Hello! Finally starting PR process! Have a few questions.

[Zarilenth]

We haven't done that part for FBI yet. Do we pay online BEFORE we send off the prints/paperwork? We monitor our bank account closely so I will for sure watch out for that.

BTW, totally off topic. I'm pretty new to posting so I was wondering how you "rate" people. I'd love to give everyone who helps me a positive rating. Someone already gave me a -1 rating. What the heck?! hahah

I gave you a +1, haha. Some people don't like newbies, maybe, lol.

Also, about the FBI check, I can double check with my husband but I think he paid online before sending off the prints? I think the place that does the fingerprinting sends off the prints as well as a receipt you print off? In this case someone else might be able to give you better information as I wasn't with my husband when he did them and didn't ask for details. All I do know if you have to get them done through the FBI, not through a channeler. CIC won't accept them, even though they are typically done faster.

I read this website: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/criminal-history-summary-checks/submitting-a-criminal-history-summary-request-to-the-fbi
and from what it says I would say pay the 18 bucks, print out a receipt, get the fingerprinting done, and then mail them off with the receipt included

Edit: I see, Alurra cleared that up You fill in the form online and include that with the fingerprints to mail off. Thats why they won't charge your card till the start processing the fingerprints. Makes sense!

 

[lleahdoll]

You don't pay for you FBI fingerprints online. You fill out the credit card paper that you can d/l from the FBI website. It gives you all the necessary information. If you are paying with say your visa debit card, make sure you remember to sign the form. They will not charge your account until they have completed your request so it can take a while to show up on your account. When I did mine, it was roughly a 6 week turn around and at about 5 weeks and a couple days, the charge hit my card and just about exactly at 6 weeks I had my report in hand. Keep in mind that FBI report is only good for 90 days from the date printed on it. You MUST get it turned in with your application before that time frame is up if you want them to accept it. You won't have to do another (rare rare rare that another PCC is requested) so don't worry about that. I also included a state PCC with my application to cover any bases just in case they decided to ask. I wanted them to know I didn't even have so much as a parking ticket! LOL

Anyway, I also came from the US, but my application was completed Inland. They are mostly the same so if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Oh, and one more thing. When they ask a US citizen for the passport, it is ONLY the bio data and such they want, so a photo copy is all they really need, they don't need the actual passport as we don't require a visa foil to travel to Canada. Hope that helped alleviate any anxiety about a lost passport!

Good luck.

Ah yes yes. I think I remember reading that on the FBI site when I printed the fingerprint card.
That's going to be nerve racking... having to wait a few weeks before they even charge the card!! Thank you for the heads up on that!
So I suppose while I'm waiting for the Police Record to come back, I will do all the other paper work so it can be sent in together right away!

Thanks so much!! I won't hesitate! I usually ask too many questions!

Yes, it does, thank you

 

[lleahdoll]

I gave you a +1, haha. Some people don't like newbies, maybe, lol.

Also, about the FBI check, I can double check with my husband but I think he paid online before sending off the prints? I think the place that does the fingerprinting sends off the prints as well as a receipt you print off? In this case someone else might be able to give you better information as I wasn't with my husband when he did them and didn't ask for details. All I do know if you have to get them done through the FBI, not through a channeler. CIC won't accept them, even though they are typically done faster.

I read this website: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/criminal-history-summary-checks/submitting-a-criminal-history-summary-request-to-the-fbi
and from what it says I would say pay the 18 bucks, print out a receipt, get the fingerprinting done, and then mail them off with the receipt included

Edit: I see, Alurra cleared that up You fill in the form online and include that with the fingerprints to mail off. Thats why they won't charge your card till the start processing the fingerprints. Makes sense!

Well, everyone is a newbie at some point, right?! Silly people...
Ah, thank you


Thank you for the link, I will re-familiarize myself with that!
I got my fingerprints done at the local police station and sending it to the FBI.
I'm hoping they send everything back in less than 12 weeks like I've heard!

