Police Certificate Canada (CIC) Needs for Immigration

Many Canadian immigration programs require a police clearance certificate (or police certificate). This is a simple statement by the police that you don’t have a criminal record or if you have a prior and pending criminal charges.

Police certificates are very important if you are trying to become a permanent resident. The police certificate Canada immigration authorities demand must:

• Contain all relevant information (name, date of birth and more)
• Be issued by the appropriate authority in your country
• Be written in English or French (or be accompanied by a valid translation)
• Not have a disclaimer stating that the authority does not take responsibility for the information in the certificate

On the basis of the police clearance certificate for Canada, CIC will decide if you should be allowed into the country.

Learn all about the police clearance certificate for Canada below.

What is a police clearance certificate?

A police clearance certificate is a document that outlines criminal activity. For purposes of immigration, the police verification certificate proves that you have not been involved in any criminal activity. If you do have a criminal record, CIC will assess your admissibility on the basis of this certificate.

Canadian immigration officials rely on this police certification to make sure you are not a security risk. If they feel that your past criminal activity poses a danger to Canadian society, your application may be denied.

A police clearance certificate must be in English or French. If the police certification you receive is in another language, you must also provide an official/certified translation of the document and an affidavit with your application.

An affidavit for a translation is a document that says the translation is a true and accurate version of the original text.

What Canada immigration programs need a police clearance certificate?

Generally, most immigration programs require a police clearance certificate for Canada. Immigration suggests someone who is planning to come to a country permanently or for a long period of time. That’s why Provincial Nominee Programs, Express Entry and spousal sponsorship require police certificates.

Short stay visas don’t, typically, require police certificates. For example, the Visitor visa (tourist visa), which may be valid for up to 10 years, does not require a police clearance certificate be submitted with applications.

When is a police clearance certificate for Canada PR required?

CIC can require you and any family members (aged 18 years old and over) for a police clearance certificate. If you are applying for permanent residence, then you will most likely have to submit it. Here is a short list of PR programs that require police certification:

• Express Entry
• International Experience Candidate
• Provincial Nomine Programs
• Other immigration and citizenship programs

Which countries do you need a police certificate for?

It does not matter which country you are a citizen of; if your Canada immigration program requires it, you must provide a police certificate Canada accepts. CIC states that police certificates must be provided for all countries in which you have lived for six months or more, after you turned 18.

• Not required up to 18 years – You don’t need police clearance certificates for countries you lived in till you turned 18.
• Six month residence, but not always in country – If you have lived in a country for six months but travelled for a month outside the country during that time, it is best to get a police clearance certificate.
• Lived in a country for 5-6 months – If you lived in a country for just under 6 months, it is best to get a police clearance certificate, to be on the safe side.
• Did not live in the country six months in a row – If you have lived in a country for a total of six months, but not six months consecutively (in a row), you do not require police certification from that country.
• Time in Canada – You don’t need to show a police certificate for the time you have spent in Canada.

Where do I get the police certificate in my country?

The process for getting a police certificate varies from country to country. Many countries have updated their processes for obtaining police certificates in the last few years. It is best to get in touch with your police or government to find out what the process is for getting the certificate.

Police clearance certificates may be known by different names in different countries. They may be called:

• Police clearance certificates
• Judicial record extracts
• Good conduct certificates
• Or any other name

Note: Some countries offer more than one way of getting a police certificate. It is possible that certificates obtained in one or more such ways may not be acceptable to Canadian immigration officials.

Make sure you find out if the police certificate you are getting is accepted by CIC. Police certificates today will typically require you to provide photographs, your fingerprints, addresses in the country and more.

When should you get the police clearance certificate?

Depending on your immigration program, you may choose to obtain your police verification certificate before you begin or submit your application. Police certificates are, generally, valid for one year from their date of issue.

However, for Canada immigration, the police certificate must have been issued at most 6 months before you submitted your application.

What this is means is if your certificate is 8 months old when you submit your Canadian immigration application, it will not be considered.

For countries in which you no longer live, the police verification certificate must have been issued after you left that country for the last time.

Is your police certificate getting delayed?

IRCC allows extensions to deadlines for submitting police clearance certificates if it’s taking more than 90 days to process your police verification.

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What happens if I don’t submit my police certificate for Express Entry?

If you don’t submit the police certificate Canada requires at the time of filing your Express Entry application, you may be granted additional time to file the certificate. However, there is a high chance your application will be rejected.

