The RCMP don't really take 150 days, do they?

[Marmoset 0]

I've visited a couple of times during the process already. There have never been any problems at all, in fact the last time the POE officer was extremely friendly and even wished me good luck with the K1.

POEO: "What's the purpose of your visit?"

Me: "i'm going to see my fiancée."

POEO: "Oho! You must be working on your K1 then?"

Me: "Yep. We're actually now waiting on the I-129f approval."

POEO: "That's great. I hope everything works out for you."

Me: "Thanks."

POEO: "Okay, you're all set. Have a good time and good luck with the K1"

Admittedly, these were only four-week long trips and not three month, but I didn't really show any evidence of ties to Canada either. The only vague evidence they saw that I was coming back was the return ticket and paucity of luggage. I did have a letter from my employer and various other things demonstrating ties, but they never asked and I didn't offer.

But as you say, yes it's always a possibility that the POE officer decides to deny entry. That's their call to make, and I'm always prepared for the chance that I'm going to have to turn around and go home. Luckily, the actual POE in Toronto is in the airport itself, if I have understood correctly.

I've always been a firm believer in the "answer whatever questions they have completely and honestly and that's about the best you can do" school of thought. They see hundreds of people a day, so you know they've seen every bit of attempted evasion or lies or whatever, and it's just not worth it.

Besides, if I do end up going between now and the interview, I'll be doing it after I get my interview appointment letter, so that'll be another thing to show them and say "See? I have to come back. This thing right here is way more important to me than anything else, and I'm not about to take a chance on screwing it up."

I never assume they're going to let me in, even before the K1 process. I figure it's someone else's country, I'm not a citizen, and it's their right as a sovereign nation to decide who gets to visit. That's not to say it wouldn't be disappointing as all hell to be refused entry, but I know it's always a possiblility.

Edited February 20, 2006 by Marmoset

[Marmoset 0]

Whoops.

Following a PM question from Knobby_Wheezer, and just so people don't get misinformed if they run across this post in a search in the future, it seems that the general limit for Canadian citizens visiting the USA without a visa is 180 days. And even that can be extended with special permission (you can apply to stay longer), it seems.

Mind you, the Customs and Border Protection site also makes it very clear that it's all up to the discretion of the POE officer, and that while there is no set period of time Canadians must wait before re-entering the USA if it appears that they're spending more time in America than Canada overall it's certainly up to the traveller to provide evidence that they aren't a de-facto US resident. That's when evidence of residence, employment, and other ties definitely become necessary.

I think where I got the 90 days thing from is the Visa Waiver Program, under which citizens of certain countries (UK included, which is likely where I got confused) do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days -- with certain restrictions, of course. Canada is not a participant in the VWP, as there are different rules governing travel between us and the USA.

And just so I don't feel like a total gimp, please don't assume that I am any sort of authority on this subject. Everything to do with this kind of thing is highly situational and individual, and if anyone takes my understanding of things as gospel and gets in trouble because of differences in situation, I'm going to feel really bad.

But yeah, I just didn't want anyone to come across this thread in a search and assume they can automatically or only stay 90 days.

[evilcanuck 0]

I had my prints done in feb 2005, had them back in may, so less than 150 days, but they have it posted all over the place tht it does take that long...when i asked the officer who was printing me why that long, he said it because ottawa handles it and they have to handle them for all over canada (so it doesnt matter what detachment you go to)....i had no convictions or arrests tho...but I think the turnaround time is the same regardless of that...

The long form birth certificate is the actual papers your parents filled out at the hospital when you were born, not the cute little blue wallet sied certificae thingie we are used to producing when asked for it....

I had problems with getting my papers together also because of the hold up with the prints and birth certificate, I simply called the consulae in montreal and explained and they granted me an extention.

You will have to get a new passport, I dont believe Canada issues renewals, you gotta start from scratch as if it were a new one...pain in the @$$ ...zi had the same thing happen, but it was the least of my concerns as it came in within like 6 weeks.

good luck

[KiminON 0]

I had my prints done in feb 2005, had them back in may, so less than 150 days, but they have it posted all over the place tht it does take that long...when i asked the officer who was printing me why that long, he said it because ottawa handles it and they have to handle them for all over canada (so it doesnt matter what detachment you go to)....i had no convictions or arrests tho...but I think the turnaround time is the same regardless of that...

The long form birth certificate is the actual papers your parents filled out at the hospital when you were born, not the cute little blue wallet sied certificae thingie we are used to producing when asked for it....

I had problems with getting my papers together also because of the hold up with the prints and birth certificate, I simply called the consulae in montreal and explained and they granted me an extention.

You will have to get a new passport, I dont believe Canada issues renewals, you gotta start from scratch as if it were a new one...pain in the @$$ ...zi had the same thing happen, but it was the least of my concerns as it came in within like 6 weeks.

good luck

so you need prints done regardless of past? like i said earlier, i'm a civilian member of my local so the only time i've been printed was for them to check. should i be finding and visiting my local rcmp office? which use to be at the airport, but isn't anymore i don't think....

k

[daisy16 0]

NO! You DON'T need prints unless you've had some kind of charges/convictions. Not sure which. Most ppl only need the quick check. Also, they only want the RCMP report. It covers the whole country no matter where you've lived. Getting it from the local or provincial coppers is pointless.

Order the LFBC and RCMP check as soon as possible so that they don't hold up the packet 3. It is unfortunate that the OP didn't know that earlier.

I had my prints done in feb 2005, had them back in may, so less than 150 days, but they have it posted all over the place tht it does take that long...when i asked the officer who was printing me why that long, he said it because ottawa handles it and they have to handle them for all over canada (so it doesnt matter what detachment you go to)....i had no convictions or arrests tho...but I think the turnaround time is the same regardless of that...

