Two kinda lame questions...

[HumanUnit 0]

Hi again all...I've checked the Guides and I'm not quite sure of how to go about these things.

First: does anyone know how I should go about getting the police check done? I haven't received the instructions yet but I want to be proactive! Is there someone in Toronto where we can just go? Also - really dumb - should I get a police check on both of us or just my spouse (I'm the US citizen)?

Second: has anyone encountered problems visiting the US during the processing time? My husband and I plan to go to the US to look for apartments at least once! I really hope this isn't problematic!

Thanks in advance, of course!

[aussiewench 9]

Have a read here about police certificates http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5635&hl=RCMP I am assuming it will be the same for CR-1

As for travel whilst it is being processed there is no 100% guarantee but that also applies at any time... having a petition in process can give them grounds to deny as they can deem that you have immigrant intent. Take with you all info regarding your case so you can show that you are not far off an interview so therefore will return. Any other ties that you still have in home country eg work etc. Thats all you can do really.

[phirephly 0]

I think this is where you'll want to look for your police certs:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/C...ada.htm#Ontario

It's a few clicks (and a correction to a state.gov document with a bad link) out of aussie's timesavers link in her sig.

for anyone else looking for how to get police certs for your country, this seems to be a good place to look:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/country_pick.htm

ttyl,

mich

[HumanUnit 0]

Have a read here about police certificates http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5635&hl=RCMP I am assuming it will be the same for CR-1

As for travel whilst it is being processed there is no 100% guarantee but that also applies at any time... having a petition in process can give them grounds to deny as they can deem that you have immigrant intent. Take with you all info regarding your case so you can show that you are not far off an interview so therefore will return. Any other ties that you still have in home country eg work etc. Thats all you can do really.

Oh no....they could really turn him back?? That's so frustrating! We have to go look at apartments for three days . Do you happen to know if it's common that people are turned back?? I'll definitely take evidence of our flight and hotel bookings - maybe a letter from our broker stating that we're going to see her to look for apartments?? This is super stressful!

Thank you for the link!

Thanks mich for the links!

Edited May 7, 2006 by HumanUnit

[Flames9_RN 358]

Do a search!!!! This topic of us Canadian visiting the USA while the process is ongoing comes up every week!!

Yes he could be denied entry. Some do, some do not. Many like myself never had a problem visiting the USA. I travvled monthly to DC and not one problem. Ensure one has ties to Canada, ie letter from employer, return ticket home, apartment lease. But what it pretty much boils down tois the POE officer. If he has any feeling he may stay illegally, he may deny him entry. if the POE officer is having a bad day, he may deny him, lol! Ensure one has a back up plan in case he does get denied entry!! Its not that big of a deal, just a pain in the butt!! Answer the officers questions honestly, but do not "add" to your answer!! Do not travel with lots of baggage and do not have any resumes in your possesion! As stated earlier, some have problems, some do not!! If you do a searcj, you should find lots of info

Regarding the police check. In the Greater Toronto area, you need to see the Commisionaires. http://www.commissionaires.ca/

If he has never had a criminal record,he only requires the Canada wide back ground check. If he has had a criminal record he wil lmost likely require fingerprinting rcmp.ca for info. The back ground check doesnt take long. but if he requires fingerprinting that can take awhile (like up to 6 months) Best of luck

[HumanUnit 0]

Thank you!! Honestly you guys all rock - this is seriously one of the most confusing things I've ever been through. It's kind of embarassing because I just graduated from law school and should be fairly comfortable with complicated, bureaucratic nightmares .

Edited to add: I see that this Commissionaires site is a private entity. Another poster provided a link which said I could go to the "Criminal Investigation Department" on Jarvis - is there an advantage to one over the other? Maybe cost wise? Thanks again.

Edited May 7, 2006 by HumanUnit

[Flames9_RN 358]

Majority of Canadian use the RCMP. At 1 time they were pretty much the only ones that had the Canadian wide search capability. Now Many City police forces have it as well. Forget the actual name of the system,but it has to be CANADA WIDE. in the GTA you use the Commisionaires!! Not sure how long it takes, but if you do a search, I'm sure you will find that info. many people forget all about the search button!! best of luck

[HumanUnit 0]

Majority of Canadian use the RCMP. At 1 time they were pretty much the only ones that had the Canadian wide search capability. Now Many City police forces have it as well. Forget the actual name of the system,but it has to be CANADA WIDE. in the GTA you use the Commisionaires!! Not sure how long it takes, but if you do a search, I'm sure you will find that info. many people forget all about the search button!! best of luck

Thanks for your help! I tried a couple of searches but I'm obviously not the sharpest tool in the box because I either get nothing or tons of irrelevant stuff .

[HumanUnit 0]

After doing a few searches and reading, I have a few more specific questions about trying to visit the US:

When we try to cross the border - do we tell them that we have this application open and are pre-interview? Or will they find out themselves by running my husband's name? I'm just wondering how much information we should be offering up!

From what I understand, these are good documents to take:

• employment letter, saying he's on vacation
  
• receipts for return plane tickets
  
• receipts for hotel room
  
• bank statements
  

Any other ideas? Of course, from what I understand, even with all this information they could deny entry!!

[Flames9_RN 358]

I just answered their questions and that was it. Didnt give up any more info. if they asked If I was on business or pleasure, i stated Pleasure and returning on such a such date and that was about it. I was never asked to show evidnece(i had it with me) and I never told them I was in the process of getting my cr-1 visa!