Do I need police certificates?
It depends on what you apply for, how old each person is, and where they have lived since turning 18. Permanent residence, citizenship and International Experience Canada need them. A few questions find IRCC's rule for you.
Every quote below was checked word for word on IRCC’s own pages on October 24, 2026. Each answer names its source page and that page’s date.
What IRCC says, situation by situation
No: not for time spent in Canada.
Not for your time in Canada
In IRCC’s words:
“You don’t need to give us police certificates for any period of time before you were 18 years old or for time spent in Canada.”
IRCC Help Centre: do I need a police certificate for my time in Canada?
Source: IRCC, page dated February 19, 2026
No: not for any time before age 18.
Not for any time before age 18
In IRCC’s words:
“You don’t need to give us police certificates for any period of time before you were 18 years old or for time spent in Canada.”
Source: IRCC, page dated February 19, 2026
Yes: for each country with a 6-month stay in the last 10 years.
Yes, from every country with a stay of 6 months in a row or longer in the last 10 years
In IRCC’s words:
“every country you (or a family member) stayed in during the last 10 years for 6 months in a row or longer”
“you and your family members who are 18 years or older”
“It can take a long time to get police certificates. You should consider asking for them as soon as your profile is in the pool.”
“The police certificate for the country where you currently live must be issued no more than 6 months before the date you submit your application.”
“After you apply, an officer may ask for additional police certificates from any time in your life since you were 18 years old.”
IRCC: how to get a police certificate, country by country
Source: IRCC, page dated June 22, 2026
No, but an officer may ask for one after you apply.
The system won't ask, but an officer may
IRCC's online system asks only for stays of 6 months in a row or longer in the last 10 years. An officer may still ask for any period since you turned 18; getting one early can avoid delays.
In IRCC’s words:
“After you apply, an officer may ask for additional police certificates from any time in your life since you were 18 years old.”
“The system will not ask for a police certificate, but an officer may ask for one from Spain after she submits her application. To avoid delays, Lailah could ask for a police certificate from Spain and submit it with her application.”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 22, 2026
No: not for time before age 18 or spent in Canada.
Not for time before age 18 or in Canada
In IRCC’s words:
“You don’t need to give us police certificates for any period of time before you were 18 years old or for time spent in Canada.”
“After you apply, an officer may ask for additional police certificates from any time in your life since you were 18 years old.”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 22, 2026
Yes: check your program's document checklist for details.
Yes: check your program's guide for which countries
Each permanent residence program's guide and document checklist say which countries and periods it asks for. IRCC's general timing rules follow on its 'when' page.
In IRCC’s words:
“You must provide a police certificate if you apply for: ... permanent residence”
“You and any family member 18 or older may need to get a police certificate, depending on the program you’re applying to.”
“Check the program’s document checklist or local visa office requirements for details.”
IRCC: application forms and guides (each program's document checklist)
Source: IRCC, page dated February 19, 2026
Yes: for an adult grant or resuming your citizenship.
Yes, for an adult grant or a resumption of citizenship
In IRCC’s words:
“If you’re applying for citizenship, you need to submit a police certificate for the following citizenship applications:”
“adult (18 and over)”
“resuming your Canadian citizenship (after giving it up)”
“You don’t need to give us police certificates for any period of time before you were 18 years old or for time spent in Canada.”
Source: IRCC, page dated February 19, 2026
Yes: in most cases, with your work permit application.
Yes, in most cases with your work permit application
In IRCC’s words:
“If you’re an International Experience Canada candidate, in most cases you’ll need to provide a police certificate when you submit your work permit application.”
“The police certificate for the country where you currently reside must be issued no more than 6 months before the date you submit your application. As processing times may vary, we may ask you for updated certificates.”
“For any other country, the police certificate must be issued after the last time you resided there for 6 consecutive months or longer since the age of 18.”
Source: IRCC, page dated February 19, 2026
Yes, if your program's document checklist asks for one.
You may need one: check your program's document checklist
In IRCC’s words:
“If you have a prior criminal record, you may need to provide a police certificate for any other programs.”
“Check the program’s document checklist or local visa office requirements for details.”
IRCC: application forms and guides (each program's document checklist)
Source: IRCC, page dated February 19, 2026
Yes, if your program's instruction guide says so.
Check your program's instruction guide
IRCC requires police certificates for permanent residence, citizenship and International Experience Canada. For other programs, the guide or the visa office says whether you need one.
In IRCC’s words:
“If you’re applying to any other immigration program, check the instruction guide for the program you are applying for.”
IRCC: application forms and guides (each program's document checklist)
Source: IRCC, page dated February 19, 2026
Yes: upload a note; IRCC sends the letter if all else is complete.
