Several news outlets have recently reported on changes to police certificates for temporary residents, with some suggesting that Canada has abolished the police certificate requirement for temporary residents.
However, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has not changed its policy regarding police certificates, and applicants seeking temporary residency in Canada should be aware that they may be required to present one.
According to the IRCC’s website, “When you apply as a visitor, student or temporary worker, we may ask you for a certificate.”
On another page, IRCC writes,
“You might need a police certificate if you’re coming to Canada as a:
- tourist
- student
- temporary worker
- live-in caregiver.”
IRCC makes abundantly clear that while police certificates are not always necessary for temporary residents—unlike for applicants for permanent residence or citizenship—they may very well be required.
What is a police certificate?
A police certificate is an official document that says that the individual has no criminal record or, if they have, provides a copy of that record.
Police certificates are issued by the regional police jurisdiction and can be referred to by a variety of names, including “good conduct certificates” and “judicial record extracts.”
If the document is not written in English or French, it must be submitted with a certified translation.
Why might police certificates be required?
Police certificates assist officials in confirming that a person is not inadmissible to enter Canada owing to criminality.
All individuals seeking entry into Canada as temporary residents should be informed that they may be required to present a police certificate.
