Do I need a police clearance from previous countries for Express Entry?

[hassanfree]

Hi everyone,

I’m preparing my documents for Express Entry and I’m trying to make sure I don’t miss anything important. I understand that IRCC usually asks for police clearance certificates from countries where you have lived for a certain period of time.

In my case, I previously stayed in the Philippines for work for more than six months, and now I’m unsure whether I should start arranging the police clearance early or wait until I receive an ITA. I’ve read mixed opinions — some people suggest preparing in advance to avoid delays, while others say it’s better to wait.

While searching for the process, I found this page which explains how to apply for a Philippines police clearance and the steps involved:
https://phclearance.com/

It helped me understand the requirements, but I still have a few questions:

• For Express Entry, is it better to get police clearances before ITA or after?
• Has anyone here submitted a Philippines police clearance specifically?
• How long did it take you to obtain it?
• Any tips to avoid delays with document submission?

I just want to make sure everything is ready so my application doesn’t get delayed later. I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Shmiler]

Can't help you with the Philippines specific questions, but essentially if you are now in Canada and have not returned to Philippines for a duration of more than 6 months (and really better if not at all) then you can apply for the police certificate now.

 

[nisa safder]

If you lived in the Philippines for more than 6 months, I’d suggest preparing the police clearance early to avoid delays after ITA. Some countries take longer to process documents, so having it ready can save time.

I found this guide on the Philippines Police Clearance helpful for understanding the process and requirements.

Just make sure to check IRCC validity rules so your certificate is still valid when you submit your application.