Canadian August NVC spousal visa filers

[msdupuis 33]

4 minutes ago, Kat & Jim said:

I have to share this with my husband ! What a coincidence or maybe it’s not. What a small world we live in. Yes, we noticed Sarasota is a little expensive but we are still looking there, we are trying to make an informed decision. We are flying into Orlando in less than 2 weeks will be looking in the Orlando area as well. Honestly though we prefer to live in south Florida along the west coast, it’s feels more like home just thinking about it. 

How is the Algae problem, recently in the news, around the cities I mentioned ? We heard it was, at least a few weeks ago very bad air quality and some people had breathing issues. Hope everything is Ok after tropical storm Gordon has passed. It’s really bad news about the child was killed in the Florida Panhandle area. Is it Ok if we ask you more questions since you are there now ? We will understand if you don’t want to.

You are perfectly fine to ask anything you want! The algae is finally clearing up. It was terrible since the beginning of June. This has been the worst year so far. I’ve been in the area for a little over 5 years now myself. I much prefer this area to Orlando. Our corporate office for my job is in Orlando and I dread going over there. Traffic with people visiting Disney is entirely too much to deal with for me. What province are you all coming from? We’re actually trying to decide if we would prefer to stay here or possibly move to the West Palm Beach area as my husband is from Quebec and there are a ton of Quebecois there, not to mention his aunt and uncle own a condo and come down for 3-4 months a year. We were very fortunate in that my husband was able to come down for a few months during this process. It gave him a chance to make sure he could survive the heat lol, and showed him how much he would miss his family. We have found really great flights with allegiant for Clearwater to Plattsburgh, so we even considered moving up that way to allow for easier traveling. So many decisions! 

[tnn2018 47]

@arellah since you’re case complete already as well, what are your thoughts on the new police check. Are you going to be getting the new one for the interview or just sticking with the one you submitted for NVC already?

[Kat & Jim 47]

32 minutes ago, msdupuis said:

You are perfectly fine to ask anything you want! The algae is finally clearing up. It was terrible since the beginning of June. This has been the worst year so far. I’ve been in the area for a little over 5 years now myself. I much prefer this area to Orlando. Our corporate office for my job is in Orlando and I dread going over there. Traffic with people visiting Disney is entirely too much to deal with for me. What province are you all coming from? We’re actually trying to decide if we would prefer to stay here or possibly move to the West Palm Beach area as my husband is from Quebec and there are a ton of Quebecois there, not to mention his aunt and uncle own a condo and come down for 3-4 months a year. We were very fortunate in that my husband was able to come down for a few months during this process. It gave him a chance to make sure he could survive the heat lol, and showed him how much he would miss his family. We have found really great flights with allegiant for Clearwater to Plattsburgh, so we even considered moving up that way to allow for easier traveling. So many decisions! 

Thank you ! Also, thank you for all the information you gave, every little bit helps. We will be coming from British Columbia. I also think I am fortunate, even more than others because my spouse is currently living with me in Canada as a Permanent Resident and I am a Canadian Citizen. I really don't know how you and other VJ members bare being separated from your spouses, I couldn't do it and haven't so far. As a last resort though my husband could move to the US before myself if it would help. We don't even want to think about that yet only if it is absolutely necessary. 

It makes it more of a challenge to provide additional proof and documents to the re-establishing domicile requirement. But we are working on it and would appreciate any help or suggestions to satisfy this requirement. I have read a lot of comments on different threads on VJ that lead to other articles also about how to re-establish a domicile. I have to go to the RCMP again to get the finger print police check done before we leave for Florida so hopefully it is here when we return. So, that's were we are at now. 

 

P.S. my husband loves the heat but I can only stand it for so long.

[tnn2018 47]

I just spoke with the NVC and they said that since I have a case complete already they won’t require me to get the new police check (as long as my current one doesn’t expire by the interview). However, they said that the embassy/consulate may want me to bring the new police check, but I’ll have to wait and find out once my case is sent there.

 

they also said they are currently booking October interviews for Montreal.

[arellah 125]

3 hours ago, tnn2018 said:

@arellah since you’re case complete already as well, what are your thoughts on the new police check. Are you going to be getting the new one for the interview or just sticking with the one you submitted for NVC already?