Upload a note saying so; IRCC sends the letter if your application is otherwise complete
In IRCC’s words:
“Some countries will give you a police certificate only if you have a request letter from us. If this applies to you”
“upload a document in the police certificate field in the document checklist that says “I am applying from a country that requires an official request letter from IRCC to get a police certificate.””
“We’ll then review your application. If it is otherwise complete , we’ll send you more information on how to get a police certificate.”
IRCC Help Centre: countries to get police certificates from before you apply
Source: IRCC, page dated February 19, 2026
Yes, but if late, send a letter and proof of best effort.
Send a letter of explanation and proof of your best effort
In IRCC’s words:
“If you do not have all your police certificates by the 60-day deadline, you can provide:”
“a letter of explanation, and”
“proof that shows you made your best effort to get a police certificate on time”
“You can upload your letter of explanation and proof in the country-specific police certificate field of your document checklist.”
“An officer will review your application. If they’re not satisfied that you made your best effort, your application may be rejected for being incomplete.”
Source: IRCC, page dated June 22, 2026
Yes, but send proof you tried and a letter; acceptance isn't guaranteed.
Send proof you asked and a letter explaining what you tried; acceptance is not guaranteed
In IRCC’s words:
“If you can’t get a police certificate from your country or territory”
“show proof that you requested a police certificate from the correct authorities”
“write a letter explaining all you’ve done to try to get one”
“Even if you send us both of the above items, we can’t guarantee we’ll accept your application.”
IRCC Help Centre: what if I can't get a police certificate?
Source: IRCC, page dated August 13, 2026
What would change the answer
- What you apply for: permanent residence, citizenship and International Experience Canada need them.
- Each person 18 or older needs their own.
- Where you stayed 6 months in a row or longer since turning 18 (for Express Entry, in the last 10 years).
What you might not have asked yet
- Most permanent residence applicants need a medical exam too: do you?
- Applying through Express Entry? Which programs fit you?
- Thinking about International Experience Canada: can you take part?
- Why does IRCC ask for police certificates? IRCC's Help Centre answers that
Sources
- IRCC › application/medical-police/police-certificates/who · page dated February 19, 2026
- IRCC › application/medical-police/police-certificates/when · page dated February 19, 2026
- IRCC › immigrate-canada/express-entry/apply-permanent-residence/police-certificates · page dated June 22, 2026
- IRCC › application/medical-police/police-certificates/how · page dated August 13, 2026
Other answers
- Am I eligible for an Express Entry program?
- As a caregiver, can I change jobs, move, or apply for PR?
- As an asylum claimant, can I get a work or study permit?
- Can a positive LMIA be changed?
- Can I apply for a study permit from inside Canada (or for my child)?
- Can I apply for a work permit from inside Canada?
- Can I apply for a work permit when I arrive at the border?
- Can I change employers on my work permit?
- Can I change the sex or gender identifier on my IRCC documents?
- Can I come to Canada as a business visitor, without a work permit?
- Can I come to Canada with a criminal record?
- Can I get a bridging open work permit?
- Can I get a post-graduation work permit, and can I work while I wait?
- Can I get an immigration loan, and how do I repay it?
- Can I get two-week work permit processing?
- Can I immigrate as a self-employed person or start-up founder?
- Can I include or sponsor my child, and up to what age?
- Can I keep my permanent resident status, and travel without a PR card?
- Can I keep working while my work permit extension is processed?
- Can I leave Canada and come back on my permit or status?
- Can I sponsor a refugee?
- Can I sponsor my parents or grandparents?
- Can I stay in Canada as a visitor, and for longer than I was given?
- Can I take a short course in Canada without a study permit?
- Can I take free government-funded language classes?
- Can I take part in International Experience Canada (again)?
- Can I work while I study in Canada?
- Can my family come with me while I work or study in Canada?
- Can my spouse or partner work in Canada?
- Could a health condition make me inadmissible to Canada (excessive demand)?
- Do I need a language test, and which one counts?
- Do I need a representative, and who may help me?
- Do I need a visa or an eTA to come to Canada?
- Do I need an immigration medical exam?
- Do I need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photo), or give them again?
- Does my credential assessment (ECA) let me work in my profession?
- Does the employer have to invite Job Match candidates?
- Does the low-wage cap apply to this employer?
- Does this LMIA job ad meet ESDC's advertising rules?
- My application was refused: can I still do something about it?
- My employer is treating me unfairly: can I get help and keep my status?
- Will I lose my other citizenship if I become Canadian?
Written by AHI Life from IRCC’s own pages; the quotes are IRCC’s words, re-read on their pages every day. General information, not legal advice, and not yet reviewed by a licensed consultant (RCIC). Only a licensed representative may charge you for immigration advice.