 

[Alurra71]

Ah yes yes. I think I remember reading that on the FBI site when I printed the fingerprint card.
That's going to be nerve racking... having to wait a few weeks before they even charge the card!! Thank you for the heads up on that!
So I suppose while I'm waiting for the Police Record to come back, I will do all the other paper work so it can be sent in together right away!

Thanks so much!! I won't hesitate! I usually ask too many questions!

Yes, it does, thank you

yes Indeed, get working on that. It is a LOT of information to digest, believe me! Also you will want to have your medical exam done as close to your sending in your application as possible. You must have this done from a CIC panel approved physician. You can look on the CIC website to find one in your area, however, if you have the inclination, I would travel to Canada to have this completed as from what I have seen it is much more inexpensive to have it done in Canada. You are going to have to pay for that out of pocket in either case, so figure out which way you want to go. I had mine done in Windsor, Ontario (that was my local office as well) so I only paid like $255 to get a complete one, as opposed to the $400 + it would've cost me to have one done in Michigan, just over the border in the US. Yep, some things in Canada are much more expensive, but some things are not. LOL

 

[marlasinger]

hi there, i just wanted to add something about doing the medical exam...the only reason i bring it up is because typically getting an appointment with a CIC approved doctor can take some time, especially if you're doing the exam in the States. If you're applying outland it has to be done upfront and the receipt sent in with your application. since you said you visit Canada seemly often for long periods of time, I would suggest, like Alurra, to have the exam done in Canada. It's typically much cheaper and getting an open appointment slot doesn't take as long. with my husband, we did his medical first (cost $390 all together for him and his 2 children) and requested his background once it was done to ensure the 90 day expiry date on the background check didn't come and go waiting for a medical appointment. just something to look into before you send anything in to the FBI since the wait times are down to a month for it...just in case you can't get an appointment for a couple of months. good luck

 

[lleahdoll]

I actually was going to do the medical exam last Friday. Because of reasons we weren't able to make the appointment. But we made the appointment just a week beforehand. Took no time at all thank goodness! And it costs $230, they send everything in and do photos there. So I thought it'd make sense to wait a little before doing the medical. Since they'll send in my results but immigration won't even have a file for me yet! haha

 

[marlasinger]

I actually was going to do the medical exam last Friday. Because of reasons we weren't able to make the appointment. But we made the appointment just a week beforehand. Took no time at all thank goodness! And it costs $230, they send everything in and do photos there. So I thought it'd make sense to wait a little before doing the medical. Since they'll send in my results but immigration won't even have a file for me yet! haha

we did the same. the doctor did everything in the same building - xrays and blood work and gave us a "family" discount - we were in and out in just over an hour. then CIC had the results about 5 weeks before we sent in the application. I figured that was a good cushion for getting things sent between doctor and immigration - some people send in their application and then get a notice from CIC that their medical exams aren't in the system. I was going a little crazy trying to plan every part of the app to make sure we avoided as many delays as possible. so far so good *knock on wood*

sounds like you've got everything under control, I'm sure you'll have no problems at all! here's hoping for quick processing too!

 

[lleahdoll]

we did the same. the doctor did everything in the same building - xrays and blood work and gave us a "family" discount - we were in and out in just over an hour. then CIC had the results about 5 weeks before we sent in the application. I figured that was a good cushion for getting things sent between doctor and immigration - some people send in their application and then get a notice from CIC that their medical exams aren't in the system. I was going a little crazy trying to plan every part of the app to make sure we avoided as many delays as possible. so far so good *knock on wood*

sounds like you've got everything under control, I'm sure you'll have no problems at all! here's hoping for quick processing too!

So they sent your medical before you even had a file with immigration?? And they matched up your medical fine once you actually submitted your application? That's what I was worried about which is why I delayed the medical exam until I at least get the police record back.

Yes, I am trying to avoid any delays as well which is why I'm being so anal about when I do each step. XD hahah!

Aw thank you!! I've been researching every aspect since November 2012, although at the time I was considering common-law. Once we got engaged, family sponsorship seemed the best route!

