Indian Police Clearance Certificate Application for US Visa

If you're planning to apply for a US visa or green card, then one of the essential documents you need to obtain is a police clearance certificate (PCC). This certificate indicates that you have no criminal record in India and is a requirement for obtaining a US visa or Green Card.

How To Apply: Online on the Passport Seva Portal.PCC Processing Time: 10 working days.PCC Validity: Validity of 6 - 12 months.PCC Price: INR 500 when applied in India.

Is A PCC Required For A US Visa?

Yes, a police clearance certificate (PCC) is required for a US tourist visa from India and a US visa interview. When applying for a US visa, the applicant is required to undergo a thorough background check, which includes obtaining a police clearance certificate (PCC) from their country of origin.

A police verification certificate is required from all applicants 16 years or older.

US missions require the PCC to be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), so you cannot simply get it from your local police station.

What Is A Police Clearance Certificate?

A police clearance certificate is an official document issued by a government authority that certifies whether an individual has a criminal record. It is often required for immigration or employment purposes, among others.

What Are The Documents Required For A Police Clearance Certificate?

To apply for a police clearance certificate, you need to provide the following documents:

• A filled-out application form

• A copy of your passport

• Proof of current address (e.g., a utility bill or bank statement)

• Proof of previous address (e.g., a rental agreement or utility bill)

Eligibility Criteria

• Any Indian citizen

• Has lived in India for six months or more

• Has no criminal record

• Eligible to apply for a police clearance certificate in India for a US visa or green card

• Specific eligibility criteria may vary depending on the jurisdiction of the issuing authority and the purpose of the PCC.

How To Apply For A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?

If you are an Indian citizen applying for a US visa, you need to provide a police clearance certificate (PCC) from India. To obtain an MEA attested PCC, follow these steps:

Step 1: Register

Register on the Passport Seva Online Portal.

Step 2: Choose The Correct Application

After registering, you must choose “Apply for a police clearance certificate.”

Step 3: Obtain The Police Clearance Certificate Application Form

You can obtain the police clearance certificate application form online.

Step 4: Fill Out The Application Form

Fill out the application form with all the required information. The address you choose is where the police will come to verify your address.

Step 5: Pay The Fees

Click the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link on the "View Saved/Submitted Applications" screen to schedule an appointment.

Once your application is accepted, pay the required fees of Rs 500. You can make an online payment using one of these modes:

• Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard and Visa)

• Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) Associate Banks and Other Banks)

• SBI Bank Challan

After you pay the fee, wait 2 hours for it to activate.

Step 6: Upload The Documentation

Once activated, upload the following documents:

• Proof of residence,

• Copy of Aadhar,

• Copy of pan card.

On The Day Of Your Appointment At The Nearest Passport Center Chosen In The Application Process

Make sure to bring the following documents with you:

• Carry passport

• Copies of the front and back of the passport

• Passport photo: The photo should be in color and recent, taken against a white background, and be clear and in focus. The size should be 2 inches by 2 inches (5 cm by 5 cm), with the applicant's face centered and occupying at least 70-80% of the frame. The applicant should have a neutral expression with both eyes open and not be wearing any headgear or glasses that obstruct the face. The passport-photo should be printed on high-quality photo paper with a resolution of at least 600 dpi.

• Original Aadhar card. If you don't have one, print it digitally in color and get it laminated.

Go to counter A

• Submit all the relevant information.

• Fill out a form that will be given to you.

Go to counter B

An MEA official will review all your documents.

Go To Counter C

Another MEA official review

After The Appointment

To finish your application, the following steps will be followed:

• Your local police station will call you within 24 hours.

• They’ll ask for a suitable time to come and confirm your residential address.

• They will schedule the appointment at your preferred time and verify your residential address by speaking to your neighbors.

• They will verify the information against their internal databases.

• If everything is in order, they will send the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will dispatch your original Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) via courier.

• You can then present the original PCC to the US mission as part of your visa/green card application.

Overview Of The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

This section discusses everything you need to know about the police clearance certificate (PCC).

What Type Of PCC Is Required For A US Visa/Green Card?

For a US visa/green card application, you would typically need a police clearance certificate (PCC) issued by the Indian authorities. This PCC should be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to be accepted by the US missions.

It is important to ensure that the PCC is issued for the correct purpose and is obtained from the jurisdiction(s) where you have lived in India for six months or more.

What Is The Processing Time Of The PCC?

In general, the processing time for a PCC in India is around 10 working days.

The processing time of the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for a US visa/green card application can vary depending on several factors, such as the jurisdiction of the issuing authority, the purpose of the PCC, and the volume of applications being processed.

What Is The PCC Fee?

In India, the fee for a PCC is typically around INR 500 (approximately USD 7) for a standard processing service.

However, additional fees may apply for expedited processing or other services.

What Is The Validity Of The PCC?

Generally, a PCC is valid for 6 - 12 months from the date of issue.

The validity of the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for a US visa/green card application can vary based on the issuing authority and the purpose of the PCC.

How To Check My PCC Status?

To check your PCC status, follow these simple steps:

• Go to the Passport Seva portal and click on "Track Application Status".

• Choose the type of application, such as Passport, PCC, IC, or GEP.

• Enter your 13-digit file number and date of birth.

• Click on "Track Status".

• The tracker screen will display the updated status of your PCC application.

You can also do a police clearance certificate download here on the Passport Seva portal after your PCC has been issued.

What Is The Process To Get A PCC For Indians Living Outside India?

Indian nationals living outside India can approach the Indian Diplomatic Mission/Post with jurisdiction over their residence to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for a US visa/green card application.

The required documents are submitted, and the PCC application is forwarded for police verification and clearance. Once the process is complete, the PCC certificate is issued and can be collected in person or via courier/post.

Remember that the fees, processing time, and validity might be different when you apply from outside India. The fees might be more.

What to Do if the Police Clearance Certificate is Delayed or Not Available?

In case your police clearance certificate is delayed or unavailable, you can try doing the following:

• Contact the issuing authority to inquire about the status of your application.

• Request for expedited processing if you require the police clearance certificate urgently.

• Seek professional advice if the delay or issue persists.

• Consider alternative options, such as obtaining a police clearance certificate from a different jurisdiction or country, if necessary.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To avoid getting making mistakes, you can keep the following tips in mind:

• Providing incomplete or incorrect information on the application form.

• Not submitting all required documents or not submitting them in the correct format.

• Not applying for the police clearance certificate from all jurisdictions where you have lived in India for six months or more.

• Not paying the correct fee or not paying the fee on time.

• Not requesting the police clearance certificate from the correct issuing authority.

• Not providing accurate and complete personal information, such as name and date of birth.

All Done!

Obtaining a police clearance certificate in India is a crucial step in the US visa or Green Card application process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can apply for and obtain a police clearance certificate in India hassle-free.

Remember to keep all your documents ready and check the status of your application online for a smooth process. Good luck with your application!

Government Sources

All information was gathered from reputable sources such as:

• PSP Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India