Additional request for Police Certificate

[Scarpetta]

So we have a situation: outland applicant, AOR received two days ago.
Today I receive an email asking to update one of the police certificates that we attached.

The requirement of the Checklist (IMM5533, part 4) is that you need to attach the certificate for the country where you currently live, and for the one where you lived the longest since the age of 18.
I've moved around a lot for work, so we made the mistake of attaching the certificates for all (6) countries where I lived since the age of 18 thinking it would help demonstrate that despite my nomadic lifestyle I am still a citizen in good standing.

Now, they asked to update the certificate for a country where I haven't lived in 8 years (Italy). The certificate is now expired, cause I got it pre-covid, but this page here (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/apply-permanent-residence/police-certificates.html granted, it's for the Express Entry program) says that if you haven't returned to the country in question, then IRCC would still accept it.
Getting a new expedited certificate is at least 4 weeks and around 1,000 EUR, and it's not even a requirement..

I now sent a Case Specific Enquiry form asking them to reconsider due to the fact that Italy is neither my current country of residence, nor the longest I've lived in since the age of 18 (and the current and longest certificates were both provided and they were both issued just a month ago).

I would appreciate any thoughts on the following:
1) Has IRCC ever been known to reconsider in situations like this?
2) How long does it typically take for IRCC to respond? (and would they even care to respond, or am I just delaying my own process by not applying for an Italian certificate immediately? As you can imagine, I would really love to avoid spending a thousand euros on something potentially unnecessary).
3) Any other helpful thoughts would be very much appreciated..

 

[Dimilitantey]

So we have a situation: outland applicant, AOR received two days ago.
Today I receive an email asking to update one of the police certificates that we attached.

The requirement of the Checklist (IMM5533, part 4) is that you need to attach the certificate for the country where you currently live, and for the one where you lived the longest since the age of 18.
I've moved around a lot for work, so we made the mistake of attaching the certificates for all (6) countries where I lived since the age of 18 thinking it would help demonstrate that despite my nomadic lifestyle I am still a citizen in good standing.

Now, they asked to update the certificate for a country where I haven't lived in 8 years (Italy). The certificate is now expired, cause I got it pre-covid, but this page here (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/apply-permanent-residence/police-certificates.html granted, it's for the Express Entry program) says that if you haven't returned to the country in question, then IRCC would still accept it.
Getting a new expedited certificate is at least 4 weeks and around 1,000 EUR, and it's not even a requirement..

I now sent a Case Specific Enquiry form asking them to reconsider due to the fact that Italy is neither my current country of residence, nor the longest I've lived in since the age of 18 (and the current and longest certificates were both provided and they were both issued just a month ago).

I would appreciate any thoughts on the following:
1) Has IRCC ever been known to reconsider in situations like this?
2) How long does it typically take for IRCC to respond? (and wuld they even care to respond, or am I just delaying my own process by not applying for an Italian certificate immediately? As you can imagine, I would really love to avoid spending a thousand euros on something potentially unnecessary).
3) Any other helpful thoughts would be very much appreciated..

1. Okay so I once saw from another platform a case where one was reconsidered. But this was only because the PC was requested at the end of the processing as in medicals and biometrics all done and also due 12months already. This person however involved the MP of his area and led to a reconsideration and received the Pre-Arrival Services.

In your case whereby things are still fresh it could be different. But I believe the staff are humans and with a statement or letter to explain how hard to attain the PC you could be reconsidered. The only mistake you made was not explaining it initially, but ofcos you had no idea. Normally they say when submitting forms that you either submit it or give an explanation why you cannot obtain it so you could send that statement.

2. Don't think there is an accurate answer, timelines are deceiving at times. Their responses normally bases on what enquiry or how important your message is. In your case they should respond roughly in 2 weeks maybe.

3. Cheers and good luck buddy

 

[Scarpetta]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! This definitely helps.
We did have to involve the MP on one occasion in the past, and it did work, so we'll see. Hopefully, it won't be the case of having to involve them again.
I do hope the IRCC are going to be reasonable. We did attach an explanation letter where we indicated that we have all certificates since the age of 18 for me, not just the required 2, so we'll attach them as additional supporting documents. Definitely would not have done that now, with the benefit of hindsight. No good deed goes unpunished.
Thanks again.

 

[Dimilitantey]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! This definitely helps.
We did have to involve the MP on one occasion in the past, and it did work, so we'll see. Hopefully, it won't be the case of having to involve them again.
I do hope the IRCC are going to be reasonable. We did attach an explanation letter where we indicated that we have all certificates since the age of 18 for me, not just the required 2, so we'll attach them as additional supporting documents. Definitely would not have done that now, with the benefit of hindsight. No good deed goes unpunished.
Thanks again.

All good and you welcome. Wish you the best. I know how frustrating at times with this process so hope it makes things easy and relaxes both you and your spouse.

 

[Scarpetta]

To whom it may, an update for police certificates in Italy when you're abroad:

There is a website where you can order the certificate online https://certificaticasellario.giustizia.it/web/guest/prenotacertificato (only in Italian).
The only trick is that you can only pick it up in person, or by sending someone with a power of attorney. So if you have a friend who can do the collection for you - you pay 23 euros for expedited 3 day service for each of the certificates (so 23 x 2). Please note that as indicated on IRCC's website, you will need both certificato casellario giudiziale and certificato dei carichi pendenti https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/police-certificates/how/italy.html

With the certified translation, the entire thing cost us less than 150 euros. Two Italian legal firms I contacted at first offered to do it for me for 4 weeks and nearly 1000 euros (!!). They are using the fact that the website of the prosecutor's office in Italy does not have an English version and does not come up when you first google police certificates, so you wouldn't even know this option exists, and that many people won't have anyone who could go and pick up the documents for them.