It makes sense you're confused about this, and it's an oddity of CIC.Vitesze, thanks for you detailed and prompt response.
Now, I am really confused. Allow me to explain the reason for my confusion.
This is what I am reading right now for Netherlands PCC, "Do I need to provide a Police Certificate with my Application for Permanent Residence? No. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will send you a letter requesting a police certificate after you send your Application for Permanent Residence. You must provide that letter when you apply for a Police Certificate."
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/police-certificates/how/netherlands.html
Can you clarify, how am I supposed to get this 'letter' before getting an ITA?
And regarding BRP, there is a section that says, 'When someone moves abroad, their personal data is transferred to the non-residents section of the Personal Records Database'. https://www.government.nl/topics/personal-data/personal-records-database-brp
I remember that I had received my Dutch Residence Permit Card in Oct. 2014. They had also given me a 'burgerservicenummer' (BSN) then. And I also remember that I had to surrender my Dutch Residence Permit Card via my university in Netherlands while leaving the country in March 2016 after completing my Master's degree. So how can I be sure that the Municipality does not have my records in their Non-Resident Section?
Are you saying that the 'Authorization' on my behalf is not possible at all for Option 1 (Municipality) or Option 2 (Justis)?
https://www.justis.nl/producten/vog/certificate-of-conduct/faq/can-someone-else-apply-for-me.aspx
I know at least one case of my classmate who chose Option 2 had to wait for long and got it finally via an Authorized person on her behalf.
Do you understand why I'm confused now?
The reasoning for this is as follow: the VOG traditionally is used by Dutch employers to have confirmation people they're hiring, giving access to classified information, money, etc. don't have a criminal record that implicates their ability to carry out said duty. Due to privacy regulations however, an employer can't just ask for a VOG - there must be a valid reason for it. As such, Justis decided a VOG-request must always be accompanied with an official letter from the employer stating this reason. This is the official procedure for VOGs, and therefore CIC will tell you that you need this letter.
However, in recent years Justis added an extra option to their application form when indicating the purpose of the VOG - called "06 visa and emigration". When this option is ticked, Justis does not need an official letter and simply issues the VOG directly to you. I have done this on two separate occasions. Nonetheless, CIC is not aware of this change, so the advice they give here can be considered outdated.
On to your next question: the "non-resident section of the Personals Record Database" is commonly referred to as RNI. The RNI can be considered a subset of the BRP. The RNI however is limited to people living abroad who still hold ties to the Netherlands (e.g. Dutch citizen, property owner, business owner, tax payer, etc.). Don't pin me on this, but if you held no ties to the NL upon leaving the country, I assume you are not currently in the RNI (or BRP).
As I already pointed out, going with Option 1 (Municipality) is not possible due to not being in the BRP.
The correct way of applying is Option 2 (Justis). Since you do this remotely (email), authorization is not required. Here is the relevant page stating this.
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