Latest PCC Guidelines for Canada PR Applicants (2025)

A PCC or police clearance certificate is one of the most important steps if you need to go for immigration, employment, Long-term visa applications, adoption applications, legal name changes, volunteering with vulnerable Groups, and Canadian federal employment. This guide contains the latest updates on obtaining your police clearance certificate. 

A PCC is a formal document that verifies a person's criminal history and is issued by the police or government agency of a nation. This certificate reassures Canadian authorities that you pose no threat to national security or public safety when applying for permanent residence in Canada.

PCC is important for individuals 18 or older wishing to obtain permanent residency in Canada. While applying for residency in Canada, you must get a police clearance certificate from your country of residence. You will also need to get a PCC from every country you have lived in for six months or more since you turned 18. It is essential to verify that applicants do not have an outstanding warrant or pending jurisdiction matter that requires attention while they are applying for residency in Canada. 

According to the latest updates to the guidelines for Canada PR applicants, a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is valid for six months from the date of issue in the country where you have resided recently. For other countries, the PCC must be issued six months or more after your last stay in that country. If the certificate expires, IRCC will accept it as long as it was issued after your previous stay in the country for six consecutive months and it is not for the country where you currently reside.

When it comes to getting a permanent residency in Canada, there are specific rules that you need to follow. Some countries will only give you a police certificate if you have a request letter from Canadian authorities. When submitting documents for verification, please note that police certificates must be scanned copies of the original certificate(s) in colour. Certified true copies or unauthorized copies won’t be accepted and will result in your application being rejected. Another case in which you need a police certificate depends on the program. Express Entry, International Experience Canada, and Citizenship Programs have specific timelines to follow to obtain a PCC on time.  

In most cases, there are third-party agencies or local police that can assist you in obtaining a PCC. You will have to submit the following documents.

• Photographs
• Fingerprints
• Details of your addresses and residency periods in that country.
• Paying a fee for the certificate.

Individuals outside Canada who wish to apply for residency in the country must visit a local fingerprint agency to have their fingerprints authorized. This can be submitted via third-party accredited agencies, such as Globeia, to the RCMP, the sole authority for fingerprint-based checks. The pricing range for these services varies from $130 to $300, depending on the services they provide for you. 

Depending upon your location at the time of application for permanent residency and your immigration officer, you can either upload a PDF of the required documents online or mail original copies. You must verify the information in your file and act accordingly to the suggestions provided in the submission requirements. Ensure that the entire process is completed within 60 days. 

Once you get a request from the Canadian authorities to submit the forms, you have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residence. If, due to technical issues, you are unable to submit the document, you must still submit it. 

• A letter of explanation with proof
• Some examples of proof documents include 
  • A Confirmation Receipt
  • A Payment Receipt
  • A Delivery Notice
  • A Tracking Number

An explanation from the agency that issues the certificate showing why there is a delay or why it can’t be issued

For individuals residing in the United States, obtaining an FBI police certificate is essential. The authorities do not accept digital copies from third-party vendors. The certificate is valid only if it was issued within 3 months of the application date. Certificates dated before their renewal must be updated to ensure the latest information is shared with the authorities. 

• Ensure that the certificate you share is the latest and has been updated by the proper authorities under their jurisdiction.
• If you have obtained a French or non-English PCC, you must provide an accurate translation for Canadian authorities to make an informed decision about your permanent residency.  
• As discussed above, there are country-specific requirements that you must adhere to when obtaining a PCC. Your application may get rejected if you do not note this detail. 
• Since you only have 60 days to complete your application details, you must keep track of the processing time for your current residence country. Your application will be rejected if you fail to comply with the rules and provide a logical explanation. 
   

You need to have a keen eye for detail and meticulous precision when applying for a PCC for Canadian PR. If you fill out the details correctly and keep an eye on the process, you can get a permanent residency in no time. Following the latest 2025 PCC guidelines significantly increases your chances of a smooth and timely approval.