+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

US Police Clearance: FBI Processing Times

Decoy24601

Champion Member
Aug 13, 2015
1,511
52
Vancouver, BC
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-04-2016
AOR Received.
28-04-2016
File Transfer...
SA 27-05-2016
Med's Done....
23-03-2016 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
VISA ISSUED...
07-06-2016
LANDED..........
06-07-2016
Here goes my (incomplete) timeline: Prints were received October 16th, they charged the credit card February 18, 2016. The lady at the call center told me they processed and mailed my application on February 22, 2016. She also said they are taking about 16.5 weeks to process applications right now, not the 13-15 weeks the website says. It took about 18 weeks for them to even charge my card, but I'm fairly certain mine got a little out of order.

Does anyone have experience with how long it takes to receive the prints in Canada? (I live in around Vancouver, BC)
 

nz

Star Member
Oct 22, 2015
66
1
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Decoy24601 said:
I called the FBI outside of hours and left a message with my information. They called me back no more than an hour later and looked it up for me and said it was processed yesterday and that their current processing time is 16.5 weeks. From the tone of her voice, she was surprised that my application was taking 18 weeks to process.

I'm so so relieved.
Hi, what information did you provide? I want to call them and ask about my application, they should have received it on October 30th. Thanks
 

nz

Star Member
Oct 22, 2015
66
1
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
I just called the FBI, and they told me that my application is in the last stage of processing and will be mailed out today (Feb 25). They received it on October 30th. Hope this helps some of you trying to figure out your own timelines.

Also I asked her how long she thinks it will take to reach Toronto/Canada, and she said probably 7-9 days.
 

dennyflex

Full Member
Sep 28, 2012
39
1
Hello guys,
My cc was charged by FBI on the 25th of this month. they received my application on the 30th of october last year. hopefully i should be receiving it soon
 

Gypsysoul

Full Member
Jan 7, 2016
32
0
URGENT!!!! I cannot find the address for sending in the fbi proof? Its case processing centre ottawa family reunification unit??? Help!
 

encanta

Newbie
Sep 14, 2015
7
0
Hello, Just want to share my experience on FBI Report request:

My FBI Clearance application got to FBI office on the 20th October 2015, I got a feedback from FBI via mail with the Clearance certificate/report on the 21st of February 2016.

Before I got this feedback, I had requested for extension on two occasions. it started by them giving me a deadline of 14th Dec 2015, followed by another deadline of 1st February 2016. Finally, they gave an intent to deny deadline of 30 days on the 8th of February. But luckily for me I received the report on the 21st of February.

I submitted the FBI Report on the 22nd and today, I received an email from my CIC, local VO, requesting that i submit my passport and that of my family within 15 days.

The Issue now is that my family stays in the US and I am in Africa, how do I send these passports from two different countries to my Local Visa Office in Accra. Suggestions are welcomed.
 

zacknling

Full Member
Jun 21, 2014
34
0
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
08-07-2014
Hi encanta,

I saw a similar case in another topic, I think what you can do is request to change your VO.
Below is the copied from other forum, I cannot guarantee if its 100% work, just for your reference. I know the person got a reply from CIC and allow his spouse to change the VO.
Hope it can help.

DATE - SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
First Name: XXXXXXXX XXXXXX
Last Name: XXXXXXXX
Date of Birth: 00 DEC. 1900
Unique Client Identifier (UCI) number: 0000000000
My Permanent Residence Application Number - EP000000000
Type of Application – ECONOMIC CLASS - Provincial Nominee Program
My current Home & Mailing Address :-
XXXX - XXX STREET
RICHMOND, BC, XXX XXX CANADA
Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Email: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX @ YAHOO.COM

To
The Visa Office
CPC - Ottawa - PR
PO Box 9780
Ottawa ON
K1G 4B9

Dear Visa Officer,
Sub : Request to change the Visa Office for my Spouse (wife) to New Delhi, India for permanent resident visa

This is in reference to your office E-Mail dated September 15, 2015.
I will be sending my Original Passport JXXXXXXXXX to CPC-Ottawa for permanent resident visa by Canada Post today.

I would also like to request to change the visa office to issue permanent residence visa for my spouse (wife) to New Delhi, India as she is presently living in (India) and we are unable to submit her original passports in Canada.

