The Canadian immigration process involves extensive red tape. Once you choose your immigration plan, you need to quickly get in touch with an immigration lawyer who can guide you about the different steps involved in the process.
The Government of Canada requires people entering the country with an Express Entry program to acquire police certification and submit it along with their permanent residency application. If an applicant fails to submit their police certificates, their application may get rejected. You surely need a Canadian immigration lawyer on your side as they can ensure you understand all the requirements and don’t miss the deadlines.
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So, What’s a Police Certificate?
A police certificate is a formal document that demonstrates an individual’s criminal records and is issued by a government authority in the country where they reside after they turn 18.
People with no criminal history can easily acquire their police certificate and submit it along with their application. However, people with a criminal record may not get permission to enter the country.
When to Apply for the Police Certificate
If you’re applying for permanent residency in Canada, you should remember that missing a deadline can reduce the likelihood of your application approval, and acquiring a police certificate generally takes considerable time. You should be prepared for the worst case.
Try applying for a police certificate as soon as your profile makes it to the pool.
Required Certificates
Canada’s online application system requires you to submit a police certificate for yourself as well as your adult family members (i.e., 18 years or older). You need to acquire a police certificate from every country where you have resided in the last ten years before applying for permanent residency in Canada. The minimum duration of your stay for which a police certificate is required is 6 consecutive months.
The Canadian government doesn’t require you to submit the police certificate from a country where you’ve lived before age 18, regardless of how long you stayed in the country.
Once you submit your application, a government officer asks you for some additional police certificates from any specific period in your life since you reached age 18.
How to Get a Police Certificate
Each country has its own laws and a different legal system. To learn about the right procedure to acquire a police certificate in your country, you may need to contact your country’s national police agency.
People living in a country that changed its status or name may receive their police certificate from the country’s present national authorities.
Certificate Validity
The police certificate you obtain from the country where you presently live, shouldn’t be more than six months long. You can submit the certificate within six months before you file your PR application.
If you don’t currently live in the country, make sure they issued your police certificate after the last time you lived there for at least six months in a row (or more).
When to Submit
The right time when you should submit your police certificate depends upon the program you’re applying for. Find out here.
Many people ask if they’re required to obtain police certification for their time in Canada. The short answer is ‘no’.
If, however, you’ve lived in the country for over six months since you reached age 18, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) may require you to give them your fingerprints. These fingerprints help them complete a candidate’s criminal record check.
But, you don’t need to request a criminal record check unless you receive a letter from the Government of Canada, asking for one.
What if You Can’t Get Your Police Certificate?
Once an applicant receives their ITA (Invitation to Apply), they’re required to submit their permanent residency application along with other important documents and police certificates within 60 days. Some countries, however, take more than 60 days to provide you with police certification. Therefore, experienced immigration lawyers always suggest their clients apply for their police certificates in advance.
If you don’t get the certificate, you can either turn down your invitation or you can still submit the application along with an explanation letter and important documents proving that you’ve requested the police certificate. These documents include your tracking number and payment receipt.
If your Express Entry application isn’t older than a year, the IRCCÂ may return you to the pool of other candidates. This way you may get considered in a future Express Entry Draw.
If a person chooses the second option, the IRCC may accept documents as placeholders until they receive the certificate. However, they hold the right to reject such applications by marking them incomplete.
Looking for an Immigration Lawyer in Your Area?
If you’re looking for a reputable legal firm in Canada, where you can find a reliable immigration lawyer, reach out to the Peel Region’s BEST Lawyer – General Practice Company (as recognized by Consumer Choice Award), Nanda & Associate Lawyers.
At Nanda & Associate Lawyers, we have a team of experienced litigation lawyers, personal injury lawyers, immigration lawyers, and real estate litigation lawyers on board. We can help you understand the Canadian immigration laws and seamlessly immigrate to the country.
Since Canada offers a myriad of immigration programs, choosing the right program isn’t an easy job. Our immigration lawyers can take care of all your documents and other immigration needs. With our experienced Canadian immigration lawyers on your side, you can easily navigate the country’s complex immigration system and resolve all the legal issues you may come across during your immigration application.
Contact us to learn more about our services.
Disclaimer: This article is only intended for educational purposes and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for legal advice.
