The Canada police certificate is issued by the local Canadian Police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Canadian citizens are required to provide a Canada police certificate when applying for a work visa, study visa, overseas immigration, and permanent residence.
The validity period of the report is not stated on the Canada police certificate, but the Chinese government generally requires the police certificate to be issued within 6 months, and the Canada police certificate beyond 6 months will not be accepted and needs to be reapplied.
Types of Canada Police Certificate
1.Name-based criminal record checks
Using names and dates of birth is the most common way to check a person’s criminal history.
Name-based criminal record checks are done checking against the RCMP’s Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) system.They consist of a check of the National Repository of Criminal Records based on a person’s name and date of birth. It may also include searches of other national and local databases.
2.Fingerprint-based criminal record checks
A fingerprint search of the National Repository of Criminal Records is conducted by RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
The fingerprints submitted to CCRTIS for criminal record checks are only used to confirm your identity. At no time are fingerprints added to a database where they could be subject to search.
Sample of Canada Police Certificate issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Documents Required for Canada Police Certificate
1. Name-based criminal record checks
1) Application form
2) Scanned copy of the Canadian passport page
3) Scanned copy of a Canadian citizenship card or driver license
2.Fingerprint-based criminal record checks
1) Scanned copy of the Canadian passport page
2) Scanned copy of a Canadian citizenship card or driver license
3) Application form
4) Fingerprint card
Processing time for Canada Police Certificate
1. Name-based criminal record checks
The general processing time of the local police station is 2-3 working days.
2.Fingerprint-based criminal record checks
After the fingerprints arrive at the RCMP, they are expected to issue a police certificate within 7 working days.
Consular legalization of Canada Police Certificate
Consular legalization by the Chinese embassy or consulate in Canada is required when the Canada police certificate is used for China work visa or permanent residence application.
The documents required for consular legalization of the Canada police certificate are as follows:
1. Copy of the applicant’s passport page.
2. Copy of police certificate.
3. Application form for notarization and authentication.
Process and time of consular legalization
Process:
1. Get it certified / notarized by the Canadian Notary Public or lawyer.
2. Get it authenticated at Global Affairs of Canada or provincial governments.
3. Get it legalized at Chinese Embassy/Consulate.
Time:
In general, it takes 15 working days to apply for the consular legalization of police certificate, not including the mailing time. The expedited processing time is10 working days, not including the mailing time.