 

[marlasinger]

So they sent your medical before you even had a file with immigration?? And they matched up your medical fine once you actually submitted your application? That's what I was worried about which is why I delayed the medical exam until I at least get the police record back.

Yes, I am trying to avoid any delays as well which is why I'm being so anal about when I do each step. XD hahah!

Aw thank you!! I've been researching every aspect since November 2012, although at the time I was considering common-law. Once we got engaged, family sponsorship seemed the best route!

When you do the medical everything is sent electronically to CIC. So when they generate your results it's given a file number by the doc's office. before you leave the medical exam they give you a receipt that will have all your personal information, the picture they took of you and barcode version of your file number. you send that receipt in with your application and when they start processing your file the barcode will link them to the file online and everything is brought together. so at least that's one less thing you have to worry about.

totally understand, I was the same way. It's my husband's application but I had to do it myself (with his help of course) or I would have gone crazy worrying about everything being done properly or in the most efficient way. even how I organized the package was colour coded - purple paperclip, posts and file folder for sponsor, teal for applicant, lime green for proof of relationship - CIC probably thinks I have OCD. at least my husband is understanding enough to just let me take control. maybe in 10 years it will something he hates, but for now it's a cute quirk haha.

by the time I started my research to the time the file was sent off was basically nine months, it was like giving birth. it's a lot of work, so stressful and so many unknowns that might give you facial twitches, but once it's gone and you start getting good letters back from CIC you start to relax

 

[lleahdoll]

When you do the medical everything is sent electronically to CIC. So when they generate your results it's given a file number by the doc's office. before you leave the medical exam they give you a receipt that will have all your personal information, the picture they took of you and barcode version of your file number. you send that receipt in with your application and when they start processing your file the barcode will link them to the file online and everything is brought together. so at least that's one less thing you have to worry about.

totally understand, I was the same way. It's my husband's application but I had to do it myself (with his help of course) or I would have gone crazy worrying about everything being done properly or in the most efficient way. even how I organized the package was colour coded - purple paperclip, posts and file folder for sponsor, teal for applicant, lime green for proof of relationship - CIC probably thinks I have OCD. at least my husband is understanding enough to just let me take control. maybe in 10 years it will something he hates, but for now it's a cute quirk haha.

by the time I started my research to the time the file was sent off was basically nine months, it was like giving birth. it's a lot of work, so stressful and so many unknowns that might give you facial twitches, but once it's gone and you start getting good letters back from CIC you start to relax

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! See, I have not read that once on this forum! About the barcode and they match it up once you send in your application! Wow, that is very useful to know!!! I was thinking they'd search for an application to match the medical and toss it if they found nothing! hahah!!!

I will definitely be doing most of the work. Mostly because my husband works and I do not so I have loads of free time. And he is so laid back in regards to us going through this process. He thinks nothing will go wrong. Even though with everything else he is a "worst case scenario" type of person. Figures this would be the one thing he's chill about and I get to stress about! lol
Everything is a cute quirk in the beginning, huh? We're still in that stage as well... haha!!

Bahaha!!! I feel like I'm doing a research paper. Because I am doing all this research, then putting everything together and adding "sources" (relationship proof, etc.) and their final verdict will be my grade!! It's college all over again!! Ick!!
I can not WAIT for the good letters to come!!!

 

[marlasinger]

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! See, I have not read that once on this forum! About the barcode and they match it up once you send in your application! Wow, that is very useful to know!!! I was thinking they'd search for an application to match the medical and toss it if they found nothing! hahah!!!

I will definitely be doing most of the work. Mostly because my husband works and I do not so I have loads of free time. And he is so laid back in regards to us going through this process. He thinks nothing will go wrong. Even though with everything else he is a "worst case scenario" type of person. Figures this would be the one thing he's chill about and I get to stress about! lol
Everything is a cute quirk in the beginning, huh? We're still in that stage as well... haha!!

