Expired Police Clearance

[eternalrock]

Hey everyone,

Just a quick question. My wife got her criminal record check from Japan last November (she lived there in 2008). The person at the Japanese consulate told her it would expire in 3 months. However, we had to wait over 10 months for her US criminal check (long story) and just received it last month.

We would like to submit our PR application next week. I remember reading that expired police clearance is OK as long as it's within the year. For the record, my wife has not travelled to Japan since 2008. However, I really don't want to submit our application next week if the expired police check is going to delay our application.

Do you think it's worthwhile to get another record check from Japan? They took about 6 weeks last time to process it.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Jason

 

[rugrat907]

Hey everyone,

Just a quick question. My wife got her criminal record check from Japan last November (she lived there in 2008). The person at the Japanese consulate told her it would expire in 3 months. However, we had to wait over 10 months for her US criminal check (long story) and just received it last month.

We would like to submit our PR application next week. I remember reading that expired police clearance is OK as long as it's within the year. For the record, my wife has not travelled to Japan since 2008. However, I really don't want to submit our application next week if the expired police check is going to delay our application.

Do you think it's worthwhile to get another record check from Japan? They took about 6 weeks last time to process it.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

Jason

Because the FBI checks have been taking so long, a lot of U.S. applicants have been sending in applications without the FBI check, then sending it when requested. I would do the same in your case - send everything in when ready with the expired Japanese police check and the current FBI one, with a note explaining you have requested a new check from Japan...and submit that record check request to Japan as soon as you can.

By the time CIC actually receives the application and you get Sponsor approval, you should have the new check from Japan and can send it right away when they request it...if they request it. It really shouldn't delay anything too much (and almost definitely less than the 6 weeks you'll be waiting for the new check from Japan) and you'll have the process rolling. Sounds like your wife is a U.S. citizen, so who knows...they might not even need the new clearance from Japan if she hasn't lived there since 2008.

 

[Ponga]

CIC has changed the rules for when a PCC expires.

Check their website for details.

 

[eternalrock]

I think we're going to just send it through, and as rugrat907 recommended, order another from Japan just in case. It's free with Japan and an easy way to cover our bases...

Also, thanks for the tip Ponga! I read this on the website... looks like it was updated a few months ago:

For countries where you have lived for six months or more, the police certificate must be issued after the last time you lived in that country. so we should be in the clear

Thanks everyone!