Is it mandatory to present a police certificate to apply for the Canada WHV

Volare Editorial | March 24, 2026

Security and admissibility are fundamental pillars of the Canadian immigration process. As part of the background evaluation, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires all applicants for the International Experience Canada (IEC) program to demonstrate that they do not have criminal records that pose a risk to the country.

Police Certificate Requirements

An official certificate is required to move forward with the application process. An affidavit or a private document is not enough; it is essential to present a police certificate issued by the competent authorities of your country of origin or current residence.

Additionally, regulations state that you must present a police certificate from any other country where you have lived for six or more consecutive months since you turned 18. This requirement is cumulative and exhaustive, meaning that if you lived in several countries for periods longer than a semester, you must manage each of the corresponding certificates individually.

Document Validity

It is important to note that affidavits are not valid to replace police certificates. IRCC only accepts official documents with stamps and signatures from the corresponding security agencies or ministries. Furthermore, if the certificates are not originally written in English or French, they must be accompanied by their respective certified translation and the translator's affidavit.

Logistical Considerations

Since obtaining international police certificates can take several weeks or months, it is recommended to start these procedures as soon as the invitation to apply is received. Having these documents ready before booking your flight ticket to Canada is an essential precautionary measure, as it ensures that the traveler's security profile is fully validated before their arrival at the point of entry.

Additional Resources

To learn about specific police certificate application procedures by country and accepted formats, you can consult our detailed guide: WHV Canada Police Certificates - Volare Global.