How To Apply Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?

The passport authorities issue the Police Clearance Certificate to Indian citizens who are looking to move to a foreign country for employment, long-term stay or residential stay. People traveling overseas on a tourist visa cannot and need not apply for PCC from Indian authorities.

As per current records, there are 17 countries designated as ECR (Emigration Check Required) countries. This is mainly due to their relatively lenient laws regarding entry, stay and employment of foreign nationals. In order to protect Indian citizens from undue stress, mostly arising out of wrongful employment, the Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) status on the passport is mandatory for all Indians traveling to the below-mentioned countries on a non-tourist visa.

1. United Arab Emirates

2. Saudi Arabia

3. Yemen

4. Sudan

5. Qatar

6. Oman

7. Afghanistan

8. Syria

9. Kuwait

10. Bahrain

11. Thailand

12. Lebanon

13. Malaysia

14. Indonesia

15. Iraq

16. Libya

17. Jordan

Documents For PCC Application

The following documents are to be submitted by individuals applying for a PCC for work-related travel to the above-mentioned ECR countries

Skilled/semi-skilled individuals

If skilled/semi-skilled individuals have signed a contract with a foreign employer directly and not through a Recruiting Agent (RA) approved by the Protector of Emigrants (POE), the following documents should be submitted for PCC:

• Passport (in original)

• Self-attested photocopies of the first and last two pages (including the ECR/ECNR page and the page of observation, if applicable).

• Address proof (in case of any change of address from the one mentioned on the passport).

• Self-attested copy of the employment contract.

• Copy of visa (a translated copy should also be attached if the original document is in a foreign language)

If skilled/semi-skilled individuals have signed a contract with a foreign employer through a Recruiting Agent (RA) approved by the Protector of Emigrants (POE), the following documents should be submitted for PCC:

• Passport (in original)

• Self-attested photocopies of the first and last two pages (including the ECR/ECNR page and the page of observation, if applicable).

• Address proof (in case of any change of address from the one mentioned on the passport).

• Copies of the employment contract, demand letter and power of attorney from the foreign employer (all of these should be attested by the concerned RA).

• Copy of the registration certificate issued by the POE.

Unskilled individuals/women applicants

If unskilled individuals and women over 30 years of age have signed a contract with a foreign employer without going through an RA, the following documents must be submitted:

• Passport (in original)

• Self-attested photocopies of the first and last two pages (including the ECR/ECNR page and the page of observation, if applicable).

• Address proof (in case of any change of address from the one mentioned on the passport).

• Self-attested copy of the employment contract.

• Copy of visa (a translated copy should also be attached if the original document is in a foreign language)

• Copy of the employment contract, duly attested by the relevant Indian Mission or a Permission Letter given by the relevant Indian Mission/Post.

If unskilled individuals and women over 30 years of age have signed a contract with a foreign employer through a Recruiting Agent (RA) approved by the Protector of Emigrants (POE), the following documents should be submitted for PCC:

• Passport (in original)

• Self-attested photocopies of the first and last two pages (including the ECR/ECNR page and the page of observation, if applicable).

• Address proof (in case of any change of address from the one mentioned on the passport).

• Copies of the employment contract, demand letter and power of attorney from the foreign employer (all of these should be attested by the concerned Indian Mission).

• Copy of the registration certificate issued by the POE.

PCC Application for Emigration-Related Travel to ECNR Countries

A person seeking employment in an ECNR country must submit the following:

• Passport (in original)

• Self-attested photocopies of the first and last two pages (including the ECR/ECNR page and the page of observation, if applicable).

• Address proof (in case of any change of address from the one mentioned on the passport).

• Document proof indicating the application for a long-term visa or residential status or employment contract.

Dependent family members of someone emigrating to or living in both ECR and ECNR countries must submit the following:

• Passport (in original)

• Self-attested photocopies of the first and last two pages (including the ECR/ECNR page and the page of observation, if applicable).

• Address proof (in case of any change of address from the one mentioned on the passport).

• Declaration of sponsorship by the person who is sponsoring the emigration of the applicant.

Online Application for PCC

One can apply for a PCC through the official website of Passport Seva by following this procedure:

• Applicants must first register on the Passport Seva web portal and then log in to their account.

