Police Clearance (PCC)
Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) online through the Passport Seva portal - required by most countries for work visas, immigration, or long-term residency - which is verified by local police based on your current address.
Required Documents
Step-by-Step Process
Register/Log in on Passport Seva Portal
Log in to your existing account on passportindia.gov.in (same login used for passport applications) or register if you're a first-time user.
Select 'Apply for Police Clearance Certificate'
Click 'View Saved/Submitted Applications' > 'Apply for Police Clearance Certificate' and fill in your details, passport number, and the purpose/country for which PCC is required.
Book an Appointment at PSK/POPSK
Pay the fee online and schedule a slot at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra; if your address hasn't changed since your passport was issued, PCC may be granted the same day without fresh police verification.
Undergo Police Verification if Required
If your current address is new or your passport is old, the local police station verifies your address in person; this can take a few days to a couple of weeks.
Download the e-PCC
Once approved, the PCC is issued digitally and can be downloaded from the portal or DigiLocker; most PCCs are accepted internationally in this digital form.
Pro Tips & Warnings
- If your address has not changed since your last passport application, PCC is often issued the very same day at the PSK counter without a fresh police visit.
- Different countries require PCC in different formats (some want it apostilled/attested by MEA) - check your destination country's embassy requirements before applying.
- PCC is typically valid for 6 months from issue for most visa purposes, so time your application close to your visa/immigration submission deadline.