Police Certificate for Immigration to Canada – Immigroup
Because of the diversity of source countries for immigrants to Canada, the procedures for obtaining the necessary documents in one’s home country may vary considerably from other countries, seeing that your home country could be just about anywhere in the world.
And one document that is key to any application is that all-important police certificate. Imagine gathering what you consider all the necessary documents only to realize you’ve forgotten about your police certificate. No certificate means your application will be deemed incomplete and either returned to you or delayed for a considerable amount of time. Especially in our turbulent times where security issues – as annoying as they might seem – must be dealt with in order to ensure a successful application.
So, let’s do a deep dive into how to get your police certificate from the top 10 source countries for immigration to Canada, using Statistics Canada’s 2016 survey of immigration. Because this is one document you definitely don’t want to leave out of your application.
How to Get a Police Certificate from Canada’s Top 10 Source Countries
10. Police Certificate from South Korea
by Piotrus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
In South Korea a police certificate is called a Criminal (Investigation) Records Check Reply. In general, you must obtain it at your nearest National Police Station, but there are exceptions depending on your status and where you are residing. The following table sums up the process, depending on your status:
Go in person to nearest National Police Station and request search of your entire police records, including:
- Criminal Records, including lapsed criminal sentences
- All Investigation Records
Your application form will be provided when you apply at a National Police Station.
Your Criminal Records Check must be picked up by you in person. An immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling) or a friend or a representative may request a certificate on your behalf at a National Police Station in Korea. You should request a search of your entire records, including:
- Criminal Records, including lapsed criminal sentences
- All Investigation Records
Your application form will be provided when you or your representative apply at a National Police Station.
Your Criminal Records Check must be picked up by your representative in person.
If you do not have anyone in Korea who can assist you, you may apply at the nearest Korean consulate/embassy. Go in person to nearest National Police Station and request search of your entire police records, including:
- Criminal Records, including lapsed criminal sentences
- All Investigation Records
Your application form will be provided when you apply at a National Police Station.
Your Criminal Records Check must be picked up by you in person. An immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling) or a friend or a representative may request a certificate on your behalf at a National Police Station in Korea. You should request a search of your entire records, including:
- Criminal Records, including lapsed criminal sentences
- All Investigation Records
Your application form will be provided when you or your representative apply at a National Police Station.
Your Criminal Records Check must be picked up by your representative in person.
If you do not have anyone in Korea who can assist you, you may apply at the nearest Korean consulate/embassy.
Status | How to obtain Police Certificate | Required Documents |
---|---|---|
Korean Citizen living in Korea | Go in person to nearest National Police Station and request search of your entire police records, including:
Your application form will be provided when you apply at a National Police Station. |
|
Korean Citizen living abroad | An immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling) or a friend or a representative may request a certificate on your behalf at a National Police Station in Korea. You should request a search of your entire records, including:
Your application form will be provided when you or your representative apply at a National Police Station. |
|
Non-citizen living in South Korea | Go in person to nearest National Police Station and request search of your entire police records, including:
Your application form will be provided when you apply at a National Police Station. |
Photocopies are NOT acceptable. |
Non-citizen living outside South Korea | An immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling) or a friend or a representative may request a certificate on your behalf at a National Police Station in Korea. You should request a search of your entire records, including:
Your application form will be provided when you or your representative apply at a National Police Station. |
|
9. Police Certificate from France
by David Monniaux / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
In France, a police certificate is called a Bulletin No. 3. The process for applying for one is similar for French and non-French citizens regardless of where they are currently living, although it depends on where one was born. The following table summarizes the process:
If you were born in France, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, or St. Pierre-et-Miquelon | If you were born in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, or Wallis & Futuna | If you were born outside of France |
---|---|---|
Apply at the Ministere de la Justice website. The application is only in French |
Apply at the Tribunal of your place of birth. See the Casier Judiciaire National website. The application is only in French |
Apply in writing by mail or email to the Casier Judiciaire National. Obtain contact details at Casier Judiciaire National website. The application is only in French |
In all cases please consult the Criminal Affairs and Pardons section of the Casier Judiciaire National website for required documents. If, however, you were born in the French Terristories (New Caledonia, French Polynesia, or Wallis & Futuna) or abroad – that is, columns 2 and 3 in the table above – then you will need the following documentation:
- A computer scan or photo of a valid ID in PDF, GIF, or JPEG format (5MB or less); OR
- A photocopy of a valid ID.
8. Police Certificate from the United Kingdom
by West Midlands Police / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
Regardless of whether you are a UK citizen or not, or whether you are living in the UK or living abroad, you should apply for a police certificate through the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Criminal Records Office (ACRO) by going to their website here. After applying online, you will receive a physical copy of your police certificate. In all cases you will be required to submit the following documentation:
- Proof of current address
- A recent passport-style colour photograph
- Colour photocopies of your:
- Passport, OR
- Travel document OR
- Official photographic identity document
- Copies of any necessary legal documents like:
- Power of attorney
- Authorization document
- Signed letter of authority, etc.
- Valid email address
- Address history for last 10 years, including dates lived at each address
- Endorser details: your application for a police certificate must be endorsed by suitable individual. You must provide:
- Endorser’s full name
- Endorser’s occupation
- Endorser’s relation to you (Family members are NOT allowed to be endorsers)
- UK National Insurance Number and Driving License Number (if applicable)
Applications can be done by third-parties but only with a signed letter of authorization from the person seeking the police certificate along with proof of the original applicant’s signature on a copy of one of their official ID’s (like a passport).
