CIC police cert for country less than 6 months in a row

[ctfinc123]

I am sponsoring my common-law, she is from China. Since 18, she has not lived in China for more than 6 months in a row, she does return once every year to year and a half, the longest stay in China would just be shy of 3 months.

She did her medical examination back in September 2016, we submitted our application in December 2016 along with new police certificates. Here's what CIC said

"Police Certificate: From each country/state where the residence period has been six months or longer since the age of 18, provide an original police clearance certificate from People`s Republic of China."

Is that specifically asking for a police certification from China? Would the best thing to do to submit a letter to explain that she haven't lived there for periods of 6 months or more since her 18th birthday? That would mean she would have to re-do her medical certificate?

By CIC asking for new police certificates, are they anticipating they won't be able to complete our application within the year of our police certificates from December 2016?

 

[ctfinc123]

She's also about to complete her studies here in Canada, and has been here for more than 6 months. Do we need to get the Canadian police certificate as well?

 

[Bs65]

If you read the requirements it is a cumulative 6 months in total since 18 not individual periods of 6 months , quote from the CIC site :


Who needs a police certificate?

In general, you and all the people in your family who are 18 or older need to get a police certificate.

You may need a police certificate from any country or territory that you have spent six months or more since the age of 18.

For example: if you visited, worked or lived in a country for two months, left for a few years, then returned for four months, that counts as spending six months there. In this case, you would need a certificate.

If you need a police certificate from a country or territory and:

are currently living there, or received the police certificate before leaving, the police certificate must be issued within six months before you apply.
have lived there in the past, the police certificate must be issued after you last lived in that country or territory.



If CIC require a certificate from RCMP they will obtain one directly themselves.

 

[ctfinc123]

Ah damn. With notarization of the chinese police certificate, is that possible to get it notarized in Canada instead?

 

[K0nsumHure]

I would be surprised if it has to be notarized at all. It should come with some stamp or something from the Chinese authorities, no? Only a if you make a copy this might be an issue.

Also, how should a Canadian notary know if it's all in order? (Again, unless you're trying to send a copy which I wouldn't advice).