Police Certificates for Canadian Immigration What About Law’s Perspective
A Police Certificate, often called a police clearance or police check, is an essential document in many Canadian immigration applications including those for permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship. At What About Law Professional Corporation, we understand the importance of accuracy and compliance in every step of your immigration journey. Ensuring your police certificates are properly obtained, submitted, and explained is crucial to avoiding delays or refusals.
When Is a Police Certificate Required?
Applicants must provide a Police Certificate (PCC) from each country in which they have lived for six consecutive months or more in the last 10 years, or since turning 18 years old. This requirement also applies to all family members over the age of 18 included in the application.
For Canadian Citizenship applications, the PCC must cover the four years preceding the date of application.
Do I Need a Canadian Police Certificate?
Generally, you do not need to submit a Canadian PCC yourself. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will conduct an internal background check through the RCMP. However, in rare situations, a fingerprint based criminal record check may be specifically requested.
Understanding Validity Periods
The validity of a police certificate depends on where it was issued and your current residence:
- If you are still in the country where the PCC was issued, it must be less than 6 months old.
- If you have since left that country, the certificate remains valid as long as it was issued after your last stay there.
Obtaining the Correct Certificate
Different countries have different police certificate processes. Some like Italy may require multiple certificates. At What About Law, we stress the importance of reviewing the IRCC country specific guidelines carefully to ensure the right documentation is submitted the first time.
How to Submit Your PCC
- For online applications, a clear color scan must be uploaded.
- For paper based applications, include either the original certificate or a certified color printout if the document was issued electronically.
If the certificate is not in English or French, a certified translation must also be included.
What If You Can’t Get a Police Certificate?
If obtaining a PCC is not possible due to political, administrative, or logistical reasons, you should:
- Contact the country’s embassy or consulate for assistance.
- Provide evidence of reasonable efforts made to secure the document.
- Submit a formal request for exemption or extension with your application.
We strongly recommend seeking legal assistance in such cases to ensure the explanation meets IRCC standards.
Correcting Errors on a PCC
If your police certificate contains errors, omissions, or past charges (even those dismissed or withdrawn), it’s vital to disclose all details honestly. Failing to do so can lead to serious consequences, including misrepresentation, which may result in a five year immigration ban.
At What About Law, we help clients address these sensitive issues with care and precision, ensuring that your application remains compliant, honest, and well documented.
Police certificate issues can jeopardize your entire immigration file. Let What About Law Professional Corporation help you navigate this process with clarity, diligence, and integrity. Contact us today to ensure your application is handled correctly from the start.
