Do I need a police certificate or background check?
Who usually needs police certificates, FBI checks or an RCMP check, and how long they take.
Most people don't. Police certificates are usually only requested if you've lived outside the US for 6 months or more since age 18.
Police certificates from other countries. If that applies to you, look into getting a police certificate from each country you lived in. You can start before you apply if you think you'll need one. It must be valid within 6 months when you submit your IEC application. If it doesn't arrive in time, IRCC routinely grants extensions, and you can handle that when you get to that stage.
FBI background check. US background checks are less common, and are usually requested when an applicant has a criminal record. If IRCC asks for one, you'll need an FBI Identity History Summary (also called a "rap sheet"). The easiest way to get one is in person through an FBI Channeler. Search "FBI Channeler" plus your area. About 2% of our applicants were asked for one.
RCMP check. Second-year IEC applicants, people coming from another status in Canada, and people with extended stays in Canada are sometimes asked for an RCMP Criminal Record Check. It has to include fingerprinting. About 10% of our returning applicants in 2024 were asked for one. It usually takes about 2 weeks to a month, but it can take longer. It's up to you whether to get one ahead of time to avoid delays in case IRCC asks.
Timing and cost. Processing times vary, but people tell us it's about 2�3 weeks per document on average. Any costs are separate from your InterExchange program fee.
US citizens are exempt from the biometrics requirement.
See our 2026 IEC Working Holiday application instructions for the full list of supporting documents.