Do I need to provide a Police Certificate?

[Ctvas]

Hi everybody.
My case is that I have done a soft landing to become PR in May 2018, but after a week in Canada, I went back to my country of origin to sort it out everything before move permanently to Canada which I did in July 2019.
Now, that I am applying for citizenship, I am wondering if I still need to provide a police certificate of my country of origin based on the fact that I have came back to there for more than 183 days after I have landed and became PR?
Please, anybody can clarify if the following note apply in my situation: "If you were in your country or territory of origin immediately prior to becoming a permanent resident and landing in Canada and this time falls within this four (4) year period, you are not required to provide a police certificate. Please indicate this in the explanation box."
Thanks in advance.

 

[eiden03]

Yes, you would need to provide a Police Certificate. The exemption you noted only accounts for the time before landing and becoming PR. Since you spent more than 183 days in your country of origin AFTER landing and becoming PR, a police certificate is required

 

[Ctvas]

Hi Eiden. Thank you for your response. I have difficulty to get a police certificate from my country of origin. So, I am wondering if I wait until July 2023 to submit my application for citizenship then I do not have to provide a PCC then, because during the four (4) years immediately before the date of my application, I will not have spent 183 days or more in a row (since the age of 18) in a country (other than Canada). Actually, I would have been in Canada during the four years. Am I correct?
Just thinking when should I apply?

 

[forw.jane]

Hi Eiden. Thank you for your response. I have difficulty to get a police certificate from my country of origin. So, I am wondering if I wait until July 2023 to submit my application for citizenship then I do not have to provide a PCC then, because during the four (4) years immediately before the date of my application, I will not have spent 183 days or more in a row (since the age of 18) in a country (other than Canada). Actually, I would have been in Canada during the four years. Am I correct?
Just thinking when should I apply?

That's right but if you can get PCC, 7 months of processing would happen by the time you eligible to apply without PCC. That's the part you have to decide.

 

[eiden03]

Hi Eiden. Thank you for your response. I have difficulty to get a police certificate from my country of origin. So, I am wondering if I wait until July 2023 to submit my application for citizenship then I do not have to provide a PCC then, because during the four (4) years immediately before the date of my application, I will not have spent 183 days or more in a row (since the age of 18) in a country (other than Canada). Actually, I would have been in Canada during the four years. Am I correct?
Just thinking when should I apply?

That's right. Technically you don't even have to wait Until July 2023. If you were to apply in March for example, you would only have spent around 4-5 months in your country of origin in the last 4 years.

Though maybe if it's too close to the 6 months mark, IIRC might ask you for one further down the line anyways. Up to you to decide if you want to apply closer to July.

 

[Ctvas]

That's right but if you can get PCC, 7 months of processing would happen by the time you eligible to apply without PCC. That's the part you have to decide.

Thank for replying Jane. I really want to apply earlier but I have no option but come back to my country of origin to get the PCC, and this is a no choice for me now

 

[Ctvas]

That's right. Technically you don't even have to wait Until July 2023. If you were to apply in March for example, you would only have spent around 4-5 months in your country of origin in the last 4 years.

Though maybe if it's too close to the 6 months mark, IIRC might ask you for one further down the line anyways. Up to you to decide if you want to apply closer to July.

Another question: if I submit the application earlier than July 2023, let's say March and I get the AOR. Can I assume that IIRC won't ask for PCC later because one I get the AOR means that my application is complete? Or am I wrong?

 

[eiden03]

Another question: if I submit the application earlier than July 2023, let's say March and I get the AOR. Can I assume that IIRC won't ask for PCC later because one I get the AOR means that my application is complete? Or am I wrong?

If you apply in March as an example, you won't be required to provide the PC and your application should be marked complete (assuming everything else is correct) and it should be processed normally. Nevertheless, we can never say for certain that IRCC will never ask for it after AOR. In theory it would not be required/necessary and they probably will not ask for it. But if they do request it as an additional document/verification, you would have no choice but to obtain it.

 

[Ctvas]

If you apply in March as an example, you won't be required to provide the PC and your application should be marked complete (assuming everything else is correct) and it should be processed normally. Nevertheless, we can never say for certain that IRCC will never ask for it after AOR. In theory it would not be required/necessary and they probably will not ask for it. But if they do request it as an additional document/verification, you would have no choice but to obtain it.

So, could I assume that the same situation would be possible if I apply in July 2023? Thank you for replying all my questions.

 

[eiden03]

So, could I assume that the same situation would be possible if I apply in July 2023? Thank you for replying all my questions.

That's right, it would be possible as well even if you apply in July. Impossible to predict if IRCC is going to request an additional document. I'd just apply once the time in your country of origin in the last 4 years is under 6 months (around 5ish to be safer).