Canadian Police Certificate: What you should know

Embarking on the journey to immigrate to Canada, whether temporarily or permanently, involves navigating through various procedural checkpoints. These check points involve more than just filling out forms, it can also include providing immigration agents with a comprehensive set of background checks to establish good character.

Background check Requirements:

If you are applying to immigrate to Canada whether temporarily or permanently, you may be asked to complete a background check by each country in which you have spent more than 6 moths after you turned 18. A police certificate is an official document issued by the police or relevant authority (state protection agency or ministry of defense) in a country or region where an individual has lived.

What is a police Certificate:

 We use these certificates in applications to verify whether you as an applicant has a criminal record or any history of criminal activities that might affect your eligibility for immigration or residency.  In Canada, immigration authorities typically request a police certificate as part of the application process to ensure that all prospective immigrants do not pose a security risk to the country or our citizens and permanent residents. The certificate is useful to help us in assessing character and suitability for entry, residency, or citizenship for those who want to come to Canada. The certificate provides assurance that the applicant has not been involved in criminal activities that could jeopardize public safety or national security in Canada.

Importance for Canadian Immigration:

Canada has an exclusion for anyone with a criminal record. It is section 36 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This can mean a police record may need to be dealt with or pardoned before you are able to come to Canada. Though not all offences outside Canada are immediately a problem. There are grey areas where it may not be an issue to have a record should certain conditions be met.

Conclusion:

In summary, a police certificate is crucial for immigration to Canada as it verifies an applicant's criminal record history and ensures compliance with the country's immigration standards and security measures. For more details on how to get your police certificate and what options are available to you in coming to Canada, please book a consultation with an RCIC with MCD Immigration Consulting.