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Police Certificate 3 month rule. Is it when posted or received by CIC?

Dec 23, 2014
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Hello,

I'm in a slight pickle that hopefully someone can help answer.

My Common Law outland app is all ready to go but my police certificate from the UK will be 3 months old on the 26th. The application took longer than expected. I would rather not wait another month for a new one as I don't want my medical that cost me $650 (I live in a remote town in North Alberta with only one DR from the panel list so they can charge that silly amount) to age. Just incase my application takes a while to be processed.

With holiday post I have been told that it will not get to Mississauga until closer to the new year. Apparently Canada post and most couriers take the 24th-29th off.

SO my question is when the guide says 'The certificate must have been issued no more than three (3) months prior to submitting your application' what do they mean by Submitting? Do they go by the post mark or when they actually receive the package? I'm wondering if I could post it today so that it has a December 23rd Post mark and just include a letter stating that I am aware that it may not get to them until closer to new years due to Holiday Post.

I could also say that I am happy to order a new one if requested. I'm just worried incase they send the whole thing back rather than just requesting a new certificate.
 

rhcohen2014

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it's when CIC RECEIVES it, not when it was post marked. i would recommend still sending it, and getting a back up in case it's asked. you might luck out and they could very well accept the police record. as for the medicals, they have the ability to extend them, so i wouldn't worry too much about that upfront. just send in the application with what you have, and get a back up police record just in case. CIC is turning their head the other way when valid medicals and police records are not submitted up front. IF they want a new police record, they will most likely request it in the sponsor eligibility letter.
 

Ponga

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CIC must RECEIVE it within 90 days of when it was ISSUED. The postmark is irrelevant, so you should send it express post (or similar) with delivery confirmation of some sort.
 
Dec 23, 2014
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Ponga said:
CIC must RECEIVE it within 90 days of when it was ISSUED. The postmark is irrelevant, so you should send it express post (or similar) with delivery confirmation of some sort.
I was told by Canada Post that even if I sent it Priority Mail today that It would not get there until closer to the new year due to Canada post taking the holidays off
 

Ponga

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PurpleJellyBean said:
I was told by Canada Post that even if I sent it Priority Mail today that It would not get there until closer to the new year due to Canada post taking the holidays off
Then you should use a courier that DOES work during the holidays. There are certainly plenty to choose from!

You can find the courier address for CIC on their website.
 

sammystorm19

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PurpleJellyBean said:
I was told by Canada Post that even if I sent it Priority Mail today that It would not get there until closer to the new year due to Canada post taking the holidays off
I would do overnight mail today to Mississauga and pay the little extra.
 

chipolopolo

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PurpleJellyBean said:
Hello,

I'm in a slight pickle that hopefully someone can help answer.

My Common Law outland app is all ready to go but my police certificate from the UK will be 3 months old on the 26th. The application took longer than expected. I would rather not wait another month for a new one as I don't want my medical that cost me $650 (I live in a remote town in North Alberta with only one DR from the panel list so they can charge that silly amount) to age. Just incase my application takes a while to be processed.

With holiday post I have been told that it will not get to Mississauga until closer to the new year. Apparently Canada post and most couriers take the 24th-29th off.

SO my question is when the guide says 'The certificate must have been issued no more than three (3) months prior to submitting your application' what do they mean by Submitting? Do they go by the post mark or when they actually receive the package? I'm wondering if I could post it today so that it has a December 23rd Post mark and just include a letter stating that I am aware that it may not get to them until closer to new years due to Holiday Post.

I could also say that I am happy to order a new one if requested. I'm just worried incase they send the whole thing back rather than just requesting a new certificate.

application can not be rejected based on expired PCC. Worst case scenario is they will request an updated one. My FBI clearance was a week over 90 days when i sent it in, and my other PCC from africa was almost a month over the 90 days, but both were accepted by CIC, and they never even asked me for updated ones. Dont bother saying you can request a new one. They will let you know if they want one. Important thing is they wont reject it
 

screech339

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chipolopolo said:
application can not be rejected based on expired PCC. Worst case scenario is they will request an updated one. My FBI clearance was a week over 90 days when i sent it in, and my other PCC from africa was almost a month over the 90 days, but both were accepted by CIC, and they never even asked me for updated ones. Dont bother saying you can request a new one. They will let you know if they want one. Important thing is they wont reject it
If the OP was sending the PR application inland, then it is not a big issue. However application sent outland can still be rejected due to incomplete application with expired police report or absence police report. Not always rejected but not always accepted either. The OP still runs the risk of application being returned if sent outland.

Screech339
 
Dec 23, 2014
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when you say rejected... do you mean the whole thing could be rejected and I can't re send it?! or do you just mean they will send it back asking for a new one?
 

chipolopolo

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PurpleJellyBean said:
when you say rejected... do you mean the whole thing could be rejected and I can't re send it?! or do you just mean they will send it back asking for a new one?
i meant they will it send it back because of expired PCC. At Stage one they are mostly concerned with sponsor part. The office processing your second stage will check application for completeness. Its at that stage that a new PCC, or any other documents will be requested if needed. THEY WONT SEND IT BACK BECAUSE YOU HAVE OLD PCC. THEY WILL JUST ASK YOU FOR UPDATED ONE