If Indian nationals want to work or study in a foreign country, they must apply for a Police Clearance Certificate-PCC to show their clear criminal history. Usually, if you just traveling there for a short trip, you don’t need to apply. In this article, we will show you detailed information on how to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate for Canada PR.
What is a police clearance certificate?
According to the Indian Police Department, the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a legal record issued to Indian passport holders, proving that a person has no criminal history. The PCC must be presented with a current Indian passport and other required documents to immigration officers. When you apply for a visa, get a job, or adopt a child, you will be required to show the PCC. If no criminal records are found after a background check, the local police will issue the PCC. If you need a police clearance certificate, it must be in either English or French.
Required documents for PCC
When applying for PCC in India, you also need to provide some required documents before you start the application. Here you can check the required information below.
- Completed application form.
- You must provide an original passport.
- A photocopy of your passport’s bio page and address page.
- Proof of your PR in Canada
- Two PCC photographs.
- A self-addressed envelope. If you have changed your address, you must show photocopy proof of your current address, such as an Aadhaar card, smart card, rental agreement, or letter from your employer, etc.
- The required application fee.
How to get PCC from India for Canadian PR
After you have prepared all the necessary documents, you can now apply for a police clearance certificate. There are many ways for Indian citizens to apply for a police clearance certificate, such as at your local district police station, passport office, Indian embassy or consulate, and BLS International Centre. And we will show you a detailed application for a police clearance certificate.
Local district police station
If you want to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from a local police station in India, there are a few steps you need to follow.
- Launch the Passport Seva Online portal and register your account.
- Complete the online application form by clicking “Apply for Police Clearance Certificate”.
- Pay your application fee and book your appointment on the website.
- Visit the local police station on the appointment day and tell the officer on duty that you would like to apply for a PCC.
- Submit your required documents, such as a passport, two photographs, and a self-addressed envelope.
- The officer will then collect your fingerprints, photos, and other original documents and ask you a few questions about yourself.
- Once the officer has checked all the necessary information and your background check without a criminal history, they will process your request.
And you will find that the process is usually quite straightforward and can be completed quickly.
Passport office
Of course, you can apply for a police clearance certificate through the passport office. Here you can follow the steps below to complete your PCC.
- Resigter seva passport online portal
You must register through the Passport Seva Online Portal by clicking on the “Register Now” link on the Home page. You should log in to the Passport Seva Online Portal with the Login ID created.
- Fill out the application form
You need to click on the “Apply for Police Clearance Certificate” link and fill out the required details in the form, such as name, and passport information, and submit it once the application is completed.
- Schedule an appointment
After submitting the application, you can click the “Pay and Schedule Appointment” link on the “View Saved/Submitted Applications” screen to schedule an appointment. Select the available date and time you can attend the appointment. You can pay online with a credit or debit card or Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) Associate Banks and Other Banks). Don’t forget to click the “Print Application Receipt” link to print the application receipt.
- Attend your appointment
At the time of booking, you can visit Seva Kendra Passport (PSK) where you have an appointment. It is important to take all original documents.
Applicants under the age of 4 must carry a recent passport-size photograph (4.5 X 3.5 cm) with a white background. If the applicant does not visit the Seva Kendra Passport within 90 days, they must submit the online form again.
Indian embassy or consulate
If you are outside India, you can also apply for a Police Clearance Certificate through the Indian Embassy or Consulate. Here you can check the steps below and apply for your PCC.
- Launch the Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates and register by clicking on the “Register” link to create a new account.
- After you register with your email, you can click “User Login” by logging in with the registered login ID and password.
- Click on the “Application for Ordinary Passport/Emergency Certificate/Police Clearance Certificate/Surrender of Indian Passport/Diplomatic Passport/Official Passport/Identity Certificate” link to file a new application on the Applicant Home Page.
- You must submit the police clearance certificate form after completing it and print it on paper.
- You need to visit the respective Application Processing Centre/Embassy/Consulate along with the required supporting documents and pay for your application fee.
- The Indian Mission will forward the application and issue a PCC if you have a clear criminal history.
BLS International Centre
You can apply for your PCC through the BLS International Centre, which will help Indian passport holders get it from Canada. Here you can check the steps below:
● Complete your application online through the Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates and print it out.
● Submit the PCC application form and required documents, such as original and copy of Indian passport, proof of address in Canada (driver’s license), and status in Canada (PR/work permit/study permit) at the BLS Centre.
You also need to pay the application fee of approximately CAD 35.7 in person at the BLS Centre. You can pay by debit card or cash. If it is a postal application, you will also need to pay the courier fee.
When do we need police clearance certificate for visa application
There is one thing you should know: you don’t need a police clearance certificate when you apply for a tourist visa for most countries. However, there are many situations where you may need a police clearance certificate for visa applications for many countries, such as the Middle East, and South America. And it often requires you to apply for a PCC if you are applying for a work or study visa.
How long does it take to get PCC?
Usually, after you have submitted the PCC application, the consulate can give the PCC after receiving a clear police report from the Indian authorities. So if you apply for a PCC outside of India, it may take several months to receive the PCC. The Consulate will inform the applicant to obtain the PCC issued. However, if you use the postal method, it will take an additional 3-4 working days to process. Generally, PCC delivery will be based on verification, within 2 or 3 weeks of your appointment.
When to submit a Police Clearance Certificate for Canada Immigration from India?
Under immigration rules, you must file your police clearance certificate within 90 days of the date you file your application. Keep in mind that you must begin your police clearance process to avoid delays and it should be six months before you apply.
FAQs:
How can I get urgent PCC in India?
If you need to get an urgent PCC in India as soon as possible, you can apply through PSK by following the steps below. Create an account on PSK’s website, complete the online application form, pay the fee and submit the documents to the nearest PSK. Emergency cases may visit Seva Kendra Passport without an appointment.
Where to submit PCC applications?
As there are many ways to apply for your PCC, you can submit your PCC application through the Passport Seva Kendra website, the Indian Embassies/Consulates, or the BLS – the outsourced organization. Contact the Indian Embassy in your country if you are outside India.
What is the validity of PCC for Canada PR?
You must know that the police clearance certificate remains valid for six months. Therefore, you must apply for the PCC in advance if a PR, work, or study visa is required. Otherwise, you will miss checking application documents, which may delay your plan.
Conclusion
All in all, it is convenient for you to apply for PCC whether you are in or out of India. Prepare all required documents as described above and submit your application to have your police clearance certificate completed as soon as possible. And don’t forget to submit your PCC before it expires.
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Erin Lo