I think if the case is complete we are not required to get a new police check! I'll try and confirm this

 

EDIT: looks like you already called. So we wont know for sure if we need it until the Consulate lets us know about our interview date? Gosh, now I'm nervous lol

Edited September 5, 2018 by arellah

[Kat & Jim 47]

On 9/4/2018 at 9:01 PM, LaurenJSchafer said:

Yes, we did. They said about 2 weeks for it to get to Ottawa and be processed and returned to BC. I read that privacy act thing, mercifully, just yesterday. He went to get it today! Good luck to you as well! 

I went today to get the new police criminal record check, with the finger prints, 5 hours ago, to the Main RCMP detachment in Surrey BC. I even took a copy of the print from the state department website explaining what I needed and explained why I needed it. The clerk that helped me also looked it up on the state department website for herself. It was the same clerk I saw just over a week ago that gave me name search Police Certificate. 

She then asked, who I think was either a Supervisor or a more Senior employee/clerk, if she knew of this new requirement effective Sept 10/2018. She looked also and asked was this print given to you or did you print it. I said I printed it.

The 2nd clerk said I did not need the Finger Print Criminal Record Check and that I do not have a criminal record. The name search Police Certificate 1st given to me would not have been produced if I had a Criminal Record, they would have been prompted to do a finger print search if I did. The section for this request, for this document, on the NVC website only applies if you know you have a criminal record, or have been pardoned or have been in prison.

So, the new requirement for a Police criminal record check effective Sept 10/2018, does not apply to me and even if they did a search it would produce the exact same results as the name search Police Certificate with the exception it would have my finger prints. It could also take a few weeks to up to 120 days. She also said that they (RCMP) have never had a problem with just the name search Police Certificate for the reason why I needed it.

After all this the 1st clerk I spoke to also called NVC (it took about 15 mins for the call) and all the Agent from NVC said to the RCMP clerk was to just submit what I have and NVC would be able to advise me if anything else is needed. Also if there was any issues NVC could call the RCMP. (I was thinking-good luck with that)

Bottom line is, RCMP (at least in Surrey BC) said I don’t need it so I didn’t get it. It all depends on each individual if they do need it, if you know you have a criminal record or if you have ever been pardoned, which neither apply to me.

Edited September 6, 2018 by Kat & Jim

[LaurenJSchafer 13]

Has anyone in here actually received their certified fingerprint police check? If so how long did you have to wait on it? That 120 days thing makes me sick to think about. I see that a lot of you have filed and gotten case completed. Did you get the certified check? How long did you wait for it? Thanks. 

[SKB2017 95]

I googled and found this:

 

The RCMP takes 3 to 5 business days to process fingerprints and after that, they send out the certified criminal record check (hard copy), via non-trackable Canada Post regular mail. If there is a criminal record, the RCMP can take from 1-4 months or even longer to send the results.

[LaurenJSchafer 13]

2 minutes ago, SKB2017 said:

I googled and found this:

 

The RCMP takes 3 to 5 business days to process fingerprints and after that, they send out the certified criminal record check (hard copy), via non-trackable Canada Post regular mail. If there is a criminal record, the RCMP can take from 1-4 months or even longer to send the results.

I read that too, but what I read said only if the fingerprints were processed electronically would the 3-5 day thing apply. If they were paper (and my husbands were) then it's back to the 120 day thing again. Just trying to figure this one out. I guess I should have asked too if anyone had done paper vs. electronic fingerprinting. 

[darth vader 133]

11 minutes ago, LaurenJSchafer said:

Has anyone in here actually received their certified fingerprint police check? If so how long did you have to wait on it? That 120 days thing makes me sick to think about. I see that a lot of you have filed and gotten case completed. Did you get the certified check? How long did you wait for it? Thanks. 

If you meant regular fingerprint check then use Commissionaires and you can get it in like a week. If you meant fingerprint check under Privacy Act, then I have no idea.

[Invisigoth 16]

Can anyone post up some links regarding the documents needed for the NVC and the and the process? I am most familiar with this:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process.html

but other links are greatly appreciated! Blogs and Tips welcome!

