Should I apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)? Perhaps many Indian citizens are curious about when they need it. Well, you will need this when you are looking for immigration, work, or long-term stay abroad to prove that you have no criminal record, regardless of whether you are in or out of India. However, if you only travel to other countries for tourist purposes, you don’t need to get it. For those who do not know how to apply, in this article, we will show you the process of applying for the Police Clearance Certificate in India.
Eligibility
According to the Police Department, before applying for a PCC, you must have an Indian passport and proof of a valid address. Make sure the current address is the same as in the passport and other supporting documents. If you don’t, they won’t approve your application.
Documents Required to Apply for PCC
Once you are qualified to apply for a PCC, you need to prepare some required documents while applying. There are two types of applicants: those who go to countries where immigration checks are required (ECR) because of employment, and those who migrate to non-ECR countries. Common documents are:
- Address Proof
- Emigration Proof
- Old passport with self-certified copy of the first and last two pages, ECR or non-ECR page and observation.
- Copy of the employment contract with a foreign employer
- Copy of a valid visa in English
- Photographs that meet the PCC photo requirements.
How to apply for a police clearance certificate in India
For the convenience of Indian citizens, you can obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in India online. Here we will show you how to apply for PPC online with step-by-step instructions.
image resource: https://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/welcomeLink
- You must register on the Passport Seva website and select Police District from the drop-down menu.
- Click “Apply for Police Clearance Certificate”.
- Fill out the detailed application form. Make sure all information is correct.
- Then click the “View Saved/Submitted Applications” option to submit it.
- Click “Pay and Schedule Appointment” to make the payment. You must pay Rs 500 for the application form fee. Support a credit card, debit card, or Internet banking account.
- Schedule an appointment. Applicants can choose an available time and date to complete their application.
- Print the application form by clicking the “Print Application Receipt” option. When visiting the Passport Office, you must show the Appointment Number on the application receipt as proof.
- When the time comes, visit the Seva Kendra Passport (PSK)/Regional Passport Office (RPO) with original documents and get your PCC.
Or you can submit an e-form on the Passport Seva website. First, you need to download the PCC e-form from the website. After completing it, click the “Validate and Save” button. Log in to your account on the website and upload the XML file by clicking “Upload e-form”. Then pay the fee and make a scheduled appointment.
Local police station
Of course, you can go to the nearest local police station to submit your documents in person.
- You must answer questions about background checks, immigration, and the purpose of the passport application.
- Then submit the required documents as shown on the Passport Seva website.
- Pay the application fee by cash or cheque.
- Finally, collect the certificate.
How to apply for PCC outside India
If you stay outside India, you don’t need to come back to India to get your PCC. To be exact, you can contact the Indian Embassy. Here we will show you the steps to apply for PCC for Indians abroad.
- Go to Passport Seva on the website of Indian Embassies and Consulates.
- Select the region or country from which you wish to apply for PCC. And you will go to the Passport Seva website.
- Click on ‘Register’ and log in to the website.
- Click on the ‘Police Clearance Certificate’ to fill in a new application.
- Once you have submitted an online application form, pay the application fee and print an application receipt with the Application Reference Number (ARN).
- Visit the Embassy Consulate with all required documents.
PCC photo requirements
Definitely, you need to prepare the required PCC photo in your application. Otherwise, you won’t get PCC. Here are the basic parameters of PCC photos.
- The photo size must be 51 mm*51 mm.
- No shadow on your face or in the background.
- The photo background must be plain white without any patterns or objects.
- All facial features are visible, including eyes, mouth, nose, and ears.
- You should keep neutral expressions.
- You need to face the camera directly without tilting your head.
How to get PCC photos
Since you have known the requirements of PCC photos, you need to get a digital photo while you apply for PCC online. Here you can take a photo in a professional photo booth or at home. Of course, DIY your PCC photo at home will be more fun and economical than in a photo store. However, you need to prepare well before taking a photo, such as a camera or phone, a white wall with good lighting, the distance between you and the camera, and clothes.
After you take a photo at home, you can upload this to AiPassportPhotos professional passport photo tool to help you make a compliant photo. Let AI technology crop your picture and improve photo quality with good lighting. Here are the simple steps:
- Launch the website on your device.
- Select and upload a picture that you want to take as your PCC photo.
- Wait for AI technology to process your photo.
- Save printable photos on your devices.
You don’t need to go out to take a photo and wait for the long queue. With AiPassportPhotos online photo editors, get your professional PCC photo instantly.
Conclusion
All in all, it’s easy for you to apply for PPC in and outside India. Follow the steps above to help you get a compliant PCC photo and get your PCC successfully. If you have any questions on how to make a qualified PCC photo, please contact us.
Erin Lo