OpenVisaI can't get a police certificate from a country I lived in. What do I send instead?
Every refusal, email and receipt is evidence. Keep all of it.
A police certificate is required for every country other than Canada where the applicant lived for 6 months or more in a row since turning 18. When a country won't issue one, IRCC's stated route is proof that you asked the right authority plus a letter explaining every attempt, and IRCC says even that can't guarantee acceptance.
1. Who needs one, and from where?
The applicant and each family member 18 or older (not the sponsor), for any country other than Canada where they spent 6 or more months in a row since age 18. For Canada, the checklist says IRCC requests the certificate itself in the situations it describes.
If you and your family members are 18 years of age and older and aren’t permanent residents or Canadian citizens, you must provide a valid police certificate for any country other than Canada in which you spent 6 or more months in a row since the age of 18.
Validity is set per country on IRCC's police certificate page.
For some countries, IRCC's police certificate page says only IRCC can request the certificate. In that case the checklist says to send IRCC's consent form in place of the certificate, and IRCC makes the request.
Some countries may need consent from IRCC to issue a police certificate. If so, you should submit the consent form to us in place of the police certificate. We’ll assess the consent form and start the police certificate request.
2. What does IRCC say to do if you can't get one?
If you can't get a police certificate from your country or territory, you must: show proof that you requested a police certificate from the correct authorities; write a letter explaining all you've done to try to get one. Even if you send us both of the above items, we can't guarantee we'll accept your application.
3. What does a good letter look like?
One page, dated and signed, with attachments:
- What's missing and for which country.
- Every attempt in order, with dates: who you contacted, how, what they said. Attach the written refusals, the emails, the receipts, a signed note from anyone who tried on your behalf.
- Why each route failed, one line each.
- What you'll do if a route opens later, and that you'll send the certificate as soon as it's issued.
The letter is only as strong as its attachments. "I tried" without a trail gives the officer nothing to accept.
4. What if IRCC asks for it again?
Reply with the same package plus anything new. In the threads where people post the outcome, some are approved with the letter and some get a second request. IRCC's stated position is that acceptance isn't guaranteed, so the trail of attempts is what the file relies on.
5. On the checklist
Police certificates are their own item on the checklist (IMM 5533 or IMM 5589). If you're sending the letter instead, upload it in that slot with the proof attached, so the officer finds it where the certificate should be.
OpenVisa is software, not a lawyer or RCIC. This page explains what the rules and forms say; it is not advice about your case. You submit your application yourself.