Police Clearance Certificate

[Kinjal Patel]

Hi,

I will soon be applying for a Canadian Permanent Residency under family class. And I have a question regarding the PCC requirements:

Guide 3999E states: "PCC documents are to be provided for each country other than Canada, in which you have lived for six consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18."

However, one other guide (3904E) states: "Police certificates or clearances from each country in which you and every one in your family aged 18 years or older have resided for six months or more since reaching 18 years of age.". This guide does not use the word "consecutive", hence my confusion.

I was in Australia for 10-11 months on a business visa, but always returned to India within 90 days. So I have not stayed in Australia for 6 consecutive months. So does it mean that I won't need a Police Clearance Certificate from Australia. Please advise. Also note that I was staying in a Hotel every time I visited Australia.

Looking forward to your kind response.

Thanks and regards,
Kinjal

 

[shawngt2]

You could call CIC and ask this question, but I would say if in doubt and if you can get this document, get it. There will be no reason to ask for this at a later time, which can delay things. My opinion is that even though you left for a short period, it would still be counted as consecutive.

I advise caution in relying on CIC hotline answers as they seem to not know things themselves and appear to be guessing in some of my past experiences, what really matters is that the CIC officer reviewing the case may feel differently and want to see this certificate.

Good Luck!

 

[wilson]

Hi,

I will soon be applying for a Canadian Permanent Residency under family class. And I have a question regarding the PCC requirements:

Guide 3999E states: "PCC documents are to be provided for each country other than Canada, in which you have lived for six consecutive months or longer since reaching the age of 18."

However, one other guide (3904E) states: "Police certificates or clearances from each country in which you and every one in your family aged 18 years or older have resided for six months or more since reaching 18 years of age.". This guide does not use the word "consecutive", hence my confusion.

I was in Australia for 10-11 months on a business visa, but always returned to India within 90 days. So I have not stayed in Australia for 6 consecutive months. So does it mean that I won't need a Police Clearance Certificate from Australia. Please advise. Also note that I was staying in a Hotel every time I visited Australia.

Looking forward to your kind response.

Thanks and regards,
Kinjal

Hi,
As you were in Australia on a business visa for more than 6 months, you should obtain PCC from that country. A break in between the period of visit will not exempt you from submitting a PCC.

 

[MandiF]

Also remember if you are getting a police clearance certificate for Australia, you are required to also get a traffic history if you stayed in certain states.

 

[Kinjal Patel]

Thank you all for a very quick response!

 

[TracyS]

Hi, I am also going to get an Australian police clearance. I know you have to have fingerprints taken. Has anybody had any experience on the timeframe to get the police clearance done? On the federal police website they state a waiting time of at least 30 days at the moment for fingerprint checks. Thank you.

 

[MandiF]

Mine took a lot longer than 30 to be received, closer to 2 months, although they did have to send it from Australia to UK.

 

[TracyS]

yikes..that's a long time. It makes it hard when you have a few to collect and they all need to be within 3 months validity.