Reuse of Police certificate issued 2 years ago? Did not live there after that!

[samanta60]

Hi,

I am already working in Canada. For my current work permit application I obtained a Police Certificate from my home country (about 2 years ago).
Now I am applying under Express Entry and IEC Working Holiday.
My question is can I use the police certificate that I got 2 years ago from my home country for my new application?
I did not LIVE in my home country after the issue date of that police certificate, but visited my family for few weeks.

On CIC website I read:
For countries in which the applicant no longer lives, the police certificate must have been issued after the last time the client lived in that country.

According to this I think I don't need a new one because I didn't live there after the police certificate was issued (I visited though)? or is the document just too old to be used?

Did anyone have such an experience?
It would be a great help if you share your experience!

Thanks a lot.

 

[sushsmart15]

Since you visited your home country for a few weeks after this PCC was issued, it is best recommended that you apply and obtain a new PCC for your home country through your country's embassy in Canada.

 

[nshakelly]

I second that.

Even though you have visited your home country just for few weeks, you will need to get a PCC re-issued. There have been multiple cases of rejection reported in the past on the forum due to in-valid PCC.

I hope this helps.

 

[Alexios07]

I'm going for a short vacation trip next month. Like 10 days in Singapore, and 4 days in my country. Do I need to apply for both Singapore's and my country's PC again? I haven't been backed to my country for 5 years, but I do have a new PCC for it issued in April this year.

 

[samanta60]

The following is from CIC website:

Who needs a police certificate?
In general, you and all the people in your family who are 18 or older need to get a police certificate. You must get one from each country or territory where you have spent six or more months since the age of 18. For example:

if you visited, worked or lived in a country for two months, left for a few years, then returned for four months, that counts as spending six months there. In this case, you would need a certificate.
For the country you currently live in, the police certificate must be issued no more than six months before you apply.

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.

If your certificate is in a language other than English or French, send it when you apply, along with the original copy of a translation done by a certified translator.


It can be understood like: You do not need a new police certificate if you have one which was issued after the last time you lived there and before the last time you visited the country.
But I have heard from people that, to be on the safe side, you would rather get a new police certificate issued after your last visit.

 

[nshakelly]

The following is from CIC website:

Who needs a police certificate?
In general, you and all the people in your family who are 18 or older need to get a police certificate. You must get one from each country or territory where you have spent six or more months since the age of 18. For example:

if you visited, worked or lived in a country for two months, left for a few years, then returned for four months, that counts as spending six months there. In this case, you would need a certificate.
For the country you currently live in, the police certificate must be issued no more than six months before you apply.

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.

If your certificate is in a language other than English or French, send it when you apply, along with the original copy of a translation done by a certified translator.


It can be understood like: You do not need a new police certificate if you have one which was issued after the last time you lived there and before the last time you visited the country.
But I have heard from people that, to be on the safe side, you would rather get a new police certificate issued after your last visit.

To be more clear..

IF you have already submitted your documents for EE and then you are planning to travel. You will NOT require a new PCC

However, if you have not submitted your documents for EE and have planning to travel to your home or any other country. Your PCC issued prior to this travel will not be valid.

As such, travel after submission EE documents will not require you to have a new PCC issued.

 

[RanaHamdi]

Since you visited your home country for a few weeks after this PCC was issued, it is best recommended that you apply and obtain a new PCC for your home country through your country's embassy in Canada.

Hello,
I have the same situation. I came here 2 years ago and issued a new police certificate around 8 months ago. I haven't left the country since I came. is it acceptable by CIC for sure ? or i need to at least request a new one and submit the old one as well? thank you for your help

 

[RanaHamdi]

Safest policy for your home country (or any country you've been a resident of) is yes. Technically the CIC rules say "must have been issued after you last lived there", so technically you wouldn't need one if you just visit. Having said that, I wouldn't rely on this subtle difference - if you have to argue this point with CIC, you're in for potential delays or even a rejection.

For Singapore, you only need one if you have spent more than 6 months there cumulatively.

Hello,
I have the same situation. I came here 2 years ago and issued a new police certificate around 8 months ago. I haven't left the country since I came. is it acceptable by CIC for sure ? or i need to at least request a new one and submit the old one as well? thank you for your help