Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) for Express Entry 📝

Why Are Police Certificates Important?

Police certificates help Canadian immigration authorities determine whether you pose a security risk or have a criminal record that might make you inadmissible to Canada. If you have a criminal record, you may not be allowed to enter or stay in the country.

When to Request Police Certificates?

Start Early!
Obtaining police certificates can take time, so it’s wise to begin the process as soon as your Express Entry profile is in the pool. If you’re invited to apply, request the certificates immediately to avoid delays.

Who Needs a Police Certificate and When?

You must include police certificates in your permanent residence application. IRCC online system requires these documents for:

• You and family members ^{if applicable} who are 18 years or older.

• Every country where you or a family member stayed for 6 months or more in a row during the last 10 years.

Exceptions:

• You don’t need certificates for any time before you turned 18.

• Time spent in Canada doesn’t require a police certificate.

However, after you submit your application, an immigration officer may request additional certificates for any country or time since you turned 18.

How to Submit Police Certificates

Scanned Copies of Originals:
Submit scanned, color copies of the original police certificates. Certified true copies or unauthorized versions will be rejected which may lead to your application being rejected

Special Cases:
If you’re applying from a country that requires a request letter from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):

Upload a document stating:
“I am applying from a country that requires an official request letter from IRCC to get a police certificate.”

IRCC will review your application and provide instructions on obtaining the PCC.

Validity of PCC for Express Entry

For Your Current Country of Residence:

• Issued no more than 6 months before submission.

• Must not be expired.

• If you are currently in Canada, studying or working, then your country of residence will be Canada.

For Other Countries:

Must be Issued after your last stay of 6 months or more in a row.

Some countries put expiry dates on their police certificates. If you have a police certificate that expired, include it. IRCC will accept it if:

• It was issued after your last stay of 6 months or more in a row in that country.

• It is not for your current country of residence.

An officer may ask for a new one later on.

What If You Can’t Get a PCC on Time?

If you’re invited to apply, you have 60 days to submit your complete application. If your PCC is not received on time, here are your options:

Option 1: Decline the Invitation

Your profile will return to the pool, and depending on your score, you could receive another invitation.

Option 2: Provide Proof of Effort

In rare cases, IRCC may accept a letter of explanation and proof of your efforts to obtain the certificate on time. Examples include:

• A confirmation or payment receipt.

• Delivery or tracking notice.

Upload these in the police certificate field on your document checklist. However, if the officer reviewing your file isn’t convinced, your application could be rejected as incomplete.

Here are some scenario to give you a better idea when to get a PCC

Example A: 8-Month Stay Before Age 18

Raj is 25 years old when he applies for permanent residence. He lived in the United Kingdom for 8 months when he was 17 years old.

• Outcome: Raj does not need to provide a police certificate for his time in the UK, as it was before he turned 18.

Example B: 7-Month Stay 15 Years Ago

Amara is 40 years old. She worked in Brazil for 7 months when she was 25 years old.

• Outcome: Amara does not need to provide a police certificate for Brazil since she didn’t stay for 6 months or more in a row, and it was over 10 years ago.

Example C: Several Short Stays in Another Country

Carlos studied in France from 2015 to 2018, with several 4-month study periods, but he never stayed for 6 months or more consecutively.

• Outcome: Carlos is not required to provide a police certificate for France. However, an officer may request one after he submits his application. To avoid delays, Carlos could proactively obtain a certificate and include it with his application.