Suppose you want to study in India and stay for an extended period for any reason; you will need to organize the documents required for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India 2023. Also, if you have applied for residence or a long-term visa, you should get a police verification.
A police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an important document that verifies that an individual has no criminal record or previous involvement in any illegal activity. The certificate issued by the police authorities is necessary for various purposes, such as emigration, visa applications, and employment in foreign countries.
In India, obtaining a PCC requires submitting certain documents to the police authorities. This article will discuss the necessary documents for obtaining a PCC in India in 2023.
Table of contents
- What is a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?
- What are the documents required for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India 2023?
- How Do I apply online for PCC for Indians residing in India?
- How to track the Police Clearance Certificate status for Indians residing in India?
- How do I apply for PCC for Indians residing outside India?
- How to track the status of PCC for Indians residing outside India?
- How do I apply for PCC for Foreigners residing in India?
- How long does it take to get a police clearance certificate in India?
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What is a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a document that certifies that an individual has no criminal record or pending criminal charges against them. The police or other relevant authorities issue it after conducting a thorough background check on the individual.
The PCC is typically essential for various purposes, such as employment, immigration, visa applications, and foreign travel. It confirms an individual’s good conduct and character and ensures they do not pose a threat.
The PCC may also include details of any criminal records or pending criminal charges against the individual, if applicable. It is usually issued as a physical or electronic document and is valid for a specific period depending on the issuing authority and the purpose.
In India, the police or other relevant authorities, such as the Regional Passport Office (RPO) or the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), issued the PCC. The requirements and procedures for obtaining a PCC may vary depending on the applicant’s nationality, location, and purpose.
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What are the documents required for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India 2023?
Here are the documents required for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India 2023:
Application form
The first and foremost document required for obtaining a PCC is the application form. You can get the form online or offline from the appropriate police authorities. Fill out the form correctly and provide all the correct details accurately.
Identity proof
The next important document required for obtaining a PCC is identity proof. The identity proof can be any government-issued document such as an Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, or passport. The document should be in the applicant’s name and valid at the time of application.
Address proof
The applicant must provide address proof to obtain a PCC. The address proof can be any government-issued document such as an Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, or passport. The document should be in the applicant’s name and show the applicant’s current address.
Passport
If the applicant has a passport, it is mandatory to submit a photocopy of the passport along with the application form. The passport should be valid at the time of application.
Photograph
The applicant must submit two recent passport-size photographs along with the application form. The photograph should be taken against a light background, clear and good quality.
Visa or work permit
If the applicant is applying for a PCC for a visa or work permit purposes, they must submit a copy of the visa or work permit along with the application form.
Fingerprints
The applicant must provide clear and good-quality fingerprints to obtain a PCC. The fingerprints can be taken at the correct police station or by an authorized agency.
Fees
The applicant must pay the required fees to obtain a PCC. The fees may vary depending on the purpose of receiving the certificate and the state where the applicant resides.
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How Do I apply online for PCC for Indians residing in India?
To apply online for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India, follow the below steps:
- Visit the official website of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and click on the ‘Police Clearance Certificate’ option.
- Register on the website by providing the required details such as name, email id, and password.
- Once registered, log in to your account and complete the PCC application form.
- Provide all the required details, such as personal, passport, and other relevant information.
- Upload the required documents such as identity proof, address proof, passport copy, and photographs.
- Pay the required fees online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- Submit the application form online.
- After submitting the application form, take a printout of the application form and the payment receipt.
- Visit the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) with the printout of the application form, payment receipt, and original documents for verification.
- Once the documents are verified, your PCC will be issued and sent to your registered address.
Note: The process of obtaining a PCC may vary depending on the state where the applicant resides. So, checking the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a PCC in the respective state is advisable before applying.
How to track the Police Clearance Certificate status for Indians residing in India?
To track the status of your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) application in India, follow the below steps:
- Visit the official website of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- Click on the ‘Track Application Status’ option.
- Enter the reference or file number you received when submitting the PCC application.
- Enter the date of birth or the passport number of the applicant.
- Click on the ‘Track Status’ button.
- The current status of your PCC application will be visible on the screen. The status may indicate that the application is being reviewed, processed, or dispatched.
- If the application status is ‘dispatched,’ the PCC will be sent to the applicant’s registered address.
Note: The tracking process may vary depending on the state where the applicant resides. Check the specific requirements and procedures for tracking the PCC application status in the respective state before applying.