Below are the details of my Spouse (Wife) for your kind perusal:
First Name: XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
Last name: XXXXXXXXX
UCI Number: 0000000
Date of birth: 00 JUNE 1900
Passport Number: LXXXXXXXX
Her Mailing Address in India :-
XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX,
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX ,
PIN: XXXXXXXXX New Delhi, INDIA
Phone: 0091-990000000000
Email : XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX @ YAHOO.IN


Yours Sincerely

......................................
XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
 

encanta

Newbie
Sep 14, 2015
7
0
Dear Zacknling,

Thank you very much for your suggestion I will certainly try it out.

I equally got another suggestion my friends and I don't know how this option will play out, they suggested that my wife send her passport and that of the Kids to me. Then I will courier everything including mine to the VO.

I will be trying Zacknling suggestion now but will be ready to execute the second option if i did not succeed.

Regards
 

nz

Star Member
Oct 22, 2015
66
1
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Update for you guys -

I received my FBI clearance today. It was mailed to Toronto, FBI mailed it out on the Feb 25th, and it reached Toronto today March 1st.

They had received my application on October 30th, 2015.
 

Decoy24601

Champion Member
Aug 13, 2015
1,511
52
Vancouver, BC
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-04-2016
AOR Received.
28-04-2016
File Transfer...
SA 27-05-2016
Med's Done....
23-03-2016 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
VISA ISSUED...
07-06-2016
LANDED..........
06-07-2016
I just got my FBI check! ;D

The FBI received my fingerprints on October 16, 2015. They charged my card on February 18, 2016 and processed my prints and sent out the application on February 22, 2016. I received them March 1, 2016 in Vancouver, BC.
 

stamang

Member
Feb 12, 2016
11
1
Good for you bud. Glad you made it though. I am told that mine were processed alright along with my wife's and that they would mail it on Tuesday. I hope to receive it soon.

Finally! Phewwwww! So, here is my timeline:

Packet received: Nov 12
Credit Card Charged: March 3 (I don't know if the date is 1-2 days behind when it actually posts on our end since it was a foreign credit card. At least, it showed on 3rd)
Mailed: Well, I called them today and they said that the prints were fine and will be mailed on Tuesday. I hope there isn't any other issues or someone else telling me something different. But, this is such a relief.

NOTE FOR ALL: I know it is much easier for me to say this when FBI has processed mine with no issues but I feel that this forum also led to some nervousness along with the help with timelines. If you logically think (My wife convinced me on this and I panicked a little less after), there is about 35 odd pages in regards to FBI Police clearance here. Not every single post is about the rejection, I mean we post timelines, ask each other questions and so on. So, out of 35 pages, there have been about 10-30 rejections (just guessin, have not read entire 35), which is quite a low number. FBI gets about 3000 packets a day someone said. Considering this, the number of rejections should be around 1%. At least, you can console yourself saying this. I would also recommend you all to not take a chance and go to a Fingerprinting Facility itself. The money and time is much more worth than sitting in the queue for 4 months.

Finally, I hope all you guys get yours processed. Good luck:)
 

Gypsysoul

Full Member
Jan 7, 2016
32
0
I got DM before they recieved my proof of applying or actual fbi. Im so nervous. Anybody else have that happen? Im too scared to email them..lol
 

julies879

Star Member
Mar 4, 2016
159
6
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-04-2016
Doc's Request.
17-05-2016, sent same day
AOR Received.
27-04-2016
File Transfer...
16-05-2016
Med's Request
Upfront
Med's Done....
15-03-2016
Interview........
N/A
Passport Req..
N/A
VISA ISSUED...
20-05-2016
LANDED..........
28-02-2017
What is the general consensus: file prints with the FBI and then file your immigration papers [we are doing outland spousal] with an explanation about wait times and hope for the best OR file prints and wait the 4-5 months to receive the full check back?
 

Decoy24601

Champion Member
Aug 13, 2015
1,511
52
Vancouver, BC
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
06-04-2016
AOR Received.
28-04-2016
File Transfer...
SA 27-05-2016
Med's Done....
23-03-2016 Upfront
Interview........
Waived
VISA ISSUED...
07-06-2016
LANDED..........
06-07-2016
julies879 said:
What is the general consensus: file prints with the FBI and then file your immigration papers [we are doing outland spousal] with an explanation about wait times and hope for the best OR file prints and wait the 4-5 months to receive the full check back?
Yes, most people send off their application without the FBI background check and include a letter explaining what you wrote and then send it in later.