The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires police certificates from every country where you have lived for 6 months or more since the age of 18. If you have ever lived in Poland, you must submit a Polish Police Clearance Certificate (KRK) .
As of 2024/2025, Canada is now a full member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This means your Polish PCC is not valid for Canada unless it has an Apostille attached. A simple scan or email printout will not work.
Lex Corporation specializes in obtaining the exact Poland PCC format that IRCC case officers accept.
IRCC Technical Requirements for Poland PCC
According to IRCC guidelines:
- Format: Paper certificate with stamps and seals (XML files are strictly rejected).
- Legalization: Must be an “original” document. Since Canada is in the Hague Convention, this means an Apostille from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Translation: The certificate is in Polish. IRCC requires a certified English or French translation.
- Validity: The certificate must be issued within 6 months of your date of submission to IRCC.
The Problem with Applying Directly
You cannot walk into a Polish consulate in Toronto or Vancouver to get this. They do not issue KRK certificates. You must request it from Poland. Trying to ask a friend in Poland to queue at the court often fails because the court requires a specific Power of Attorney notarized for that specific person.
How Lex Corporation Helps Canadian Applicants
We act as your licensed legal proxy in Warsaw.
- We receive your signed Power of Attorney digitally.
- We submit to the National Criminal Register (KRK) – Usually ready in 1-2 days.
- We obtain the Apostille from the Polish MFA (required for Canada).
- We arrange Sworn Translation (Polish to English) by a court-certified translator.
- We courier the package to your address in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, or Montreal (2-3 days).
Common IRCC Rejection Reasons (And How We Avoid Them)
| Rejection Reason | Lex Corporation Solution |
|---|---|
| “Electronic certificate submitted” | We ONLY provide original paper certificates. |
| “Missing Apostille” | We automatically legalize all documents for Canada. |
| “Translation not certified” | We use government-listed “tłumacz przysięgły”. |
| “Certificate too old” | We offer “Just in Time” processing to meet your 6-month window. |
Official Canadian & Polish Links
- IRCC Police Certificate Guide: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/police-certificates/how/poland.html
- Polish KRK Contact: b-krk@ms.gov.pl
Don’t let a missing PCC delay your Express Entry draw.
Contact Lex Corporation
- Website: https://lexcorporation.pl/
- WhatsApp: +48 573 467 138
- Email: info@lexcorporation.pl
An old mistake from years ago should not prevent you from getting a visa to the USA or a job in London. If you have a criminal conviction in Poland, you may be eligible for Zatarcie skazania (Criminal Record Expungement).
Once a conviction is expunged, it is legally removed from the National Criminal Register (KRK) . When you (or an employer) request a Police Clearance Certificate, the conviction will not appear.
However, expungement is rarely automatic for serious crimes, and foreigners need a legal representative to file the motion with the court. Lex Corporation provides legal consultation and representation to clear your name.
How Does “Zatarcie Skazania” Work?
Under the Polish Penal Code (Art. 106), a conviction is considered “expunged” after a certain period:
- Fines / Restrictions: 6 months after payment/completion.
- Suspended Sentence: 6 months after the probation period ends.
- Imprisonment (up to 3 years): 5 years after serving the sentence.
- Imprisonment (over 3 years): 10 years after serving the sentence.
Automatic vs. Legal Action
- Automatic Expungement: Happens by law after the time periods pass. However, sometimes the KRK system does not update automatically for foreigners.
- Court-Ordered Expungement: You can apply to the court before the statutory period ends if you have shown good conduct (employment, clean life).
The Lex Corporation Expungement Process
If your background check is showing a conviction that should be gone (or you need it gone early), we can help.
- Consultation & Audit: We check your current status in the KRK.
- Evidence Gathering: We help you collect proof of rehabilitation (employment history, character references).
- Motion Drafting: Our legal team drafts the “Wniosek o zatarcie skazania” (Motion for Expungement) in legal Polish.
- Court Representation: We file the motion with the competent District Court in Poland.
- Verification: Once granted, we request a fresh Poland PCC to confirm the record is clean.
Who Needs Expungement?
- Teachers applying for jobs in international schools (safeguarding checks).
- Visa Applicants for Canada, Australia, or the UK (they often require no “unspent” convictions).
- Professionals seeking licenses in medicine or law.
Disclaimer: Expungement is not possible for all crimes (e.g., violent felonies often have longer waiting periods). We offer a free initial assessment of your case.
Can I get a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) during the waiting period?
Yes, you can still get a PCC. However, it will show the conviction until the expungement is finalized by the court.
Stop letting the past haunt your future. Contact Lex Corporation for a confidential case review.
Contact Lex Corporation
- Website: https://lexcorporation.pl/
- WhatsApp: +48 573 467 138
- Email: info@lexcorporation.pl