Here are a few things you should consider:

• If you are unclear about whether the certificate is required, then consider sending it anyway.
• If you are uncertain if the certificate is required, and you don’t send it, it is best to explain it very clearly in the Letter of Explanation.
• If you have explained yourself and you have valid reasons for thinking it was unclear, CIC may ask you to submit it at a later date.

Why might a police verification certificate be rejected by CIC?

A police clearance certificate may be rejected by the CIC for a number of reasons:

• Being out of the validity period (i.e. more than 6 months old, at the time of submitting the immigration application).
• Mismatch in information on the certificate and that provided in the application (eg. spelling of your name or passport number).
• The police certificate does not meet the criteria laid down by CIC.
• The certificate does not cover you for the full period of your stay in the country.

Don’t forget, if you have a prior criminal record, CIC may reject your application if it considers you pose a security threat to the country.

Is getting a police certificate difficult?

How difficult it is for you to get a police clearance certificate varies from country to country. Make sure you go through the most appropriate and official process for getting the certificate, else it may be rejected by the CIC – and your time, effort and money will go waste!

What should my police certificate say?

Police verification certificates around the world are different. However, there is certain information that must be included in your certificate:

1. Logo of the authority
2. Date of issue
3. Clear subject line that shows it is a police clearance certificate, judicial record extract, good conduct certificate, or similar
4. Statement attesting lack of criminal record or list of offences
5. Seal/sign of the official authority

If the police clearance certificate contains a disclaimer stating that the authority is not responsible for the accuracy of the information, CIC may reject the certificate.

Do I need a police certificate for PR?

Yes, most permanent residence (PR) programs, such as Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, require police certificates be submitted.

How long is the police verification valid for?

A police clearance certificate or equivalent is usually valid for one year. For the country in which you are presently resident, the certificate must not be more than 6 months old at the time of submission of the application.

How Express Entry Works

Candidates who are eligible for a program under Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Skilled Trades, or other) submit a profile into the pool. The profile is assigned a CRS score, which is based on their age, education, qualifications and other criteria. CIC regularly invites candidates with the highest scores to apply for permanent residence. Once that is complete, the application is typically processed within six months.

Police clearance certificate for Canada immigration from India

The police clearance certificate for Canada immigration from India is a must. Whether you are applying under Express Entry, for spousal or family sponsorship, or PNPs for permanent residence, it is essential that you submit the police certificate with your application.

Where to get the police certificate in India

The Indian Government streamlined the process for procuring the police clearance certificate for immigration to Canada only a few years ago. The certificate for Canada immigration from India can be procured in two different ways:

1. Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) – An appointment must be taken before you visit your nearest PSK; fingerprints will be taken; certificates are issued in a standardized format (in English) and are accepted by CIC.
2. Police superintendent – The police certificate for Canada immigration can be obtained directly by making an application to the local police in-charge; certificates will be in the local language and will need to be translated; since these are not standardized, CIC may not accept this type of police clearance.

Don’t know how to get a police certificate in your country?

The CIC does not provide specific guidance about how to get the police certificate in individual countries. If you are unsure of how and when to get the police clearance certificate, speak to an experienced Toronto Express Entry lawyer. Our specialists have expert knowledge about jurisdictions around the world and will help you with your police certificate and immigration application thoroughly.

It is essential that you apply for the certificate at the right time, with the right authority and that the certificate contains the correct information.

Need to give a language test for your immigration application? Learn more about CELIP and IELTS.

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Latest CRS Score August 2019 and What CRS Cut Off to Expect in September

Great Opportunity to Explore Canada: Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Ready to Start

Canada sends invites to thousands of immigrants every year. However, the vast majority of people choose to settle in large cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. There is not a lot of movement to sparsely populated parts of Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has seen that though there are plentiful jobs in these areas, skilled workers are simply not migrating there. To change that it has launched the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

About the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

IRCC will be working closely with the communities it identifies to find the right candidates. It wants these communities to become welcoming places to live and work for immigrants who choose to come.

The IRCC recognizes that the communities it will identify will have little experience in modern immigration. People who come to Canada today expect to be able to find jobs, find adequate housing and settle into a high standard of life. That’s why the government will be working directly with local agencies to ensure immigrants are happy and provided for. This means working with:

• Community-based partners
• Federal and provincial governments
• Trade and employment bodies

Speak to an immigration lawyer in Toronto Canada to find out what you need to start your application. Stay tuned as we post more Canada immigration latest news.

What communities have been identified for the pilot

At the time of writing, 11 communities in 5 provinces have been listed. These are:

Alberta – Claresholm

British Columbia – Vernon, West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson)

Manitoba – Brandon, Altona/Rhineland

Ontario – North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timmins

Saskatchewan – Moose Jaw

The communities identified have a high quality of life. Each is a prosperous economic centre, with a low population. For those looking to experience true Canadian life and surroundings, these are great cities to settle in. In fact, these communities are located near major cities and will be well connected to important amenities and transportation.

