How to get Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India ?

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is issued to Indian Passport holders in case they have applied for Residential Status, Employment or Long term visa, or for immigration. PCC cannot be issued for persons going abroad on Tourist Visa.

There are 3 kinds of applicants for Indian PCC.

Indians residing in India
Indians residing outside India
Foreigners residing in India

We will discuss in detail about the procedure to apply for police clearance certificate in India for each of these categories here.

What are the documents required for PCC in India?

If the applicant's present personal particulars have not changed in Passport and address is not different from that in the existing passport then the following documents are required

Old passport in original with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages including ECR/Non-ECR page and page of observation (if any).

If the applicant's present personal particulars have changed in Passport and address different from that in the existing passport.

For applicants whose personal particulars such as Given name, parent's name, date of birth, place of birth in PCC application form are different than the Passport held, then they have to apply for re-issue of the passport with changed/current particulars as provided in the PCC application form and a fresh Police Verification report may be generated. Only after re-issue of passport with changed/existing particulars, the PCC application against such reissued passport may be processed. For applicants requiring changes in present address or addition of spouse name (due to marriage post-issuance of passport), can submit present address proof document and marriage certificate and in such cases, change of particulars in the passport is not required.

Old passport in original with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages including ECR/Non-ECR page and page of observation (if any).

(Proof Of Present Residential Address) List of Acceptable Documents

Documents to be submitted by PCC Applicants going to ECR countries for employment purposes

[List of ECR Countries: 1. United Arab Emirates 2. Yemen 3. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 4. Sudan 5. Qatar 6. Afghanistan 7. Oman 8. Indonesia 9. Kuwait 10. Syria 11 . Bahrain 12. Lebanon 13 . Malaysia 14. Thailand 15 . Libya 16. Iraq 17 . Jordan]

Documents Required for Skilled/Semi-Skilled Workers (Individuals): Skilled/Semi-skilled individuals who have entered into employment contract directly (and not through Recruiting Agents (RA) registered with Protectorate of Emigrants) with the foreign employer are required to submit copies of the following documents (originals for scrutiny and return):

Old passport in original with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages including ECR/Non-ECR page and page of observation (if any).
Proof of Present Address (in case of change of address)
Self-attested copy of Employment Contract with foreign employer.
Copy of Valid visa (in case visa is already obtained) along with Official English translation if the visa is not in English.

Documents Required for Unskilled/Women Workers (Individuals): Unskilled workers and women (not below 30 years of age) seeking employment directly (and not through Recruiting Agents registered with Protectorate of Emigrants) abroad are required to submit copies of the following documents (originals for scrutiny and return):

Old passport in original with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages including ECR/Non-ECR page and page of observation (if any).
Proof of Present Address (in case of change of address)
Employment contract from the foreign employer duly attested by the Indian Mission or Permission letter from the concerned Indian Mission/Post.
Copy of Valid visa (in case visa is already obtained) along with Official English translation if the visa is not in English.

Documents required for skilled/semi-skilled workers (Through Recruiting Agents): Skilled/semiskilled workers who have entered into employment contract with the foreign employer through Recruiting Agents registered with Protectorate of Emigrants are required to submit copies of the following documents:

Old passport in original with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages including ECR/Non-ECR page and page of observation (if any).
Proof of Present Address (in case of change of address)
Copies of Original Employment contract, demand letter and power of attorney from the foreign employer duly attested by the Recruiting Agent (RA).
Copy of Valid registration certificate issued by the Protectorate of Emigrants, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Govt. of India.
Names of licensed Recruitment Agents can be found at http://poeonpne.gov.in External website that opens in a new window

Documents required for Unskilled/Women Workers (Through Recruiting Agents): Unskilled/Women workers who have entered into employment contract with the foreign employer through Recruiting Agents registered with Protectorate of Emigrants are required to submit copies of the following documents:

In addition to the documents specified for skilled/semiskilled workers, all employment following documents have to be duly attested by the concerned Indian Mission.
- Copies of Original Employment contract, demand letter and power of attorney from the foreign employer duly attested by the Recruiting Agent (RA).
Documents to be submitted by PCC Applicants emigrating to NON-ECR Countries
- Old passport in original with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages including ECR/Non-ECR page and page of observation (if any).
- Proof of Present Address (in case of change of address)
- Documentary proof of applying for Residential Status, Employment (Copy of Employment contract) or Long term visa or for immigration.
PCC for Dependent Family Members of a person residing/emigrating in/to both ECR and Non-ECR countries:
- Old passport in original with self-attested photocopy of its first two and last two pages including ECR/Non-ECR page and page of observation (if any).
- Proof of Present Address (in case of change of address)
- Sponsorship declaration by the person who is sponsoring the emigration of the PCC applicant.
How to apply online for PCC for Indians residing in India?

