Definition
An official certificate stating you have no criminal record in India. Indian citizens get it through the Passport Seva system for ₹750. It is needed for work, study, long-stay and residence visas and immigration, rarely for short tourist visas.
When you need a PCC
- Work visas and employment passes, for example in the Gulf, Europe or Singapore
- Permanent residence and immigration to Canada, Australia or New Zealand
- Some long-stay study and family visas
- Occasionally for adoption or marriage abroad
Tourist visas for Dubai, Thailand, the Schengen countries or the US do not normally ask for one.
How to apply in India
- Register on the Passport Seva portal and fill in the PCC form.
- Pay ₹500 and book a PSK or Post Office PSK appointment.
- Carry your passport and proof of current address.
If your current address matches your passport and earlier verification was clear, the PCC is often issued the same day. If you have moved, police verification at the new address comes first, which can take one to three weeks.
Example
A Gurugram software engineer applying for Canadian permanent residence needs a PCC from India and from every country where she has lived for six months or more as an adult. Because she moved from Noida last year, police verify her Gurugram address before the PCC is issued, about 12 days after her PSK visit.
Practical advice
Most authorities treat a PCC as current for about six months, so time it with your application rather than months ahead. Check the exact format required: some countries want it addressed to their embassy, and Gulf employers may want it attested. If you live abroad, apply through the Indian embassy or consulate there, which can take several weeks.
For tourist visa paperwork, see our visa hub and visa assistance service.