FAQ: Police Clearance Certificate For Canada Immigration

FAQ on Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) for Canada immigration: Covers who needs one (18+), validity, how to handle delays, official sources only, inadmissibility, and how services like Globeia can assist

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Globeia

June 3, 2025 • 5 min read

Who needs to submit a PCC for Canada immigration?
All applicants aged 18 or older must provide a PCC from:
Their current country of residence, and
Any country where they have lived consecutively for 6 months or more since turning 18.
How long is a PCC valid for Canadian immigration?
The document must be issued within 6 months of submitting your application for your current country.
Regardless of age, other countries must be issued after your last stay there.
What if I can’t get my PCC in 60 days?
If you're unable to get a PCC in time:
Provide a Letter of Explanation describing the delay
Include proof of your application efforts (receipts, emails, confirmations). IRCC may extend your deadline if your reason is valid.
Are online or third-party background check reports accepted?
No. IRCC does not accept digital reports or background checks from unauthorized private companies. Only official PCCs from police departments or IRCC-approved authorities are valid.
Can I use the same PCC for multiple applications?
If the PCC still meets IRCC’s validity criteria and the application is for the same immigration purpose, it can often be reused. However, you may still need to resubmit it or get a new one if IRCC requests it.

6.What kind of criminal history is considered inadmissible for Canada Immigration?

Individuals wishing to enter Canada, either permanently or temporarily as visitors, foreign workers or international students, may be denied entry if they or their dependents are deemed criminally inadmissible.

A person may be considered inadmissible on the grounds of either:

-Criminality; or

-Serious Criminality.

7.What is a Hybrid Offence?

An offense that can be tried in Canada through either summary conviction or indictment is known as a hybrid offense. For immigration purposes, a conviction for an act committed outside of Canada that is equivalent to a hybrid offense in Canada will be deemed an indictable offense. As long as the offense is comparable to a hybrid offense in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will consider the conviction to be indictable, even if it was a summary conviction in the area where it occurred.

8.How can I use Globeia to help get my PCC?

Yes. Globeia is an RCMP-accredited service provider that helps applicants:

-Obtain fingerprint-based criminal checks (in Canada and abroad)

-Translate PCCs into English or French

-Provide international PCC assistance depending on the country's regulations.