[MtnBoarder 61]

On 9/4/2018 at 9:07 PM, SKB2017 said:

nope not yet :(.  More waiting.  I also just came across something that someone on here posted that says:

 

Comments: As of September 10, 2018 a fingerprint-based, certified criminal record check REQUESTED UNDER THE CANADIAN PRIVACY ACT from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is required by U.S. Consular posts in Canada. 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Canada.html

 

I did not do the fingerprint certificate.  Hope i don't get a RFE

 

I can almost guarantee you will get an RFE. My lawyer told me the only acceptable background check has to be the one with the fingerprints. The RCMP offers two different background checks and the one you need is the fingerprint one. Your best bet, if you want to avoid a delay, is to get it done and have it ready to upload when you eat the RFE.

Edited September 7, 2018 by MtnBoarder

[MtnBoarder 61]

As for me, I dont have all my details but my case was closed/finalized/doc qualified on August 6th.

 

i spoke with the NVC yesterday and was told they give out Montreal embassy appointments at the end of each month when they hear from the embassy itself. Once you get the email for your appointment, the interview usually happens within a month. I’m almost done week 5 of waiting for my email regarding my embassy date, thought I’d be getting it this week or next, now I’m not expecting it until the end of the month at best. 

 

Bottom line, based on what the very nice guy at the NVC said, if you don’t get your email this month then you can already expect to wait for your embassy appointment to be in November seeing as you will probably get your email in October then. And thats directly from the NVC, not heresay.

 

Sucks, but it is what it is...

[MtnBoarder 61]

14 hours ago, LaurenJSchafer said:

I read that too, but what I read said only if the fingerprints were processed electronically would the 3-5 day thing apply. If they were paper (and my husbands were) then it's back to the 120 day thing again. Just trying to figure this one out. I guess I should have asked too if anyone had done paper vs. electronic fingerprinting. 

Death is right and if you find your local Commissionaires office they can do them quick. They will tell you atbthe scanning if they were accepted, and then you get them within 3-5 business days. I got mine on day 4. Well worth the time and money.

 

If I sent paper ones, I’d still go pay to have the digital ones done! 

[MtnBoarder 61]

20 hours ago, Kat & Jim said:

I went today to get the new police criminal record check, with the finger prints, 5 hours ago, to the Main RCMP detachment in Surrey BC. I even took a copy of the print from the state department website explaining what I needed and explained why I needed it. The clerk that helped me also looked it up on the state department website for herself. It was the same clerk I saw just over a week ago that gave me name search Police Certificate. 

She then asked, who I think was either a Supervisor or a more Senior employee/clerk, if she knew of this new requirement effective Sept 10/2018. She looked also and asked was this print given to you or did you print it. I said I printed it.

The 2nd clerk said I did not need the Finger Print Criminal Record Check and that I do not have a criminal record. The name search Police Certificate 1st given to me would not have been produced if I had a Criminal Record, they would have been prompted to do a finger print search if I did. The section for this request, for this document, on the NVC website only applies if you know you have a criminal record, or have been pardoned or have been in prison.

So, the new requirement for a Police criminal record check effective Sept 10/2018, does not apply to me and even if they did a search it would produce the exact same results as the name search Police Certificate with the exception it would have my finger prints. It could also take a few weeks to up to 120 days. She also said that they (RCMP) have never had a problem with just the name search Police Certificate for the reason why I needed it.

After all this the 1st clerk I spoke to also called NVC (it took about 15 mins for the call) and all the Agent from NVC said to the RCMP clerk was to just submit what I have and NVC would be able to advise me if anything else is needed. Also if there was any issues NVC could call the RCMP. (I was thinking-good luck with that)

Bottom line is, RCMP (at least in Surrey BC) said I don’t need it so I didn’t get it. It all depends on each individual if they do need it, if you know you have a criminal record or if you have ever been pardoned, which neither apply to me.

Keep in mind this ISNT the RCMP requirements, this is the FBI/NVC requirements. Who cares what the RCMP says you need, that doesn’t matter. If you look on the state Department website, it’s clear what you need. The fingerprints background check is more in depth, or so it was explained to me by the RCMP in Ontario, than the other check. 

 

You can try the non-fingerprint route, but just be ready for an RFE