How do I apply for PCC for Indians residing outside India?
To apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for Indians residing outside India, follow the below steps:
- Visit the official website of the Indian mission or post in the country where you reside.
- Download the PCC application form from the website or obtain it from the Indian mission or post.
- Fill in the PCC application form with all the required details, such as personal information, passport details, and other relevant information.
- Attach the required documents such as identity proof, address proof, passport copy, and photographs.
- Pay the required fees through a demand draft or any other payment method accepted by the Indian mission or post.
- Submit the PCC application form, required documents, and fees to the Indian Mission or post.
- Once the application is submitted, the Indian mission or post will process the application and issue the PCC.
- The PCC will be sent to the applicant’s registered address through a registered postal service or can be collected in person from the Indian mission or post.
Note: The process of obtaining a PCC may vary depending on the Indian mission or post in the respective country. Check the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a PCC in the respective Indian mission or post before applying.
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How to track the status of PCC for Indians residing outside India?
To track the status of your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) application for Indians residing outside India, follow the below steps:
- Contact the Indian mission or post in the country where you submitted your PCC application.
- Please provide them with your reference number or file number that was provided to you when submitting the PCC application.
- Please provide them with the date of birth or the applicant’s passport number.
- The Indian mission or post will check the status of your PCC application and provide you with an update on the current status.
- If the application is under review or processing, you may have to wait until the PCC is issued.
- If the application has been dispatched, the Indian mission or post will send the tracking number of the postal service.
- Use the tracking number to track the PCC’s delivery status.
Note: The tracking process may vary depending on the Indian mission or post in the respective country. Check the specific requirements and procedures for tracking the PCC application status in the respective Indian mission or post before applying.
How do I apply for PCC for Foreigners residing in India?
Foreigners residing in India can apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) by following the below steps:
- Visit the official website of the Regional Passport Office (RPO) or the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- Click on the ‘Police Clearance Certificate for Foreigners’ option.
- Register on the website by providing the required details such as name, email id, and password.
- Once registered, log in to your account and complete the PCC application form.
- Provide all the required details, such as personal, passport, and other relevant information.
- Upload the required documents such as identity proof, address proof, passport copy, and photographs.
- Pay the required fees online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- Submit the application form online.
- After submitting the application form, take a printout of the application form and the payment receipt.
- Visit the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) with the printout of the application form, payment receipt, and original documents for verification.
- Once the documents are verified, your PCC will be issued and sent to your registered address.
Note: The process of obtaining a PCC may vary depending on the nationality and immigration status of the applicant. Check the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a PCC as a foreigner residing in India before applying.
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How long does it take to get a police clearance certificate in India?
The time taken to get a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India varies depending on several factors, such as the applicant’s location, the number of processed applications, and the mode of application. Here are the different scenarios:
PCC for Indians residing in India
- If you apply for PCC in person at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), it can take up to 15-20 working days to process and issue the PCC.
- If you apply for PCC online, it can take 7-10 working days to process and issue the PCC.
- If you apply for PCC through the post office, it can take up to 30-45 days to process and issue the PCC.
Scenario 2: PCC for Indians residing outside India
- The processing time for PCC for Indians living outside India varies depending on the Indian mission or post in the respective country. It can take 4-8 weeks to process and issue the PCC.
PCC for foreigners residing in India:
- The processing time for PCC for foreigners residing in India varies depending on the number of processed applications at the Regional Passport Office (RPO) and the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). It can take 30-45 days to process and issue the PCC.
Note: The processing time for PCC may vary depending on the individual circumstances and requirements of the applicant. Apply for the PCC well in advance to avoid any delays.
Conclusion
Obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is essential for various purposes, such as emigration, visa applications, and employment in foreign countries. The certificate verifies that an individual has no criminal record or previous involvement in any illegal activity. In India, obtaining a PCC requires submitting certain documents to the police authorities.
The documents required for obtaining a PCC include an application form, identity proof, address proof, passport, photograph, visa or work permit, fingerprints, and fees. Ensuring all the documents are submitted correctly and accurately is essential to avoid any delay or rejection in obtaining the PCC.
References
- tesz.in/ – How to get Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India? (2023)
- collegedunia.com/ – Documents Required for PCC
- studyabroad.shiksha.com/ – What Documents are Required for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?