What is a Police Clearance Certificate for Studying Abroad?

A police clearance certificate for studying abroad is one of the important documents required for obtaining a student visa for the country selected. A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is issued to an Indian citizen with a valid passport seeking a long stay outside of India. PCC is an official document that states that the individual has no past criminal record in his home country and he is a respectable citizen. It is usually required by students looking for a study visa for studying abroad mainly for pursuing long term courses or getting work permits. It validates the student’s identity, nationality, culture, and any past criminal history.

This Story also Contains

1. What is a police clearance certificate?
2. Which countries require a police clearance certificate?
3. How to get a police clearance certificate?
4. Documents required for a police clearance certificate
5. Police Clearance Certificate Processing Time in India
6. How to Track Police Clearance Certificate Status?
7. Police Clearance Certificate for Abroad Validity

Which countries require a police clearance certificate? One must note that a police clearance certificate for studying abroad is not required for every country; however, some popular countries may ask for it including the UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, and many more. There are several police clearance requirements for abroad that students must cater to. It includes providing the Indian Embassy with relevant documents such as birth certificate, address proof, valid passport, Aadhar/PAN, work proof, and many more.

One more thing to know is how to get a police clearance certificate. Students can obtain this document by filling out a PCC request application form at the official Passport Seva Portal. Read the article below to learn all about the police clearance certificate for studies abroad.

What is a police clearance certificate?

A PCC or police clearance certificate for studies abroad is issued by the Indian Embassy to individuals who verify that the student is not associated with any past criminal activities. All students seeking long-term courses (Bachelor/master/PhD) or work in foreign countries require a police clearance certificate for student visa processes. Moreover, this PCC is not issued on tourist visas as these are short stays.

Many students are not familiar with and explore the answers to where can I get the police clearance certificate. On successful online PCC registration, students can obtain a physical copy of their Police Clearance Certificate at the nearest police station. There may be some fees associated with police clearance certificates for students.

Which countries require a police clearance certificate?

There are many countries that pose police clearance requirements for studying abroad to international students. Some of the popular study abroad countries that need a police clearance certificate for student visa include the following:

• United States

• United Kingdom

• Australia

• Germany

• Afghanistan

• Bangladesh

• Canada

• China

• France

• Greece

• Ireland

• Japan

• Kazakhstan

• Netherlands

• New Zealand

• Russia

• Saudi Arabia

• Singapore

• South Korea

• Switzerland

• United Arab Emirates

How to get a police clearance certificate?

In order to get a police clearance certificate, students are required to be aware of the application process for a police clearance certificate for studies abroad and where they can get a PCC. Below, we have provided detailed information on these two.

How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate?

An overview of how one applies online for a PCC Certificate at a passport Seva Kendra is provided below for prospective applicants.

• Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva Kendra website and register

• Step 2: Log in with your personal credentials

• Step 3: Access the PCC application form and fill it out with required information

• Step 4: Pay the associated fees for a police clearance certificate for studies abroad

• Step 5: Schedule an interview appointment

• Step 6: The applicant will now receive a PCC with a unique reference number receipt.

• Step 7: Visit Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) / Regional Passport Office (RPO) with original documents for verification

Documents required for a police clearance certificate

To apply successfully, it is important for students to present original and right police verification certificate documents to the concerned authorities. Here, we have provided a list of documents required for a police clearance certificate.

• A valid passport

• Address Proof (Electricity/phone/water bills/ Rent Agreement)

• Proof of Birth

• Aadhar Card

• Voter ID

• Pan Card

• Bank Account Details

• Employment Proof (if any)

• Marriage Certificate (if any)

• Application receipts (required when visiting Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office for an interview)

Also Read: Documents Required for Police Clearance Certificate in India

Police Clearance Certificate Processing Time in India

A PCC is issued only after the proper police verification of the aspirant in India. The Police Clearance Certificate is generally processed within 7 to 21 working days. Getting a clear certificate from the police as per the individual application status. If the report is positive from every aspect, PCC can be obtained within 1-2 days as well.

How to Track Police Clearance Certificate Status?

One can track the PCC status by following the following steps of instruction:

• Explore the official Passport Seva Portal

• Click on the ‘Track Application Status’

• Select the relevant option for PCC application status

• Enter PCC reference number and date of birth at the redirected portal

• Click on ‘Track Status’

Police Clearance Certificate for Abroad Validity

The validity of a police clearance certificate for student visa is generally within 3 to 6 months for prospects. The exact PCC validity for abroad studies depends on the preferred country and the personal application aspects.