some countries the Mexican Embassy or Consulate will be able to assist you.
Three passport-size (4.5 cm × 3.5 cm) photographs of front profile (no makeup, earrings, glasses, or facial hair – no exceptions)
Three passport-size (4.5 cm × 3.5 cm) photographs of right profile (no makeup, earrings, glasses, or facial hair – no exceptions)
One clear, legible copy of your passport bio-page (with your picture and full name)
Quote your file number, your name, and date of birth.
Please send all five items to:

Embassy of Canada, Immigration Section
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 193, Col. Granada
C.P. 11520, D.F.
MEXICO

So why don't I just send it in then? It's because at the top of the page, of all pages for that matter, it says that you need to wait for a letter and bring it with you, but in this case, it doesn't say to send in a letter but rather just a file number.

Anyways, I guess I'm wondering if once we get the file number and I send it in, if they will know that we haven't officially received the letter yet and that will hurt us or maybe we should just send it once we get it, as I've heard it can take 2 to 3 months for a background check if you are outside of Mexico.