How Background Verification is Done in Canada?

How background verification is done in Canada is the most common question among individuals applying for visas, immigration, job roles, and citizenship programs. In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) issues background checks and verifies your criminal records. 

Here are the scenarios where you will need criminal background verification in Canada. 

1. A criminal background verification report is a vital requirement for individuals applying for permanent residency in Canada. However, in most situations, you don’t need to submit it upfront. The authorities will notify if the background check report is required. 
2. Certain employers and volunteer organizations may ask you to submit your background verification report. It will help them analyze your suitability for the role. 
3. Criminal background checks are needed for US immigration or for immigration to other countries. 
4. To ensure the safety of children for adoption or foster care, authorities may ask you to submit your background verification report.
5. Some Canadian authorities might mandate the submission of your background verification report for work permits or visa applications. This is valid in case you are applying for a visa outside of Canada or even if you want to review your visa status within Canada. 
    

Do you want to know how background verification is done in Canada? To obtain a background verification report online, it is essential to consult with an RCMP-accredited agency like Globeia. Listed are the processes related to obtaining a background verification report in Canada. 

1. Select the Type of Criminal Record Check 
   At the initial stage, you must select the type of criminal background verification you need. In Canada, the CPIC (Level 1 Check) and the CRJMC (Level 2 Check) can be completed online. At times you might be required to go through Vulnerable Sector Check in case you are seeking employment or volunteer position, which has exposure to vulnerable populations like kids, elderly people or individuals with disabilities. This check cannot be done online or through any third-party agency. For this check you must consult your local police station. 
   It is worth noting here that the processing time for the online application varies based on the background verification check you select. 
    
2. Fingerprint Submission 
   In certain scenarios, you will be asked to submit your fingerprints for criminal background verification for a Level 3 RCMP check. When fingerprint submissions are involved, the background verification check cannot be completed online. The process involves submitting your fingerprints to the RCMP through digital fingerprint submission or engaging the services of an accredited digital fingerprinting agency like Globeia to digitize your fingerprint card if you are applying from outside Canada.
    
3. Complete the application and payment
   The application process for criminal background verification can be complicated. Therefore, you should collaborate with agencies accredited by the RCMP for a seamless experience from start to finish. After completing the application and sharing important documents, proceed with the payment. Upon successful payment, the agency will forward your application to its police partners for further processing promptly. 
    
4. Results
   You can receive the results in PDF via email if you completed an online check. Alternatively, results are issued as a physical document when applying for the Level 3 RCMP check.
    

While you can apply for a CRJMC or CPIC through the police station, applying online through an RCMP-accredited agency helps you save time and money. Additionally, for the Level 3 check, the RCMP only accepts electronic fingerprints submitted by an accredited agency from within Canada. As an RCMP-accredited agency, Globeia can handle the entire process of criminal background checks from Canada. Contact us to get your criminal background verification report swiftly.