If you’re applying for Canadian permanent residence (PR) from outside Canada, IRCC may ask you to complete an RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check as part of the background verification process, even if you no longer live there.
This requirement is especially common for applicants who previously lived, worked, or studied in Canada before moving overseas. Many people assume that a police certificate from their current country of residence is enough. However, depending on your immigration history and time spent in Canada, IRCC may also request a separate RCMP check.
In this article, we explain when RCMP fingerprints may be required for your PR application, how the process works, and how it differs from a standard police certificate.
What Are RCMP Fingerprints?
An RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check is a fingerprint-based criminal background check issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Unlike a standard name-based police certificate, RCMP fingerprints are used to search Canadian criminal record databases through the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
RCMP fingerprints may be requested for:
- Permanent residence applications
- Canadian citizenship applications
- Work permits and study permits
- Sponsorship applications
- Employment or licensing purposes
Does Everyone Applying for Canada PR Need RCMP Fingerprints?
Not every permanent residence applicant is automatically required to complete RCMP fingerprints.
In many cases, applicants only need to provide police certificates from countries where they previously lived for six months or longer after the age of 18.
That said, RCMP fingerprints are commonly requested for applicants who:
- Previously studied in Canada
- Previously worked in Canada
- Previously held a Canadian visa or permit
- Previously lived in Canada for an extended period of time
- Have received a specific fingerprint request from IRCC during processing
Every application is assessed individually. If IRCC requires it, they will notify you directly during processing.
What Is the Difference Between RCMP Fingerprints and a Police Certificate?
One of the most common misunderstandings is assuming that a police certificate from another country can replace RCMP fingerprints for Canada PR.
These are two different types of background checks.
| Police Certificate | RCMP Fingerprints |
| Issued by local authorities in another country | Issued by the RCMP in Canada |
| Usually name-based | Fingerprint-based |
| Checks criminal records in that country | Checks criminal records in Canada |
| Used for foreign residence history | Used for Canadian residence history |
Applicants who previously lived in both Canada and another country may sometimes be required to provide both documents.
How Do You Complete RCMP Fingerprints From Outside Canada?
If you are currently living outside Canada, you generally do not need to travel back to Canada to complete the process.
This process is commonly used by applicants living in countries such as USA, China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and many others.
If you are currently outside Canada and require RCMP fingerprints for Canada PR, you will usually need to have your fingerprints taken locally in your country of residence and send your documents to an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency in Canada for processing.
Fingerprints can typically be taken at:
- Local police stations
- Fingerprinting agencies
- Forensic laboratories
Once completed, the fingerprint card is mailed to Canada, where the fingerprints are digitized and electronically submitted to the RCMP.
You can learn more about the process here:
How to Get an RCMP Criminal Record Check from Outside Canada
Common Mistakes Applicants Make
One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is waiting until the last minute after receiving a fingerprint request from IRCC. Processing and international shipping take time, and delays here can slow down your entire PR application.
Other common issues include:
- Poor fingerprint quality
- Incomplete forms
- Mailing documents before review
- Assuming foreign police certificates replace RCMP fingerprints
- Delays caused by international shipping
If you’re unsure where to start, reach out to us early in the process. We’re an RCMP-accredited agency and can help ensure everything is completed correctly and on time.
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