Bahaha!!! I feel like I'm doing a research paper. Because I am doing all this research, then putting everything together and adding "sources" (relationship proof, etc.) and their final verdict will be my grade!! It's college all over again!! Ick!!
I can not WAIT for the good letters to come!!!

the answers to the random questions is harder to come by around here sometimes, for sure. glad I was able to give you some brand new information! haha!

oh wow, my husband is the exact same way. he spent the summer selling his house, and every day he was doom & gloom about it never selling and everything was worst case scenario. he was in the bank with the couple that was buying the house, ready to sign all the final papers and he was still sending me texts saying he was scared they were going to back out of buying the place! but with the PR stuff, he seems pretty confident and I'm the one stressing out. on my sponsorship forms I accidentally put N/A on a question that I was supposed to answer and once i realized AFTER I sent the application in I immediately I went into panic mode thinking they were going to send the whole thing back to me. I scared the sh*t out of my husband, apparently. It ended up they never said a word about it and I got SA in 28 days. sometimes I have to remember to breathe lol

ughhh college papers. philosophy was the worst for me...my professor was this hippie granola guy who would just on a friday be like, "dudes and dudettes, I want a 5 page essay on Kant before noon on Sunday and I'm going to count it as part of your mid-term. peace" and suddenly I'd be calling into work and pulling an all-nighter. this wasn't quite as bad as that, but I might be speeding up the aging process just a bit going through this. It's just so much work to be able to start a life with the one you love! borders suck. we should all just be canadian haha.

also, i love your little signature

 

[lleahdoll]

the answers to the random questions is harder to come by around here sometimes, for sure. glad I was able to give you some brand new information! haha!

oh wow, my husband is the exact same way. he spent the summer selling his house, and every day he was doom & gloom about it never selling and everything was worst case scenario. he was in the bank with the couple that was buying the house, ready to sign all the final papers and he was still sending me texts saying he was scared they were going to back out of buying the place! but with the PR stuff, he seems pretty confident and I'm the one stressing out. on my sponsorship forms I accidentally put N/A on a question that I was supposed to answer and once i realized AFTER I sent the application in I immediately I went into panic mode thinking they were going to send the whole thing back to me. I scared the sh*t out of my husband, apparently. It ended up they never said a word about it and I got SA in 28 days. sometimes I have to remember to breathe lol

ughhh college papers. philosophy was the worst for me...my professor was this hippie granola guy who would just on a friday be like, "dudes and dudettes, I want a 5 page essay on Kant before noon on Sunday and I'm going to count it as part of your mid-term. peace" and suddenly I'd be calling into work and pulling an all-nighter. this wasn't quite as bad as that, but I might be speeding up the aging process just a bit going through this. It's just so much work to be able to start a life with the one you love! borders suck. we should all just be canadian haha.

also, i love your little signature

Men... they are chill about the things you need them to stress with you about.. go figure! haha Actually glad he is chill about it or else he'd probably stress me out more than I already am.

Borders DO suck!!! I like to think about how easy it use to be for people to just up and move to another country. No immigration papers required.

Aw, thank you ^_^ I saw a couple posters had similar ones so I looked it up! I will change it to a PR ticker once I submit my application!

 

[marlasinger]

Men... they are chill about the things you need them to stress with you about.. go figure! haha Actually glad he is chill about it or else he'd probably stress me out more than I already am.

Borders DO suck!!! I like to think about how easy it use to be for people to just up and move to another country. No immigration papers required.

Aw, thank you ^_^ I saw a couple posters had similar ones so I looked it up! I will change it to a PR ticker once I submit my application!

well, then I've copied you and anyone else with that ticker. super cute.

good luck with everything! x

 

[lleahdoll]

well, then I've copied you and anyone else with that ticker. super cute.

good luck with everything! x

Isn't it?

Thanks so much! Good luck to you as well!! ;D

 

[taffy7]

Just one more thing , photo copy as much as the paper work that you are sending in just incase they lose anything. Then you won't have to try finding it all again .... Its a pain but better safe. Men are allergic to paper work didn't you know that lol .