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Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) For Passport In India: Complete Guide 2026

Komal Bajpai

Author

Updated: 09-02-2026 at 3:30 PM

Serving Over

500K+ Users

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a valuable document of authority which confirms that a person has no criminal history or negative police records in their name. It is needed to serve several functions, including visa, long-term jobs in foreign countries, immigration, and residential status in foreign countries. It is the opposite of the normal issuing of a passport because a PCC is all about your personal background and character check.

This comprehensive guide explains how to get PCC in India, covering the passport PCC application, eligibility, required documents, processing time, validity, and procedures for applicants both in India and abroad.

Overview

The table below highlights the key insights of the police clearance certificate:-

Parameter	Details
Document Name	Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
Issuing Authority	Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), Regional Passport Office (RPO), Indian Police Authorities
Purpose	Background verification for visa, immigration, overseas employment, and long-term stay
Applicable To	Indian citizens and foreign nationals residing in India
Application Mode	Online through Passport Seva Portal / e-FRRO (for foreigners)
Verification Process	Police verification at the current or permanent address
Processing Time	7–30 working days (may vary based on verification)
Validity	Usually 3–6 months (depends on the requesting country)
Fees	₹500 (may vary depending on category and location)
Status Tracking	Available online via Passport Seva portal
Use Cases	Employment abroad, immigration, study visas, and PR applications

Also Read: Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 4.0

What Is A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?

A Police Clearance Certificate is a formal document issued by the Indian government (typically through the Passport Seva Kendra or the police department), which is a certificate that confirms your absence of criminal history on record with the local or national police records. It is also known as a certificate of good conduct.

A PCC for passport purposes is usually required in the following situations:

Lodging an application for overseas employment.
Pursuing immigration or long-term resident visas.
Reclassifying residential in a foreign country.
Application of study programmes that involve security checks.
Some administrative or legal purposes abroad.
On a normal visa, short-term tourist travel does not need a PCC.

What Is A Need Of Police Clearance Certificate?

A PCC is not required for everyone, but certain situations make it mandatory. The following points clarify who must obtain a Police Clearance Certificate and for which purposes it is commonly requested:

Indian citizens,those who travel abroad on a long-term basis.
Indian citizens abroad who apply at Indian embassies or consulates.

Many applicants search for a police clearance certificate near me to locate the nearest Passport Seva Kendra or police authority for verification.

What Is The Application Process Of A Police Clearance Certificate In India?

Applying for a police clearance certificate online is a structured and mostly digital process. The steps below outline what applicants can expect during the PCC apply online India procedure.

The following is a step-by-step list that needs to be followed to apply to PCC:

Step 1: Sign up or log in using your credentials at the Passport Seva site.

Step 2: Select the option for passport PCC application from the services menu.

Step 3: Fill in your own and passport information correctly.

Step 4: Select a date to be verified at the closest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Regional Passport Office (RPO).

Step 5: Fee payment ( The fee payment varies according to the category/country, generally ₹500 or more).

Step 6: Visit the appointment with original documents to verify them and be biometric

Step 7: Local police authorities conduct the PCC verification process, including address and identity checks.

Step 8: When you are found and processed, you get your PCC, which can be downloaded online or can be collected physically.

Also Read: How To Renew/Change A Digital Signature Certificate?

What Documents Are Required For Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?

Documents can be slightly different between countries and depending on the purpose (employment, visa, immigration), but most of them contain:

Standard Documents

Original passport and self-attested copies of:

First two pages.
Last two pages.
ECR/Non-ECR page.
Observation pages (if any).

Proof of present address

PCC Processing Time And Validity

The time taken to issue a PCC depends on verification and documentation accuracy. Below, you will find details on the average processing duration and how validity may vary based on purpose and destination country.

Processing Time

The processing schedule of the PCC mainly relies on the police validation and clearance.
Normal processing can be done in 21-30 days after application.
PCC can even be issued in 7-10 days in certain situations when police verification has already been done or no negative reports have beene received.

Validity

The general validity of PCC should be 3 to 6 months from the date of issue.
The validity of the exact demand may be different according to the foreign authority which is requesting the same, so it is always advisable to verify the individual country's requirement before doing the same.

Also Read: Caste Certificate: Application Process, Benefits & Eligibility

PCC For Indians Living Abroad

Indian citizens residing outside the country can also apply for a Police Clearance Certificate through authorised channels. The following steps simplify the process, authorities involved, and key requirements for overseas applicants:

Apply through the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your country.
Obtain the form of application from the specific site of the Embassy.
Send it along with the necessary paperwork and a copy of your passport.

The Embassy transfers your request to the Indian Passport Issuing Authority, which forwards the verification and PCC, in turn, through the Embassy.

PCC can be applied for by foreign nationals in India online using e-FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office).

How To Check The Status Of The Public Clearance Certificate?

After submitting your PCC application, tracking its progress helps you stay informed and prepared. The steps explain the simple ways to check your application status online and through official channels.

Step 1: Enter the Passport Seva portal.

Step 2: Click on Track Application Status.

Step 3: Key in the file number and the date of birth.

Step 4: The portal will indicate the status: pending or issued.

Step 5: In case of an issue, there will be a download link.

The passport service helpline (1800-258-1800) can also be called to get the status of the PCC.

What Is The Validity Of The PCC?

A Police Clearance Certificate is issued for specific purposes and remains valid only for a limited period. Read below to understand how long a PCC stays valid and where it can be officially used:

Work, study, family, yet,c. long-term visas.
Applications of permanent residency and immigration.
Background checks on employment abroad.
Signing agreements where the character is to be verified.
Resident status approval.

Various countries can impose different PCC validity requirements, e.g. some countries may demand a certificate to be issued within 3 months of submission. Before applying, always ensure that you check with the concerned foreign authority.

Conclusion

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an essential document for Indian passport holders planning to work, study, or settle abroad. It confirms good conduct through a structured PCC verification process conducted by passport authorities and local police.

Whether you are applying from India, through an Indian Embassy abroad, or as a foreign resident in India, understanding how to get PCC in India, the required documents, timelines, and validity can save time and prevent delays. With proper preparation and accurate documentation, obtaining a PCC becomes a smooth and manageable process—bringing you one step closer to your global plans.

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Why Choose Jaagruk Bharat To Apply For The PCC Certificate?

Applying for a Police Clearance Certificate can feel confusing due to multiple portals, document checks, and police verification steps. Jaagruk Bharat (JB) simplifies this entire journey by offering reliable, citizen-focused assistance at every stage.

Here’s why thousands of applicants trust Jaagruk Bharat for their PCC Certificate needs:

End-to-end guidance: Step-by-step support for PCC apply online India, from Passport Seva registration to final issuance.
Document clarity: Clear checklists tailored for PCC for passport, overseas jobs, immigration, or study purposes.
Error-free applications: Helps avoid common mistakes that cause delays or rejection during the PCC verification process.
Status tracking support: Assistance in checking police clearance certificate online status and resolving pending issues.