How To Obtain Police Clearance Certificate For Canada PR?

As an immigrant of Canada, you must apply for a police clearance certificate for permanent residence. The certificate is one of the must-haves for your application to be acceptable. It is not just you.

If you are immigrating with dependents that are above 17 years, they must also provide their police clearance certificates. If you apply as a visitor, student, live-in caregiver or temporary worker, there may be a need for you to submit your certificate. But it is not compulsory in most cases.

In addition, Canada police clearance certificates can also be called security checks. The aim is to know if you have a criminal record. It is also to determine if you would pose a security threat in Canada. This article will give you an insight into what a police certificate is, how to obtain one and where to submit it.

What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

Also known as a security check, a police certificate is a declaration of the absence of any criminal record, or if you have any, it states the copy of your criminal record. They are issued by the police authorities or government department and used by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

The reason is to prevent individuals with a criminal record from entering Canada. The certificate aims to ensure you don’t have any reason to pose a risk to Canada’s security. It goes by several names in different countries such as police certificate, good conduct certificate, judicial record extract, among others.

Equally important, to find out if you need a police clearance certificate for permanent residence from a country or territory in which you lived for six months or more, you may consult the embassy or consulate in Canada or the national police agency. They will help you with the relevant information on where to obtain your police clearance certificate.

More to the point, the CIC will run a background check in all the countries and territories where you and your family members have lived. The checks will help in finding out if you and your family members have been arrested or convicted before. Also, to know whether you pose a security threat to Canada.

In the interim, if your police clearance certificate for Canada permanent residence is in any language other than English or French, you would need to send it, together with a translation from a certified translator.

Who needs a Police Clearance Certificate for Canada Permanent Residence?

You and your dependents who are 18 and above may need to get a police clearance certificate, based on the program you are applying for.

Generally, you and everyone in your family who is 18 years need to obtain a police clearance certificate from each country or territory you have lived in for over six consecutive months or longer.

Moreover, the certificate must have been issued to you no longer than three months before you submit your application for your permanent residence.

When is it proper to submit your Police Clearance Certificate for Canada Permanent Residence?

There is no specific time to submit the certificate. This is because different programs require different times when you need to send your police clearance certificate. Below is the required length of time for the submission for each program:

1. Express Entry System 

If you applied through the Express Entry system, you must submit your police clearance certificate within 90 days. To be on the safer side, start processing your certificate as soon as you join the pool.

2. International Experience Canada (IEC)

If you applied through International Experience Canada, you will need to submit your police clearance certificate together with your work permit.

3. Other Immigration or Citizenship Programs

If you applied through another immigration or citizenship program, you will have to find out the specific duration for the submission of the certificate.

How to get a Police Clearance Certificate for Canada Permanent Residence

Firstly, you must contact the police or government and request your certificate. But then, the onus is on you to:

• provide information and documents in form of photographs, fingerprints, or your addresses and dates that you lived in the country or territory, and
• pay a fee for the certificate

Note that giving your fingerprints for a police certificate, is not the same as giving your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) for an application. You will need to get the certificate in the country where you have resided for the past six months.

In addition, if you cannot find the contact information of your country or territory, you may have to contact your country territory’s embassy or consulate in Canada or the national police agency.

In the same way, if your country or territory has changed to a new name or status, you should get the police clearance certificate from the current national authorities of that country or territory.

Also, if you’re unable to get a police certificate from a country, you’re responsible to show why you can’t get one.

Therefore, to prove that you cannot get a police certificate, you must:

• demonstrate evidence that you requested a police certificate from the correct authorities and
• write a letter explaining all the pains you have taken to get one

However, even if you send the above items to Canadian officials, it is not a guarantee of acceptance.

How long does it take to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate?

The answer to this is not straightforward as there is no specific length of time required. What is more, you need to contact the police authority or any relevant authorities involved as soon as possible and request the certificate. Ensure to provide valid information required of you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a police clearance certificate?

A police clearance certificate is a copy of your criminal record or the absence of it.

Is a police clearance certificate necessary for Canada Permanent Residence?

Yes, you must provide a police certificate when you apply for permanent residence.

What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a police clearance certificate for Canada permanent residence?

You or your family members seeking Canada permanent residence must be up to 18 years before you can apply.

Conclusion

Getting police clearance for Canada permanent residence is one of the things you must do to secure your stay in Canada.