Benefits of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

• You and your family will come to Canada as permanent residents
• Candidates will have jobs/strong community support to find jobs
• Small communities that will welcome you and take care of you
• Possibly shorter application process compared to Express Entry
• Candidates with lower CRS score may benefit if they are well-suited to communities’ economic needs and job vacancies

Application process for permanent residence

The application process for PR here is different to Express Entry. The application process involves:

1. Candidate approaching one of the listed communities or an employer in the community
2. Submitting an endorsement application to be assessed by the community
3. Candidates that are ‘best fit’ will be endorsed and can apply for their PR
4. CIC will assess the PR application against Federal Selection Criteria and Admissibility requirements
5. Once approved, candidates and their families will be welcomed to settle in the community

The application process requires an understanding of what Canadian employers are looking for. Make sure you get an experienced immigration lawyer in Toronto Canada to file your application. We know how to make your application stand out from the crowd.

How soon can you come to Canada as a permanent resident

IRCC expects that immigration candidates under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot will begin to receive PR invitations before the end of 2019. It expects people will start settling in Canada under this program by the summer of 2020. Check our website regularly for Canada immigration latest news. Or speak to our immigration lawyer in Toronto Canada and let us take care of that for you.

Apply immediately

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is fresh and there will be few applicants right now. The sooner you can apply to communities, the sooner you can come to Canada. Once local communities are inundated with applications, processing times will slow down again.

 

Make sure you speak to our immigration lawyer in Toronto Canada before you start your application. At the Immigration Law Office of Ronen Kurzfeld we are experienced immigration professionals who know how to file perfect applications. Especially since you need to show your suitability to the local community, we will ensure you are seen as a very promising candidate. Subscribe to our blog to keep abreast of Canada immigration latest news.

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Sponsoring your family to Canada in [2019]

Post updated on July 2019.

If you are a Canadian person or a permanent citizen of Canada, age 18 or over, you could sponsor certain member of the family to become Canadian long-term citizens. If you end up being a permanent citizen, you can live, research as well as work in Canada. If you sponsor your relative to become a permanent resident, you are responsible for sustaining your relative monetarily when she or he arrives. Always consult Immigration way lawyer Toronto before applying for sponsorship immigration in Canada. To be a sponsor:

You have to be 18 years old or older.

• You and also the funded family member must authorize a sponsorship agreement that devotes you to provide financial support for your family member, if required. This agreement also states the individual coming to be a permanent resident will strive to support her or himself.
• You must offer financial backing for a spouse, common-law or conjugal companion for 3 years from the date they become a long-term resident.
• You must provide financial backing for a dependent child for Ten Years, or until the child becomes 25, whichever precedes.

You can sponsor:

• Spouse – (constraints apply)
• Common Law companion – (constraints apply)
• Conjugal companion – (constraints apply)
• Reliant children
• parents – (Extra conditions apply)
• grandparents – (Additional conditions apply)
• brothers or sis, nephews or nieces, granddaughters or grandsons that are orphaned, under 18 years old as well as not married or in a common-law relationship
• One more relative of any age or connection yet just under specific conditions
• Accompanying relatives of the above (as an example, partner, companion and also reliant youngsters

Spouse – You are a spouse if you are married to your sponsor and your marriage is lawfully valid.

Common-law companion – You are a common-law partner, either of the opposite sex or exact same sex, if: you have actually been cohabiting in a conjugal partnership for at least one year in a constant 12-month duration that was not cut off. You will need evidence that you as well as your common-law companion have integrated your events and also set up a household.

Conjugal companion – This category is for partners, either of the other sex or same sex, in remarkable circumstances past their control that avoid them from cohabiting as a result cannot qualifying as common-law partners or spouses.

Dependent youngsters – A son or daughter is dependent when the child

• is under the age of 19 and also does not have a spouse or common-law companion
• more than the age of 19 and depended substantially on the financial support of a parent because before the age of 19 as a result of a physical or psychological condition

Check here for more info or book an appointment to consult with our lawyer.

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What is a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), likewise referred to as Verification, is an application conducted by Service Canada (a division of Work as well as Social Growth Canada). This organization operates in conjunction with Citizenship as well as Migration Canada to guarantee that the employment of international employees has an overall neutral or beneficial effect to the Canadian labour market.