If you apply online at the site listed above, you must complete the application in one sitting. If you leave your online application form for 60 minutes without finishing it, it will be deleted. You cannot save a partially completed application for later.
If you cannot pay by credit card and do not wish to apply online, you can use the UK post. Go here for information on how to download an application form and send it by post (mail).
The fees for a UK Police certificate are:
- £45 for a Standard Service application (10 working days not including dates of receipt or dispatch)
- £80 for a Premium Service application (2 working days not including dates of receipt or dispatch).
7. Police Certificate from Syria
by Dickelbers / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Because of the current instability in Syria, you will only have to provide a police certificate if you are asked for one, otherwise you don’t have to. The process is as follows:
Syrians | Non-Syrian | |
---|---|---|
Residents of Syria | Apply at: Ministry of the Interior; Interior Services Forces; Directorate of Criminal Security Department; Criminal Records Branch; Judicial Records Division. Required documents:
|
Apply in the city in which you permanently reside at: Minister of Interior; Internal Security Forces; Criminal Security Administration. Required documents: |
Citizens/Former Residents Outside of Syria | Apply at your nearest Syrian embassy | Apply at your nearest Syrian embassy |
6. Police Certificate from the United States of America
by Matthew Daley / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
In the USA, a police certificate is called an Identity History Summary and is issued by the FBI. The following table summarizes how to apply for one, depending on your status, and the method you wish to use.
US Citizens | Non-citizens | |
---|---|---|
Online |
An electronic records-check normally takes about 3 – 5 business days. |
An electronic records-check normally takes about 3 – 5 business days. |
By mail |
You will receive a letter from the FBI detailing the results of your record check. This is your police certificate. A certificate by mail may take over 60 days to process. |
|
By a Channeler | U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply to an FBI-approved channeler (a third-party who will represent you and handle your request). Go here for a list of FBI-approved channelers. Once the FBI has completed their search, they will give the results to the channeler who will in turn provide you with a record check letter. |
Non-citizens and non-permanent residents cannot use an FBI-approved channeler. |
5. Police Certificate from Pakistan
by Shameel / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
In Pakistan police certificates are known as Police Clearances, and are generally issued by the appropriate police authority (see the table below) depending on your status. Outside of Pakistan, they are obtained by going to the nearest embassy or consulate of Pakistan. Please remember that the Canadian Consulate in Islamabad does NOT issue police certificates. They are issued by either the local police authority or through the consulate or embassy, as mentioned. The following table summarizes the procedures for obtaining a police certificate from Pakistan:
Pakistan Citizens | Non-Citizens | |
---|---|---|
Pakistan Residents |
|
Apply at the local district office of the Senior Superintendent of Police of the Police Security Branch. You will need the following:
|
Non-Residents living abroad | Go to nearest embassy or consulate of Pakistan and bring the following documents:
OR, a relative living in Pakistan can fill out the application form and present:
|
Apply at the nearest embassy or consulate of Pakistan, with the following:
|
4. Police Certificate from Iran
by مانفی / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
The requirements for obtaining a police certificate in Iran are often subject to change so one should first check here at the Iranian Police website (in Persian only) to see if they have recently been changed. Be advised that access to this website is not always available. The general procedures are summarized below:
Iranian Citizens | |
---|---|
Living in Iran | Apply in person at POLICE + 10 centre with:
|
Living abroad | Apply at nearest Iranian embassy with:
|
3. Police Certificate from China
by CEphoto/Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
There are 2 types of police certificates in China:
- Certificate of No Criminal Convictions – issued by the local police station and Public Security Bureau (PBS), OR
- Notary Certificate of No Criminal Convictions – issued by the notary public office.
With either police certificate you will also need a notarized translation when gathering your documents for an application for permanent residence in Canada. The following table summarizes the procedures involved:
Chinese Citizens | Non-Citizens | |
---|---|---|
Residents of China – applying at Notary Public Office |
|
|
Residents of China – applying at local police station |
|
|
Residents of China – Using a Representative |
|
|
Non-residents living abroad | If you live abroad, you should ask a family member who is listed in your Hukou booklet to represent you and follow the steps listed above. | If you live abroad, you should use a representative and follow the steps listed above. |
2. Police Certificate from India
by DashNistha / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
In India a police certificate is called a Police Clearance Certificate. This is not the same as a Character Certificate which is NOT accepted by the IRCC. How you apply will depend on where you live in India. The following table summarizes the procedures involved:
Indian Citizens | Non-Citizens | |
---|---|---|
Residents of India |
|
Apply at your local district police station. |
Non-residents living abroad | Apply at your nearest Indian embassy or consulate. | Apply at your nearest Indian embassy or consulate. |
1. Police Certificate from The Philippines
by Oyvind Holmstad / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
In the Philippines, a police certificate is either called:
- National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) Clearance Certificate, which were issued before January 2018 and printed on green paper, OR
- Multi-Purpose Clearance Certificate, which have been issued since October 2017 and are printed on blue paper.
Your certificate must have a thumbprint and include a dry seal. Applicants with HIT status (those who have a pending criminal case against them in Philippine courts) will have to submit to an interview. The Clearance Certificate is in English, so no translated copy is required. The requirements do not depend on whether you are a Philippine citizen but rather on where you live. They are summarized as follows:
If you live in the Philippines | If you live abroad |
---|---|
|
|