• They must click on the 'Apply for Police Clearance Certificate' link.

• Then they must fill out the application form and submit it. The form fill up can be done online and it can also be downloaded, filled and uploaded back to the website for submission. There is no offline procedure for this.

• The applicants must then go to 'View Saved/Submitted Applications' option and click on 'Pay and Schedule Appointment.'

• After making the payment online through any credit/debit cards or internet banking or through SBI bank challan, an appointment can be sought.

• The application form and receipt should be printed.

• Applicants must make a note of their Application Reference Number or the Appointment Number,

• On the day of the appointment, applicants must visit the PSK with all the required documents.

Police Clearance Certificate Application Form

The application form for a police clearance certificate is available on the Passport Seva website. It contains the following items and the applicant must provide the corresponding information.

• Passport number of the applicant.

• Date of issue and expiry of the passport.

• The country for which the PCC is required.

• Applicant's given name (along with the middle name, if any).

• Applicant's surname.

• Applicant's date of birth.

• Gender.

• The town or city of residence.

• Marital status.

• The type of Indian citizenship (to be selected from the options provided).

• Type of employment.

• Educational Qualification of the applicant.

• Applicant's family details (mention the details of either mother/father/legal guardian):

• Residential address (details must include the duration of stay at the address, the complete address with PIN code)

(In case the applicant's permanent address is different from the residential address, then the section on the permanent address must be filled out.)

• Applicant's mobile number.

• Applicant's telephone number (optional).

• Applicant's Email address (optional).

• Two references (name, address, and phone numbers) from the town/city of residents.

• Declaration as to whether any criminal proceedings are/were conducted against the applicant. (details to be provided, if any)

• Self-declaration (to be ticked).

• Date and Place of filling the form.

Police Clearance Certificate Format

Different countries have a specific format for PCC. Thus, the applicant has to mention the country for which the PCC is required and the document will be printed in the relevant format. All formats commonly contain a photograph of the applicant along with his/her personal details, such as the applicant's full name, his/her date of birth, passport number and a declaration from the authorities that the person is cleared for traveling to the specified country.

Police Clearance Certificate Status

The status of the PCC differs from state to state. In certain cases, the applicant is informed regarding the status of the clearance through SMS, after which the applicant has to visit the police station to collect the certificate after showing the passport. After receiving the Police Clearance Certificate, it has to be uploaded on the Passport Seva website

Applicants can also track the application status through the 'Track Application Status' tab on the homepage of the Passport Seva website. The type of application (Passport/PCC/IC), the date of birth and the File Number have to be entered. Then the application status will be displayed.

FAQs

How can one apply for a Police Clearance Certificate?

An applicant has to procure the Police Clearance Certificate by applying online. The form is available on the official website of Passport Seva; applicants must fill it up, submit it, pay the required fee, attend the scheduled appointment with the required documents.

How much time does it typically take for the PCC to be issued?

If the Police Verification Report (PVR) for the current passport is correct and does not contain any adverse entry, then the PCC is generally given on the same day at the PSK after the verification of documents.

In certain situations (as mentioned below), the PCC is given only after the police verification process has been completed. Once the police department submits the Police Verification Report, the applicant will get a notification from the Passport Office to visit the Passport Office along with the passport to collect avail the Police Clearance Certificate. This rule applies to the following circumstances:

• The applicant was a minor when the passport was procured and hence did not require a Police Verification but is now an adult and thus PVR is mandatory.

• The individual was earlier a dependent of an employee of a government body and thus evaded Police Verification while obtaining the passport.

• The Police Verification process could not be performed when the passport was issued due to various reasons.

• The current address of the applicant differs from the one mentioned in the passport.

What is the validity of Police Clearance Certificate?

Police Clearance Certificate is not exactly a passport service and thus doesn't have any validity. A PCC is required by governments abroad to grant the applicant awork/immigration/residence/family visa or permit. It is generally considered to be valid for 6 months.

Can a PCC be issued for more than one country through one application form?

No, each application form is entitled to one Police Clearance Certificate.

What is the age limit for procuring a Police Clearance Certificate?

There is no age limit for getting a Police Clearance Certificate.

Can minors apply for a Police Clearance Certificate?

Yes, but a PCC for a minor applicant will only be issued when it required by a foreign government.