US Immigration from Canada

Hi everyone. There are a lot of questions on here about certified criminal record checks. I thought I would document my experience (and mistakes) to provide more information for people searching for answers.

First and foremost, I chose to go to my local police station to get my record check done. I live in Regina, SK. We do have a Commissionaires here, but to be honest, I have had several record checks done before at the police station for volunteering and I just felt more comfortable with the familiar. Let this be a lessons to you: the wonderful hard-working people at your local police department do not work for immigration and do not have training or expertise in the area. If you do not know exactly what to ask them for, they will likely give you the wrong thing. I was specifically told that everyone needs to do their research first so you know EXACTLY what to ask for. They are capable of getting what you need, but they don't necessarily have the knowledge of what NVC and the Montreal consulate require.

With that... my initial check was completed in late Dec of 2019. I went a few weeks ago (mid Dec of 2020) to have my check done again since they are only good for one year, and at this point we are anticipating an interview in Feb/March. I followed the instructions found here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Canada.html.

Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain this document, you must submit your fingerprints to a local police service or RCMP-approved partner agency. YOU MUST STATE THAT YOU ARE REQUESTING THE RECORD UNDER THE PRIVACY ACT. Do not select Visa/Border Crossing as the purpose of the request. You must also specifically request the record which includes the RCMP National Repository entire holdings.

I told the lady I needed a certified criminal record check with fingerprinting and was given the proper form. It says right on it that it will be accessing the RCMP National Repository. I filled out my personal info, and for "reason" checked off Other and wrote Privacy Act beside it. Since these are the only instructions I had seen, I left it at that and everything was submitted. 2.5 weeks later I received my criminal record check and it was incorrectly done. See attached pic. **Also important to note is that my initial check, done over a year ago and also incorrectly done, was accepted by NVC** I'm glad I've figured this out now and didn't go to Montreal with the incorrect version.

I went back today with this. I highlighted the bottom section "Other (Provide Details)". I explained that there should be three subtypes to choose from under Privacy Act and that it needed to be Other. She understood and said it would be no problem. It seems that if you don't specify, "For Active Criminal Record (formerly for Non-Certified Criminal Information)" is the default that they will pick, at least in Regina!

I'll try to remember to update when I receive my new check in the mail.

I have heard that Commissionaires has more experience and knowledge with certified checks for immigration, so if I could do it all over I would have went with them in the first place. Either way, make sure you know exactly what you need before you go!

Incorrect Criminal Record Check.pdf.pdf

Hello All,

I will appreciate your input to my case.

I was granted a in 10/01/17. This is due to expire in 10/03/21.
However, due to my USC abusive nature and in the relationship, I filed for removal of condition under WAVA in January 2019.
While, ROC was pending, I filed for N400 in September 2020.
I got notice of action (NOA) that N-400 Estimated case completion time is May 2021.
Noticing that my current status is due to expire in 10/03/21.
I phoned USCIS to make an InfoPass appointment to extend conditional PR.
However, I was told to create an account on USCIS and make a request to replace PR card.
On completion of the request, they asked why am I making a replacement request, but non of the options is applicable to me as I only want to get an extension on date.

Please help what suggest what to do to extend a LPR.
CanadaEx

Good evening

I m changing my Joint sponsor and my interview is in 2 weeks is it possible to change and upload my new joint sponsors documents on ceac before the interview or should I just bring the documents to the interview?
Also I ve read on some random website that I need to provide a letter of withdraw from my previous joint sponsor? Even though I m not even a resident yet? Is this true?

My wife and I are going through marriage based Adjustment Of Status currently. She came here on a tourist visa and we got married eventually, then filed a I-130, I-485, I-131, & I-765 concurrently.

Our interview is scheduled for February 2nd so I'm trying to make sure I know everything we need to bring to the interview. I have a pretty good idea, but I'm not sure if we need to bring the original forms we filed such as copies of the initial I-485 and I-130? And what about all the supporting evidence and documents we had to submit with I-864 affidavit of support and I-944 public charge (paystubs, tax returns, 12 months of asset/account statements, credit reports, and much more) That seems like an unnecessary amount to bring with considering they already received it all, right?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks

Hey all,

Just wanted to share an update (not sure if this has been discussed yet) but moving forward from November, all RCMP finger print based police record searches under the Privacy act has been changed to the name "Criminal Record Check for Personal Use"

The information would still be the same as long as the Reason for the check is listed under "Other", this gives an entire record check.

Just in case anybody gets theirs back & panics that it reads differently!