Follow the below steps to apply online for P CC for Indians residing in India.

You can apply for Police Clearance Certificate application online. Follow the below procedure to do it.
- Visit Passport Seva Online Portal.
- Click on "New User Registration" link on the Home Page.
- Register in the portal.
- Login to the Passport Seva Online Portal.
- Click on "Apply for Police Clearance Certificate" link.
- Fill in the required details in the form and submit.
- Click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link on the "View Saved/Submitted Applications" screen to schedule an appointment. Online Payment has been made mandatory for booking appointments at all PSK/POPSK/PO. Online Payment can be made using any one of the following modes:
  - Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard and Visa)
  - Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) Associate Banks and Other Banks)
  - SBI Bank Challan
  - Click the "Print Application Receipt" link to print the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number.
  Note: Carrying printout of Application Receipt is no longer required. An SMS with your appointment details is also accepted as proof of appointment during your visit to Passport Office.
  - Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Regional Passport Office (RPO) where appointment has been booked, along with original documents.
  Application Form for PCC India
  
  You can also submit Police Clearance Certificate India through application form.
  - Download the e-Form through the "Download e-Form" link available on the Home Page.
  - Fill the downloaded e-Form and click the Validate and Save button in it.This will generate an XML file, which will be required later for uploading in the system.
  - Register through the Passport Seva Online Portal. (Click on "New User Registration" link on the Home Page).
  - Login to the Passport Seva Online Portal with the registered Login Id.
  - Upload the XML file (generated above) through the "Upload e-Form" link.Do not upload the PDF form at this stage as only XML file is accepted by the system.
  - Click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link on the "View Saved/Submitted Applications" screen to schedule an appointment. Online Payment has been made mandatory for booking appointments at all PSK/POPSK/PO. Online Payment can be made using any one of the following modes:
    - Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard and Visa)
    - Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) Associate Banks and Other Banks)
    - SBI Bank Challan
    - Click the "Print Application Receipt" link to print the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number.
    Note: Carrying printout of Application Receipt is no longer required. An SMS with your appointment details is also accepted as proof of appointment during your visit to Passport Office.
    - Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Regional Passport Office (RPO) where appointment has been booked, along with original documents.
    How to track the Police Clearance Certificate status for Indians residing in India?
    
    Follow the below steps to track the Police Clearance Certificate status for Indians residing in India.
    - Visit Passport Seva Online Portal.
    - Click on Track Application Status
    - Select Application Type as "Passport/PCC/IC/GEP"
    - Enter File Number
    - Enter Date of Birth
    - Click on "Track Status"
    How to apply for PCC for Indians residing outside India?
    
    Police Clearance Certificate will be issued to Indian nationals by Embassy only after obtaining the FRESH POLICE VERIFICATION report from India.
    
    Follow the below steps to apply for PCC for Indians residing outside India.
    - Visit Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates website
    - Select the region/country from where you wish to apply for PCC.
    - Now a new tab of Passport Seva website will be opened.
    - Click on "Register" .
    - Fill the required details.
    - Login with the registered login ID and Password on "User Login" link
    - In the Applicant Home Page, click on "Police Clearance Certificate" link to file a new application
    - After successful submission,take a printout of the online submitted form. This will generate the Application Reference Number (ARN) and PDF file.
    - Visit the respective Application Processing Centre/Embassy/Consulate along with required supporting documents.
    - For the list of Application Submission Centre, visit the respective website of Indian Embassy/Consulate/Outsource Service Provider by clicking on link "Embassy/Consulate" Connect
    - Select the country and enter the characters. Click on "Go". Now you can see the contact details of embassy/consulates.
    Print the filled application form and submit in person at the respective Embassy/ Consulate of India along with the following documents and photocopies thereof:
    - Duly filled in and signed PCC Application Form.
    - Applicant's valid passport in original and self-attested photocopy pages containing personal particulars of the applicant.
    - For Indian passport holders: Self-attested photocopy of the passport page containing valid Work Permit or Residence Permit Card.
    - Passport size color photograph
    Note: The list of documents provided in the table above is indicative. It will vary based on the concerned embassy/consulate.
    