The LMIA procedure is planned to make certain that the employment of an international employee does not have any negative labour market influence in Canada. This typically requires that the Canadian employer has actually made a sufficient initiative to employ a Canadian for the placement of work, that the employment of an international worker or else directly creates or maintains Canadian employment, and/or that it results in transfer of abilities and knowledge to Canadians. Service Canada must also be pleased that the wages and also conditions provided are consistent with those of the Canadian labour market and that the work of the international employee does not negatively affect the negotiation of a work dispute in Canada. Consult with immigration way if you are not sure about the entire procedure.

Depending upon the nature of the position and the area of the work offer, there might exist shortages, which can facilitate authorization of specific job deals. The duration of the LMIA procedure relies on a variety of variables, consisting of the particular place at which the offer is being made, and the conditions of the case itself. There are a number of Service Canada offices throughout Canada, and the location will certainly affect handling delays. Usually, delays for such instances are presently 8 to 12 weeks, although some cases can be wrapped up faster.

Extra delays can be incurred in the event that the Canadian employer is not capable of sufficiently demonstrating that a significant effort to employ a Canadian has taken place. In such a situation, it may be essential to spend time interesting in a certified recruiting effort prior to having the ability to initiate the application.

You don’t need a LIMA for all job offers. Common instances of such exemptions include global treaties such as NAFTA or GATS, and positions which supply a Significant Benefit to Canada or else consistent with Canadian Interests. There are no occupation defined that are especially omitted from getting IMA. Nonetheless, the degree of skill needed for an occupation could impact the demands for an application and/or the likelihood of its success.

If you are uncertain about your job and require a LIMA, consult our immigration lawyer first before taking any steps.

 

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CELPIP vs IELTS: Which is Better for Canada Visa?

For you to be able to come to Canada, most Canada immigration visas require proof of English or French language skills. In this article we are going to look at CELPIP and IELTS – the only two English tests that are accepted by Canada Immigration and Citizenship.Not long ago IELTS used to be the only option you had for an English language test. But CELPIP has now become available in many countries other than Canada, such as India, the Philippines, America and the UAE. No wonder so many immigration applicants are asking, ‘CELPIP vs IELTS, which is easier?’

Virtually every category of immigrant (worker, businessman, spouse or family) and international student in Canada is required to give a language test. CIC wants to know how fluent you are in English (or French).

No, you don’t have to be bilingual. You only need to show language proficiency for one of the languages. Most parts of Canada speak English – and that’s why English tests are the most popular ones.

Importance of CELPIP and IELTS

Your English test is crucial for your application, whether you are applying through Express Entry or as a student. The higher your score, the more points you get for your visa application. That’s why you must choose the right test to give.

As an example, here is how points are allotted in Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) for IELTS scores.

CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points per ability
10+	7.5 – 9.0	8.5 – 9.0	8.0 – 9.0	7.5 – 9.0	6
9	7.0	8.0	7.0	7.0	6
8	6.5	7.5	6.5	6.5	5
7	6.0	6.0 – 7.0	6.0	6.0	4

Note that the maximum number of CRS points you can get on the basis of your IELTS test is 24. These are points that you can guarantee if you score the maximum marks in your English test.

Therefore, perform your test well and you can improve your application’s chances. And that’s why answering the CELPIP vs IELTS question is so important. CELPIP and IELTS are administered quite differently and emphasize different language skills. Depending on what your strengths and weaknesses are, you should select the correct one.

What is IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. IELTS has been one of the most popular English language tests around the world. Many countries use IELTS for their immigration requirements, including Canada; hundreds of thousands of people sit for IELTS every year.

There are two types of IELTS tests: General Training and Academic. For Canada immigration, you have to take IELTS General Training. CIC does not accept Academic scores for immigration. Normally, it is students who take the IELTS Academic test.

IELTS General Training is designed to test how well you are able to communicate in English. It uses a nine point scale to identify levels of proficiency. It has four tests for:

• Reading
• Listening
• Writing
• Speaking

The test is paper-based and conducted over two sittings. The reading, listening and writing sections are completed in one session lasting 2 hours 30 minutes.

The speaking test has to be taken on a different date. It lasts between 11-14 minutes. In it you must converse with a human examiner, speak about a particular topic and then answer questions on what you have said.

 

What is CELPIP?

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, or CELPIP, is a newer test than IELTS. It is made in Canada for immigrants and international students. CELPIP is accepted by the Canadian and provincial governments, universities, colleges and employers in Canada. CIC accepts CELPIP for Canada immigration in:

• Permanent residence
• Canadian citizenship
• Express Entry
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Start-up visas
• Most Provincial Nominee Programs

Like IELTS, there are two versions of CELPIP – General Test and General LS Test. For Canada immigration CELPIP General Test is the one to take. The General LS Test only covers Listening and Speaking and will not be accepted.

