If you plan to settle permanently in any foreign country, the police clearance certificate is one of the essential documents that you will need to successfully qualify for the permanent residence visa process. The police authorities concerned issue a police clearance certificate to Indian passport holders covering the period of time of the applicant’s stay in the particular region. If any applicant has been involved in any type of illegal activity or was arrested for breaking the law at any time, the police clearance certificates point out the full nature and reasoning of the applicant’s case. In very simple words, a police clearance certificate represents how ethical or unethical your character is in the eyes of the law of the counties in which you have lived after the age of 16.

Need and validity of the police clearance certificate in the immigration process

A potential immigrant who is 16 years older and currently residing in India is required to undergo a criminal check. If the candidate is an Indian citizen aged 16 or over and currently residing in India, whose passport was issued MORE THAN six months prior to the interview date for the immigrant visa, he must obtain a Certificate of Authorization from the Police both from the nearest Indian Passport Office as well as from the District Police. in the area in which they reside. However, if your passport was issued LESS THAN six months before the interview date, they only need a Police Clearance Certificate from the nearest Indian Passport Office.

Factors that affect the control of police authorization

The following factors will impact your police clearance verification:

• Has a substantial criminal record: By this, it means that past records will be evaluated. A sentence (s) of 12 months or more in prison will affect your policing.
• Has been convicted of escaping: In the event that you have been convicted of escaping immigration detention (during or during detention or if you escaped and were later detained), it can have an adverse impact on your PCC.
• Is / was associated with a criminal group: In case you have been a member of an organization or group that has a bad record and the Minister of Immigration reasonably suspects your participation in the criminal activities of the group / organization, it may affect your police control.
• Are or were involved in any crime or offensive act: If the Minister of Immigration reasonably believes that his involvement in criminal acts such as human trafficking, smuggling, genocide, sex crime, torture of slavery, a crime against humanity, a crime of grave international concern, becomes difficult for you to get a PCC.
• Your past records prove that you are immoral in character: If your past and present records show that you are not of good character and the government of the country believes that you may be a threat to the country, you will be denied a police clearance.

Procedure to apply for a police clearance certificate (India):

If you are 16 or older, you can apply for a PCC at the locations listed below, based on associated conditions:

If you reside in India and your Indian passport was issued in the last 6 months

Apply at the passport office

If you reside in India and your passport was issued more than 6 months before visa application

You must apply at the Passport Office and the District Police Office near your place of residence.

If you hold an Indian passport and stay outside of India

Local Embassy or Consulate confirming that you have no criminal record (a statement from the Embassy or Consulate is accepted)

If you are an Indian passport holder and currently residing in India, but have lived in another country (except the USA).

You must submit the application at the passport office, the district police office serving your place of residence (if the passport was issued more than 6 months before the visa application) and the previous country of residence (if available)

If you are a non-Indian immigrant visa holder residing in India

Apply at the district police office that serves the area of ​​your residence