After receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Express Entry, applicants often need to submit a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) as supporting documentation, and turnaround time varies by processing location.
- Apply for the PCC the same day you get your ITA to avoid delays in your 60-day submission window.
- Expect variable processing times by center. Reported experiences ranged from as fast as 6 days (BLS Ottawa) to around 40 days at other centers — location and current workload both affect speed.
- Track your application status through BLS's tracking system rather than assuming a fixed turnaround, since times fluctuate.
- Have a backup plan in case your PCC doesn't arrive within your 60-day document submission deadline — contact IRCC or BLS directly if you're approaching the limit without a result.
Because processing centers vary significantly in speed, don't assume the 60-day window gives you comfortable margin — start the PCC application immediately upon ITA.