Applicants sometimes get a message in their IRCC account requesting an RCMP criminal record check worded as if it applies because of time spent living in Canada — even when they've never actually been to Canada.
What group members advised:- This request is often boilerplate/automated wording, and on paper-based applications specifically, IRCC has been observed asking for a fresh PCC as standard practice, regardless of the "6 months in Canada" condition technically applying.
- Contact IRCC directly to clarify that you and your spouse have never resided in Canada, so the officer understands the situation rather than assuming residency.
- Provide your PCC from your home country (e.g. India) as the relevant document, since that's what's typically expected for applicants who haven't lived in Canada.
The practical takeaway: don't assume the request is a mistake or ignore it — respond via your application's correspondence channel, clarify you've never resided in Canada, and submit a valid home-country PCC to keep your paper-based application moving.