Can I apply for a China PCC from overseas?

Yes. Most former foreign residents can apply remotely by authorizing a local representative in China. The exact route depends on the Chinese city, residence history, passport and destination-country requirements.

Do I need to return to China to get a police certificate?

In most standard cases, returning to China is not necessary. Global Attest checks the local route before you prepare documents so you know whether remote handling is feasible.

What documents are required for a China Police Clearance Certificate?

Typical documents include current and previous passport scans, visa or residence permit records, residence registration records if available, a power of attorney for remote handling, and a fingerprint form if required by the local route.

Is fingerprint required for a China Police Certificate?

Fingerprint requirements vary by city and destination country. Some cases require fingerprint verification.

How long is a China PCC valid?

Most immigration authorities consider a China PCC valid for 6 months from the date of issue, but requirements vary by country.

China Police Clearance Certificate for Foreigners

Q: How long does it take to get a China Police Clearance Certificate?

For most standard cases, Global Attest can complete the China Police Clearance Certificate in around 7-10 business days after the required documents are ready. Additional notarization, apostille, consular legalization or multi-city checks may take longer.

Can Foreigners Apply for a China Police Certificate After Leaving China?

Yes. In many cases, former foreign residents of China can apply remotely through an authorized representative. You usually do not need to travel back to China, but the exact route depends on the city where you lived, your passport and visa history, residence registration records, and the requirements of your destination country.

Global Attest checks these details before starting your application, so you understand whether a standard police certificate, notarized certificate, apostille or consular legalization is likely to be required.

Situation	Remote Route
Former employee in China	Usually possible if work and residence records are available
Former student in China	Often possible with passport, visa and school records
Lived in multiple cities	Case-by-case; some cities may require separate records
Need apostille or legalization	Can usually be handled after the police certificate is issued

How Our Remote China PCC Service Works

Initial Inquiry & Basic Information

Tell us which Chinese city you stayed in, your length of stay, visa type and destination country. We will assess feasibility, confirm the cities involved and provide an estimated processing time.

Confirm the Plan & Service Fee

After you confirm the quotation and processing route, you may pay the service fee via international transfer. We will immediately start preparing the necessary application documents for your China PCC.

Provide Supporting Documents

With our guidance you will prepare the required supporting documents, such as a power of attorney, scans of your current and previous passports, police registration forms, and other documents requested by local authorities.

Submission by Our Local Partner

Our local partners will submit your application in person at the relevant Public Security Bureau / Exit-Entry Administration, and closely follow up with the police office until the certificate is issued.

Certificate Issued & Details Checked

Once the Police Certificate is issued, we will send you a scanned copy (and English translation, if needed) for your confirmation, to ensure that all personal details and dates are correct before proceeding with notarization or legalization.

International Courier Delivery

The final original Police Certificate together with any notarial certificate, apostille or consular legalization will be sent to you by DHL / UPS or another trackable international courier to the address you provide.

China Police Certificate for Immigration, PR, Visa and Work

Different countries and authorities may ask for different supporting steps after the China police certificate is issued. We help former foreign residents prepare China PCC documents for immigration, PR, visa, work, study and background-check use worldwide.

Canada PR / Express Entry

Applicants for Canada PR are often asked to provide police certificates from countries where they lived for a required period. A China police certificate may need to match IRCC expectations for names, dates, residence period and supporting translation or notarization.

Australia Visa or Migration

Australian visa applicants may need a China police certificate if they previously lived, worked or studied in China. We help check whether the certificate should be notarized, translated, apostilled or legalized for submission.

UK Visa, Employment or Background Checks

UK employers, visa processes and professional background checks may request evidence of no criminal record from China. The required format can depend on the receiving organization.

US Immigration, Employment and Other Uses

For US immigration, employment screening or overseas documentation, applicants may need a police certificate plus notarial or legalization steps. We review the destination requirement before confirming the route.

New Zealand, Spain and Europe

If your destination is New Zealand, Spain or another European country, the certificate format and authentication route may differ. We check whether translation, notarization, apostille or consular legalization is needed.

Other Countries Worldwide

If a foreign authority asks you to provide a China PCC or no criminal record certificate, we can review the requirement and help arrange the China-side application and supporting authentication steps.

Why the destination country matters

We review your residence history, passport and visa records, and the requirements of the authority you are applying to. Based on this, we recommend whether your PCC should be translated, notarized, apostilled or fully legalized by a consulate.

Canada Australia United Kingdom United States New Zealand Spain EU countries Other destinations

Complete Guide to China Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

Use this quick guide to understand the main requirements before you start. If your case involves multiple cities, old passports or missing records, we recommend checking feasibility first.

What Is a China Police Clearance Certificate?

A China Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), also known as a China Police Certificate or No Criminal Record Certificate, is an official document issued by the Public Security Bureau (PSB). It confirms whether an individual has any criminal record during their stay in China. This document is commonly required for immigration, permanent residency, work visas, citizenship applications, overseas employment, and academic admissions.

Who Needs a China PCC?

You may need a China Police Certificate if you lived in China for six months or longer under a student visa, work visa (Z visa), residence permit, or long-term stay. Immigration authorities such as IRCC (Canada), Home Affairs Australia, UKVI, and USCIS often require police certificates from every country where you previously resided.

What If You Lived in Multiple Chinese Cities?

If you resided in more than one city in China, separate certificates may be required from each city depending on local PSB policies. Cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu and others may have different document requirements and processing routes.

Required Documents

Passport copy (current and previous)
China residence permit copy
Visa history records
Residence registration records (if available)
Power of Attorney (for remote applications)
Fingerprint form (if required)

Validity of China Police Certificate

Most immigration authorities consider a China PCC valid for six months from the issue date. However, specific validity rules depend on the immigration office or embassy reviewing your application.

China PCC for Different Countries

Applicants commonly use China PCC for Canada Express Entry, Australian Skilled Migration, UK Skilled Worker visa, US immigration processing, and other global visa categories. Each country may require translation, notarization, apostille, or consular legalization.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to obtain a China PCC?

For most standard cases, we can complete the China PCC in around 7-10 business days after the required documents are ready. Additional notarization, apostille, consular legalization or multi-city checks may take longer.

Can foreigners apply remotely after leaving China?

Yes. Most applications can be handled remotely through authorized representation, although the exact process depends on the city and your residence history.

Do I need to return to China?

No, in most standard cases returning to China is not necessary. We first review your city, residence period, passport history and destination-country requirement, then confirm whether a remote application route is available.

What if I changed passports after leaving China?

You may need to provide both your current passport and the passport used during your stay in China. Name, passport number and residence dates should be checked carefully before submission.

What if I lived in more than one Chinese city?

Some cases require records or certificates from more than one city. We review your China residence history before confirming the best route.

Do I need fingerprints?

Fingerprint requirements vary by city and destination country. If fingerprints are required, we will explain the acceptable format before you prepare the form.

Can the certificate be shipped overseas?

Yes. After issuance, notarization, apostille or legalization, the original documents can be sent by international courier.

What if I lost my temporary residence registration form?

In many cases, the China PCC can still be issued. We can contact the local police station or relevant local office to help verify the residence record or request a reissued registration document where the local procedure allows it.

Is notarization or apostille required?

It depends on the receiving authority. Some immigration, visa and employment cases only need the police certificate and translation, while others require notarization, Hague apostille or consular legalization after the certificate is issued.

China Police Clearance Certificate for Foreigners: Apply Remotely