FBI Clearance

[triple p]

When is the best time to get my husband's (US Permanent Resident) FBI check completed? I understand that sometimes these clearances expire. How long is a FBI clearance valid for in the US? Is it best to do the FBI check just before we send in the application?

We are almost done our entire application and I understand that the FBI processing time could be up to 12 weeks. I'm debating whether we should send in the application now (& forward FBI letter when we receive it) or wait until we receive this letter from the FBI and then send the entire completed application package. I'm trying to figure out the fastest way to get our application processed. I appreciate your assistance!

 

[Kan_Sri]

It is better to get it done simultaneously - apply @ CIC-M and send in finger prints for FBI clearance. i am assuming you are applying for spousal PR. in spousal PR case, PCC is only required at STAGE 2 of the application. If you wait, you are basically adding 3 months your application process.

It is very rare that CIC asks for updated PCCs - so expired PCC is not very common. However medical valididy is 1 year - if that expires CIC will definetly ask you to get it redone.

When is the best time to get my husband's (US Permanent Resident) FBI check completed? I understand that sometimes these clearances expire. How long is a FBI clearance valid for in the US? Is it best to do the FBI check just before we send in the application?

We are almost done our entire application and I understand that the FBI processing time could be up to 12 weeks. I'm debating whether we should send in the application now (& forward FBI letter when we receive it) or wait until we receive this letter from the FBI and then send the entire completed application package. I'm trying to figure out the fastest way to get our application processed. I appreciate your assistance!

 

[rhcohen2014]

since the FBI record is now taking 12 weeks to process, it may be a good idea to send in the package first with a note explaining you will send in the record as soon as it arrives, and provide proof it's been requested. this way, the sponsor's applicaiton can start processing, and hopefully by the time it transfers to the visa office, you will have the record in hand. CIC will most likely request the record in the sponsor eligibility letter if it wasn't submitted upfront. The general rule is that CIC must receive the record (either in the original package or upon request) within 90 days if it being issued.

If you choose to wait to submit your package, you will want to double check that no forms had been updated during that wait. it is quite common for CIC to update forms, and if an outdated form is submitted, it runs the risk of having your entire application sent back.

 

[saria1]

since the FBI record is now taking 12 weeks to process, it may be a good idea to send in the package first with a note explaining you will send in the record as soon as it arrives, and provide proof it's been requested. this way, the sponsor's applicaiton can start processing, and hopefully by the time it transfers to the visa office, you will have the record in hand. CIC will most likely request the record in the sponsor eligibility letter if it wasn't submitted upfront. The general rule is that CIC must receive the record (either in the original package or upon request) within 90 days if it being issued.

If you choose to wait to submit your package, you will want to double check that no forms had been updated during that wait. it is quite common for CIC to update forms, and if an outdated form is submitted, it runs the risk of having your entire application sent back.

To add to this conversation. Where can I go for fingerprints? I'm calling all the local police departments along with the sheriffs office and they are all telling me they won't fingerprint for the FBI. Also, can the livescan be done?

 

[rhcohen2014]

To add to this conversation. Where can I go for fingerprints? I'm calling all the local police department along with the sheriffs office and they are all telling me they won't fingerprint for the FBI. Also, can the livescan be done?

are you in canada or the us right now?

I don't believe the FBI will accept digital prints - they must be ink. it's not worth risking 12 weeks of waiting just to be told your fingerprints are not accepted.

 

[saria1]

are you in canada or the us right now?

I'm in the US, in South Jersey.

 

[rhcohen2014]

I'm in the US, in South Jersey.

then that is so weird that your local police won't do it. i would call local board of education departments and see if they hold fingerprinting sessions. in CT, the local city would have a specific date a fingerprint person came in to do fingerprints, since all BOE applicants (ie: substitute teachers) need to be fingerprinted. I had no issue signing up and the guy didn't care my fingerprints were for something other than applying to work with the BOE. He got paid cash, so my cash was just as good as anyone elses.

if not, ask them if they know where you can get fingerprints done because most likely they will know vendors in the area. otherwise, you'll have to find a finerprint technician in your area that does the ink/roll method for FBI records. or worst case... take a trip to NYC or do it yourself (it's allowed - the risk is not doing them correctly and they get sent back).

 

[Abuelita]

I don't believe the FBI will accept digital prints - they must be ink. it's not worth risking 12 weeks of waiting just to be told your fingerprints are not accepted.

In reviewing yesterday the FBI web page, I read this among the requirements requested from the FBI:

" - Fingerprints taken with ink or via live scan are acceptable."

see:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/submitting-an-identity-history-summary-request-to-the-fbi

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

 

[keesio]

I'm in the US, in South Jersey.

There should be private places you can go. My wife went to this one in NYC:
http://www.l1enrollment.com/state/?st=ny

They were pretty good. She has dry hands with poor ridges and were able to get decent prints at this private place after her attempt at her local police station did not yield good prints.

Looks like they have locations in New Jersey too:
http://www.l1enrollment.com/locations/?st=nj

 

[keesio]

In reviewing yesterday the FBI web page, I read this among the requirements requested from the FBI:

" - Fingerprints taken with ink or via live scan are acceptable."

see:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/submitting-an-identity-history-summary-request-to-the-fbi

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

Live scan is accepted as long as the scanned prints are then printed on to an FD-258 card that you would mail yourself to the FBI. What is not accepted is having a third party electronically send the scanned prints to the FBI.

 

[saria1]

Live scan is accepted as long as the scanned prints are then printed on to an FD-258 card that you would mail yourself to the FBI. What is not accepted is having a third party electronically send the scanned prints to the FBI.

We have a solution, my neighbor, now a state police officer. He contacted his old precinct and they will fingerprint my husband on Tuesday..... One less bullet dodge!