The long form birth certificate is the actual papers your parents filled out at the hospital when you were born, not the cute little blue wallet sied certificae thingie we are used to producing when asked for it....

I had problems with getting my papers together also because of the hold up with the prints and birth certificate, I simply called the consulae in montreal and explained and they granted me an extention.

You will have to get a new passport, I dont believe Canada issues renewals, you gotta start from scratch as if it were a new one...pain in the @$$ ...zi had the same thing happen, but it was the least of my concerns as it came in within like 6 weeks.

good luck

so you need prints done regardless of past? like i said earlier, i'm a civilian member of my local so the only time i've been printed was for them to check. should i be finding and visiting my local rcmp office? which use to be at the airport, but isn't anymore i don't think....

k

[KiminON 0]

daisy...looking at the rcmp site, they only do checks w/ finger prints. even doing it today i'll not get them until the end of july which would hope would be way after any interview.

<sigh>

guess my employer gets their wish of me staying here longer.

k

[zyggy 9]

daisy...looking at the rcmp site, they only do checks w/ finger prints. even doing it today i'll not get them until the end of july which would hope would be way after any interview.

<sigh>

guess my employer gets their wish of me staying here longer.

k

They do both... If that was the case, why would all of us who have gone through it before be telling you this... The RCMP detachment does the name based police certificates. They also do the fingerprint police certificates, but from their central office in Ottawa...

If you have no criminal record, only the name based search police certificate from the RCMP is required. If you have a criminal record, the fingerprints based police certificate is required.

Edited February 21, 2006 by zyggy

[babytiger 0]

OK so my foreign fiance has a minor criminal record, and after reading this thread we made a few phone calls. This is after he was talked in person with the RCMP a few months of ago and them telling us that what he needed would ony take a few days. So of course now we are livid.

They informed him he needs the fingerprint police clearance, and that it would take about 90 days (or possibly sooner if we included a letter explaining the urgency). Our approval notice expires in May, so we will be including that information, and praying that they take that into consideration.

[Marmoset 0]

I did phone the Consulate on Tuesday to ask about the massive difference between the projected five month turnaround on the police certificate and the (at this point) three months left in the I-129f approval period, and they said they extend things pretty much automatically no problem.

I seem to remember something in the early work on the I-129f about making a second set of Letters of Intent to Marry and dating them closer to the interview and then signing them when the interview nears... I guess that's probably what is needed (or recommended) as far as making that extension happen.

90 days is better than 150, but it's still 85 more than either you or I would prefer.

Bottom line -- I keep telling myself -- is that no matter what nonsense the system throws up, we will eventually win. Because we aren't doing anything wrong or underhanded or sneaky, and it's all in the greater purpose of happiness.

Plus if hunger really is the best seasoning, I'm in for a magnificent feast at the end of all this.

[daisy16 0]

Up to you which route you go and how long you wait.

Mine took about 10 days. No problems. I went for the fast check after sound advice from people here a year ago. I'm in the US with no problems.

daisy...looking at the rcmp site, they only do checks w/ finger prints. even doing it today i'll not get them until the end of july which would hope would be way after any interview.

<sigh>

guess my employer gets their wish of me staying here longer.

k

[samaci 0]

We have barely started our journey! I have a couple of questions for the future though.

I'm going to need the RCMP finger print clearance done (the 4-5-6 month one). My husband just mailed off the I-130 today, then we will be sending off the I-129F (k-3) petition. For this packet 3, do you think I could go in now and request my finger print check done, or do they need to see the packet 3 forms, which I won't get for quite a while? Or do they request the clearance done within a certain time period? I'm just trying to avoid a lengthy wait is all..

And, a few people have mentioned you need the full length Birth Certificate, which I don't think I have. I only have the wallet sized one. Do I need to order a full length one?

Edited March 14, 2006 by samaci

[Canuck Carrie 1]

1. I'm not sure. In Toronto I did not have to show anything to request my name clearance but I have heard that others did have to show something.

You might want to ask in the Canada section of the Regional Discussion area of Visa Journey http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

2. Yes, you will need to order one. I'm not sure what Province you were born in, but you can Google for the info.

[wally 0]

We have barely started our journey! I have a couple of questions for the future though.

I'm going to need the RCMP finger print clearance done (the 4-5-6 month one). My husband just mailed off the I-130 today, then we will be sending off the I-129F (k-3) petition. For this packet 3, do you think I could go in now and request my finger print check done, or do they need to see the packet 3 forms, which I won't get for quite a while? Or do they request the clearance done within a certain time period? I'm just trying to avoid a lengthy wait is all..

And, a few people have mentioned you need the full length Birth Certificate, which I don't think I have. I only have the wallet sized one. Do I need to order a full length one?

go to ......http://www.commissionaires.ca...I can't remember but it's either good for 6 mo. or a year after issue. Other than ID, you don't have to provide any immigration documents but do tell them why you need it. I got mine within 2 weeks but did not require fingerprints.

you will need your long birth certificate...that shows your parents info...I think there's a method you can order that online but I went to the Registrar's office and got it in about a week..some people here have waited months for it though

[samaci 0]

1. I'm not sure. In Toronto I did not have to show anything to request my name clearance but I have heard that others did have to show something.

You might want to ask in the Canada section of the Regional Discussion area of Visa Journey http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

2. Yes, you will need to order one. I'm not sure what Province you were born in, but you can Google for the info.

Thanks everyone for the answers, and thanks for pointing me to the Canada section, I didn't see that before..

[silverbutterfly228 0]

For long form birth certificate if you were born in Ontario go here:

http://www.cbs.gov.on.ca/mcbs/english/births.htm

I ordered mine on a monday and it came thursday of that week. So easy!

and thanks Canuck Carrie for the link to the Canadian section. Never seen that yet.