Police Certificates/Security Checks

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A requirement in the Canadian Immigration process is the necessity of submission of security clearances. This requirement is divided into two sections:

Police Certificates

Each Canadian Permanent Resident applicant over the age of 18 is required to provide proof that he/she has no criminal record. A police clearance must be obtained from every country where the applicant has resided for more than 6 months since their 18th birthday.

Most countries, with a few exceptions, issue police clearances. These clearances are sometimes referred to as “Certificates of Good Conduct” or Certificates of “No-Criminal Activity” and are usually valid for an average of 6 months. These certificates must be valid at the time of issuance of the Permanent Resident Visa. If the police certificates expire before the Permanent Resident Visa is issued, the applicant will be required to obtain a new set of clearances.

Obtaining a police certificate is the responsibility of each applicant and Canadian Immigration is unlikely to issue a Permanent Resident Visa until such time as the required police clearances are obtained and submitted.

Security Clearance/ Background Checks

Background checks are carried out on every Permanent Resident applicant over the age of 18. These checks are used to identify criminals and known security threats (espionage, subversion or terrorism). To ensure that the protection and safety of Canada is maintained, various sources are consulted for the completion of background checks, including but not limited to visa application forms, intelligence information, criminal conviction records and immigration records.

Once all information is received, it is carefully reviewed to determine the likeliness that the applicant is a threat to Canadian security. If any questions or concerns arise a Security Interview will be scheduled in order that the Immigration Officer may discuss these findings with the applicant. Failure to pass the background check is grounds for an immediate refusal of the Permanent Resident Application.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in conjunction with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) administers the background checks. Since Canadian officials confer with other governments, departments and/or organization it may take several months for the completion of the background checks.

A PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA CANNOT BE ISSUED UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE CLEARED.

APPLICANTS CAN BE REFUSED FOR
- CRIMINAL INADMISSIBILITY.