The CELPIP test format is also like that of IELTS. There are four sections: listening, reading, writing and speaking. However, unlike IELTS, all of these are completed in around 3 hours on one day itself.

What is the CELPIP passing score?

CELPIP scoring gives you up to 12 points for each section. And CELPIP scoring is aligned to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). This means each CELPIP level is equal to the CLB level, unlike IELTS.

Continuing with the same example of Express Entry through the Federal Skilled Worker program, this is how CELPIP scoring will give you CRS points.

CLB Level (=CELPIP Level)	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	Points per ability
10+	10+	10+	10+	10+	6
9	9	9	9	9	6
8	8	8	8	8	5
7	7	7	7	7	4

The CELPIP passing score depends on the requirements of your Canada immigration application. For example, a minimum of 7 points in each category would be the CELPIP ‘passing score’ for Express Entry. Again, the maximum score you can get for your language is 24 points.

The CELPIP vs IELTS score explained, you can see there is not much difference between them for your visa application. What it comes down to is if the CELPIP test format is something you will be better at.

How is CELPIP better than IELTS?

Just because CELPIP is a Canadian test does not mean CELPIP scoring will be more beneficial for your application. But there are advantages to the CELPIP test format if:

• You are giving the English language test for Canada immigration only; or
• You have spent any time in Canada, as a worker, student or visitor.

CELPIP tests your English according to the English language used in Canada. This is a mix of American and British English. It is possible that employers will be more satisfied with CELPIP than IELTS because it is a better test of how they speak in Canada.

Moreover, if you have spent time in Canada, you will already understand how people here converse and write. It will make more sense to give a Canada-focused test in that case.

The CELPIP test format has a number of other advantages over IELTS:

• The CELPIP test format is more modern because it is taken completely on a computer.
• You will receive CELPIP results in 8 days, compared to 13 days for IELTS.
• If you pay extra for ‘Express Rating’, you can get your results in 3 days!
• The entire test is completed in one sitting (people with jobs and those who have to travel long distances only have to come to the test centre once).
• You don’t need to take additional interview dates.
• CELPIP fee is less than that of IELTS (at the time of writing).

Is CELPIP harder than IELTS?

There is no indication that CELPIP scoring or the CELPIP test is any harder than IELTS. In fact, it is commonly said they are both very similar in difficulty. The difference lies in the CELPIP vs IELTS test formats.

CELPIP tests Canadian English, however accepts both British and American spellings. This gives the test-taker a big advantage.

CELPIP is said to have a slightly longer listening and speaking section than IELTS. Therefore, the writing section is smaller. This is of big help for those who are not comfortable in their writing (something even native English speakers can struggle with).

Is IELTS harder than CELPIP?

Again, in the quest for maximum CELPIP vs IELTS score, you have to ask if IELTS is harder than CELPIP, even if it is the more popular option. Again, there is no indication that IELTS as a test is any harder than CELPIP. However, the differences in how the test is conducted can affect your score.

The IELTS test is performed on paper and many people are more comfortable with that. This may be the case especially if you are not proficient at using computers.

Some people also prefer the test being split over two days. It gives you a break between the sections and a chance to relax and prepare. Also, people who think they may struggle with the speaking and listening parts of the test may prefer IELTS over CELPIP.

What is a good IELTS score?

That’s a simple answer. The higher your score the better it is. Like CELPIP scoring, the Canada immigration program you are applying through will determine what is a good IELTS score. Read our tips to find out how you can maximize your IELTS score. Also, like the ‘CELPIP passing score’, the minimum IELTS score you want to achieve will depend on your immigration program or student visa.

CELPIP vs IELTS – Both great choices for candidates

The CELPIP vs IELTS score debate is one that is about to become much bigger. The CELPIP test format has become extremely popular in the last few years. There are test centres easily accessible across Canada, of course. But now their presence has grown to major Canada immigration countries too.

To choose between CELPIP vs IELTS, start by giving sample tests. You will understand how both tests are conducted and which you are more comfortable with. Regardless of which you choose nothing will beat good preparation. You know what they say, ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail!’ So study hard to get the highest marks in whichever test you give.

If you are looking to apply for Canada immigration get in touch with the Immigration Law Office of Ronen Kurzfeld. We will maximize your application’s chances of getting the stamp of approval.

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June 2019 CRS Cut Off Update and Express Entry Trends For July