What is a Police Certificate?

A Police Certificate (also called Police Clearance Certificate, Penal Clearance Certificate, or Police Verification) is an official document from a country's police or judicial authority confirming that the applicant has no criminal record in that country (or listing convictions if any exist).

When police certificates are required

For permanent residence applications:

• A police certificate is required from every country where the applicant has lived for 6+ months continuously since age 18

For temporary residence:

• Required only in specific circumstances (typically for stays over 6 months, or for certain visa offices with country-specific risk profiles)

How to obtain police certificates by country

Pakistan

• District Police Office in your home district issues for most applicants
• Special Branch (Karachi / Lahore) for residents of those cities
• Apostille / attestation requirements vary

India

• Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) for current Indian passport holders
• District Police Office for those without current passport
• Must include applicant's name, photograph, and verified address history

UAE

• Dubai Police app (online or in-person at Al Twar) for Dubai residents
• Abu Dhabi Police for Abu Dhabi residents
• Validity: 3 months from issuance

Philippines

• NBI Clearance (National Bureau of Investigation) is the standard certificate
• Available online via the NBI portal or in-person

China

• Notarized No Criminal Record Certificate issued by the Public Security Bureau
• Requires notarization + apostille / authentication

Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Police Clearance issued by the Ministry of Interior
• Often requires sponsor coordination

Document requirements

Standard requirements for each police certificate:

• Original issued by the relevant police authority
• Certified English or French translation by an accredited translator (if not in English/French)
• Apostille or authentication where the country is a Hague Apostille Convention signatory
• Issued recently — most IRCC visa offices want certificates issued within 6 months of submission

Validity period

Police certificates have a limited validity window. Some IRCC offices accept certificates up to 1 year old; others require within 6 months. Plan timing carefully — order police certificates after the application is otherwise ready to submit.

What to do if you have a record

If you have any prior conviction in any country, disclose it truthfully. Concealment becomes misrepresentation under IRPA s.40 with a 5-year ban. Depending on the offence and timing:

• Deemed or individual rehabilitation under IRPA s.36 may resolve the inadmissibility
• A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) may allow entry while you await rehabilitation
• Halani assesses case-by-case