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    Non-Indian nationals applying for a Police Clearance Certificate may contact the respective Embassy/ Consulate of India office directly.
    
    How to track status of PCC for Indians residing outside India?
    
    Follow the below steps to track the status of the Police Clearance Certificate for Indians residing outside India.
    - Visit Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates website
    - Select the region/country from where you have applied for PCC.
    - Now a new tab of Passport Seva website will be opened.
    - Click on "Track Status".
    - Enter Application Reference Number.
    - Enter Date of Birth
    - Enter Characters Displayed
    - Click on "Track Application Status" to track the status of application.
    How to apply for PCC for Foreigners residing in India?
    
    Non-Indian nationals applying for a Police Clearance Certificate may contact the respective Embassy/ Consulate of India office directly.
    
    FPCC can be applied for online on the e-FRRO portal.
    
    e-FRRO is online FRRO/FRO Service delivery mechanism for foreigners without requirement of visiting FRRO/FRO Office.
    
    All foreigners who desire Visa and Immigration related services in India viz. Registration, Visa Extension, Visa Conversion, Exit Permit etc need to apply for e-FRRO.
    
    Foreigners are required to create their own USER-ID by registering themselves online on e-FRRO portal. Afterwards, they are required to apply online through registered user-id for various Visa and Immigration related services in India viz. Registration, Visa Extension, Visa Conversion, Exit Permit etc, without any hassle and obtain the service(s) without coming to FRRO/FRO office.
    
    No requirement of taking appointment and visiting FRRO/FRO office unless specifically called upon by the FRRO/FRO concerned. Intimation would be sent through sms/email on the registered mobile/email-id.
    
    Upon successful uploading of application and documents, the foreigner would be intimated to deposit the requisite fee online, if any, for the service. The fee has to be deposited online through Bank Payment gateway available on the portal. Amount of fee would be intimated through email/sms alerts.How would I get RC/RP?RC/RP, Exit Permit etc would sent by post on the “Address in India” mentioned in the online application form.
    
    There would not be any requirement of endorsement on passport. In case, there is any such requirement, you would be intimated by the FRRO/FRO concerned to visit their office.
    
    The foreigner can approach the concerned Civil Authority i.e. FRRO/FRO office directly in case of exigency/emergency. Upon satisfaction of the case, the services can also be granted directly at the FRRO/FRO level. Make sure that services granted are electronic and not manual. You may face hurdles at the Immigration Check Posts in case of manual services.
    
    Foreigner would be liable for prosecution/fines as per Indian laws, for any delay in fee payment/document upload/not attending interview etc.
    
    It is mandatory to use personal email ID for registration. Foreigners should use their own email id to ensure data privacy and data security as important communication would be sent to your email.
    
    You can submit applications for your family members from same ID. However you would be required to submit/fill individual online forms for each member of your family.
    
    At every stage of processing, the status of your application would be shared via SMS/Email. You can also track your status by logging into your dashboard through registered Email-ID/Password.
    
    Once submitted, the applicant cannot leave India until the PCC is issued. Based on the location of filing, a police verification may be conducted before the application is approved.
    
    How long does it take to get police clearance certificate in India?
    
    For Indians residing in India, it takes around 15 - 20 working days from the date of submission of the application to receive a response.
    
    For Indians residing outside India, on average, it takes around 30 working days from the date of submission of the application to receive a response. In case a CLEAR police report is available in the system, PCC will be issued with in 2 working days
    
    Note: All details provided in this guide are indicative. It will vary based on the concerned embassy/consulate.
    
    Reference
    
    In creating this guide, we have referred to high-quality, credible sources such as official government orders, user manuals, and relevant materials from government websites.
    - Passport Seva Kendra
    - Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates
    - Police Clearance Certificate
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