Received an ITA? Don't Make This Costly Mistake

To apply for permanent residence through Express Entry, the applicant is required to submit the complete and accurate application within 60 days of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) . One of the challenges of applying can be getting a police certificate. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires a police certificate to verify whether the applicant has a criminal history or not. IRCC requires police certificates from most countries where an applicant has lived for six consecutive months or more after turning 18. It can take a considerable amount of time to obtain a police certificate. To not put your Canada PR application at risk, it is advisable to apply for the police certificate as soon as the applicant is in the Express Entry pool.

Obtaining Your Police Clearance Certificate in India for Canada PR

If you have lived in India for six consecutive months or more after turning 18, then you will need a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from India to apply for a Canadian permanent residence through IRCC Express Entry.

Indian applicants can apply for a PCC through the portal of Passport Seva. They must first register on the portal, then complete the application for the PCC, and then pay the prescribed fee. An applicant can then schedule an appointment at their nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO). They must carry their original passport and other supporting documents on the day of the appointment. The PCC may be issued immediately or after police verification depending on the case.

Note: Upload a clear color scan of the original PCC. IRCC does not accept photocopies, certified true copies, or altered documents. Obtaining a PCC can take time, particularly if police verification is required. Hence, to avoid delays in submitting a PR application, it is recommended to apply for PCC before receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

How Long Is an Indian Police Clearance Certificate Valid for Canada PR?

An Indian Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for Permanent residence Canada application is considered valid if it was issued within six months before you submit your application, provided the applicant is currently living in India. If the applicant has left India and does not return to live there, the PCC remains acceptable as long as it was issued after your last stay in India.

Steps to Take When a Request Letter Is Needed to Obtain a Certificate

Sometimes due to case-specific issues, you may be asked for an official IRCC request letter before you are issued a police certificate. In such a circumstance, you can still submit your PR application within the 60-day deadline by uploading a document explaining that your country requires an IRCC request letter to obtain the certificate in the document checklist field for the police certificate. IRCC will review your application, and if it is complete, it will, if needed, provide additional instructions for obtaining the police certificate.

How to Proceed When a Police Certificate Is Unavailable Before the Deadline

There can arise a situation where you have not been able to obtain your police certificate before the 60-day Express Entry ITA deadline even after making efforts. In such a scenario you can still apply for permanent residence by showing your genuine efforts made to obtain it. IRCC recognizes that obtaining police certificates can sometimes be challenging and therefore has in place measures to help you. You have to provide a letter explaining why the certificate is unavailable and also evidence proving the steps you took to obtain the certificate before the deadline. To prove your genuine effort to obtain the certificate, you can give proof such as application confirmations, payment receipts, tracking details, delivery records, or emails/letters from the issuing authority explaining delays. 

These documents have to be uploaded in the country-specific police certificate section of your application document checklist. An IRCC officer will review your explanation and evidence and will decide whether your efforts were reasonable. Acceptance of the given documentation is completely at the discretion of the reviewing officer. If you submit your application without the police clearance certificate and without proof of your attempts to obtain it, the application may be considered incomplete or refused. If you are unable to provide enough proof for your efforts to obtain the certificate, then you may consider declining the ITA and waiting for a future invitation, provided your Express Entry profile remains valid.

Conclusion

Failing to upload a police certificate can lead to challenges for Express Entry applicants. It can affect the whole Canada PR process. Hence, early preparation and documentation are important to avoid issues. It is always ideal to prepare the required documents well in advance of receiving an IRCC invitation to apply so as to ensure that all documents are in order before submitting an application. 

ImmiLaw Global, the best Canada PR consultant Kerala will help applicants review the documents and advise on the steps to take to reduce the risk of application delays or refusals. We will guide you in obtaining a police certificate, as well as in preparing explanations, organizing supporting evidence, and ensuring that your application is submitted in accordance with IRCC regulations.

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