Nitpicky questions...

[rhcohen2014]

Is this true?? I was under the impression that one had to submit police certs upfront with an outland application, otherwise it could be returned as incomplete. Actually they're the only thing holding me back from sending my application.

yes, it is true that applications have not been sent back purely because of no medical or police report and it's true that some applications have been sent back because they weren't submitted. while it's listed as a required document for the applicant, the medical and PCC don't bear on the sponsor's eligibility, so CIC has looked the other way and continued processing the sponsor's portion for the majority of those reporting doing this. there are also people who's applications have been returned because they are not in there. there's no knowing what CIC will decide to do in the moment, so that's why it's advised to follow the list of required documents upon submission.

for those applications who have experienced no issue with it, CIC requests the documents in the sponsor eligibility letter, so it's essential they are submitted ASAP. There have been plenty of applicants who have had no issue while doing that, and there are others who have experienced delays in PR approval because if it. for the most part, for those people who have sent them in upon request in the SA, if it was received before the file was open, then there has been no issue. Since ottawa has been opening files a lot quicker these days, there is a higher of a chance the file can be opened before it's attached, and cause delay in a decision.

 

[rhcohen2014]

...I now have another silly question. We had scheduled an appointment to have my husband's FBI check done through an electronic provider. I've since learned they provide an official PDF document but do not provide "apostille" service. What we will receive is the official report but it will be PDF only. Is this a problem in our case?

yes this is a problem. cic will NOT accept reports from third party channelers, and this is clearly stated in the guide. you must get the report from the FBI directly which is on watermarked paper. it is quite easy to do, although now the wait time has significantly increased to 12 weeks because of a system change.

here is the link:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

 

[sillyrichie]

yes this is a problem. cic will NOT accept reports from third party channelers, and this is clearly stated in the guide. you must get the report from the FBI directly which is on watermarked paper. it is quite easy to do, although now the wait time has significantly increased to 12 weeks because of a system change.

here is the link:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

Good to know. Thanks for the info. I'm cancelling our appointment with the channeler and getting the record check form ready to go now. 12 weeks...that's 3 months....*sigh*

 

[rhcohen2014]

Good to know. Thanks for the info. I'm cancelling our appointment with the channeler and getting the record check form ready to go now. 12 weeks...that's 3 months....*sigh*

because of this new wait time (it's generally 30ish days), it's probably best to submit the application without the police record. cic seems to turn their head about it, so generally it doesn't affect the sponsor's eligibility part of the application. by the time they request it, hopefully you'll have it in your hand.

 

[sillyrichie]

because of this new wait time (it's generally 30ish days), it's probably best to submit the application without the police record. cic seems to turn their head about it, so generally it doesn't affect the sponsor's eligibility part of the application. by the time they request it, hopefully you'll have it in your hand.

Oh, ok. Thanks for the reassurance - you've been REALLY helpful! I appreciate it a lot.

 

[Claudzilla]

Sillyrichie,

Just to quadruple confirm what everyone else has said (because I've JUST gone through it all myself, from the US)...

It is best to submit your medicals with your application and the doc's office does NOT need your "special number".
You can submit your FBI creds after submitting your application (though I was luckily able to time this out so that it went with my initial application).
And it will take, in my case, just over 30 days to receive your FBI doc.

On the off chance you're in the TN area, let me know, and I can give you my (nightmarish) experiences with the doctors offices in Memphis and Louisville, KY.

 

[rhcohen2014]

And it will take, in my case, just over 30 days to receive your FBI doc.

not anymore. there is a notice on the fbi site that currently states it will take 12 weeks to process requests due to a system change. fbi records are not taking 30ish days right now.

 

[sillyrichie]

Sillyrichie,

Just to quadruple confirm what everyone else has said (because I've JUST gone through it all myself, from the US)...

It is best to submit your medicals with your application and the doc's office does NOT need your "special number".
You can submit your FBI creds after submitting your application (though I was luckily able to time this out so that it went with my initial application).
And it will take, in my case, just over 30 days to receive your FBI doc.

On the off chance you're in the TN area, let me know, and I can give you my (nightmarish) experiences with the doctors offices in Memphis and Louisville, KY.

Thanks! We're doing the FBI check today, and I'm asking the husband when he'd like to try and schedule his medical for. Just heard back from the office (Chapel Hill, NC - it's the closest one to my town in VA) - THEY told ME that we'd be doing an upfront medical exam because Travis is being sponsored, and that they are connected to emedical. Phew!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Also, CIC is much more forgiving when an applicant acknowledges and explains the reason behind the absence of a document instead of just not including it.

Include a letter with the PR app explaining that you've applied for the FBI cert and will forward it on as soon as it arrives. If you have a receipt, attach a copy to the letter.