Last updated: 16 June 2026 · Reviewed by the Attestation Expert documentation team

📑 On This Page

What is PCC? Types of PCC Attestation Process Documents Required Countries We Serve Why Choose Us FAQs Kerala Applicants UAE Qatar Kuwait Saudi Arabia Oman Bahrain Other States We Serve

What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official government document issued by the police or the Passport Seva Kendra confirming that you have no criminal record in India. It is one of the most important documents required for Gulf employment visas, long-term residency permits, and immigration to countries like UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain.

Once your PCC is issued, it must be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) — and in most Gulf countries, by the destination country's embassy in India as well — before it is accepted by foreign authorities.

📌 Important Note

PCC attestation does not involve HRD attestation — that is only for educational certificates. The correct chain for PCC is: MEA Attestation → Embassy Attestation (and MOFA in UAE/Qatar/Saudi Arabia). Our team ensures your PCC follows the exact correct process for your destination country.

Types of Police Clearance Certificate We Attest

🚔

Kerala Police PCC

PCC issued by Kerala Police for Gulf employment

🏛️

Passport Office PCC

PCC from Passport Seva Kendra / PSK

📋

District Police PCC

Local district police issued clearance

🔏

MEA Attested PCC

PCC with MEA attestation for international use

Step-by-Step PCC Attestation Process

1

Apply for PCC

Apply at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or local police station online or in person

2

Police Verification

Local police conduct address and background verification at your residence

3

PCC Issued

Police Clearance Certificate issued by the passport office or police authority

4

MEA Attestation

Ministry of External Affairs stamps the PCC for international recognition

5

Embassy Attestation

UAE / Qatar / Kuwait / Saudi embassy attestation, followed by MOFA where required

Documents Required

DocumentDetails
Original Police Clearance CertificateOriginal certificate — returned safely after attestation with all stamps
Passport CopyClear photocopy of passport (first & last page)
Certificate Photocopy2 clear photocopies of the Police Clearance Certificate
Passport Photos2 recent passport-size photographs
Additional DocumentsMay be required based on destination country — our team will inform you

Countries We Attest PCC For

🇦🇪

UAE / Dubai

MEA → UAE Embassy → MOFA

 🇶🇦

Qatar

MEA → Qatar Embassy → MOFA

 🇰🇼

Kuwait

MEA → Kuwait Embassy

 🇸🇦

Saudi Arabia

MEA → Saudi Embassy → MOFA

 🇴🇲

Oman

MEA → Oman Embassy

 🇧🇭

Bahrain

MEA → Bahrain Embassy

Why Choose Attestation Expert?

  • ✅Expert Support for MEA & Embassy Attestation — Ministry of External Affairs, India
  • ✅15+ Years Experience — 1,00,000+ certificates successfully attested
  • ✅No Personal Visit Required — courier your documents from anywhere in India
  • ✅Doorstep Pickup — available across Kerala and major cities in India
  • ✅Real-Time WhatsApp Updates — track your documents at every stage
  • ✅Transparent Pricing — complete quote upfront, zero hidden charges
  • ✅Express Service — urgent attestation in 3–5 days (attestation only) for time-sensitive cases
  • ✅100% Document Safety — fully insured, secure handling of original certificates

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs a Police Clearance Certificate for Gulf countries?+
Anyone applying for a long-term employment visa, residency permit, or immigration to UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, or Bahrain typically needs a PCC. Some employers specifically request it as part of the visa package.
How do I apply for PCC in Kerala?+
You can apply for PCC through the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) website online, or visit your nearest PSK/RPO. For passport holders, PCC is issued by the passport office. Local police stations issue PCC for non-passport holders.
How long does it take to get a PCC attested?+
PCC issuance takes 7–15 working days after police verification is completed. MEA attestation of the PCC takes an additional 3–7 working days. Embassy attestation (where required) adds a further 3–5 working days.
Does PCC need attestation for Gulf countries?+
Yes, most Gulf countries require the PCC to be attested by MEA and in some cases by the destination country's embassy in India. We handle the full attestation process once your PCC is issued.
Is PCC the same as a character certificate?+
No. A PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) is an official government document issued by the police or passport office confirming no criminal record. A character certificate from a local authority is different and is not accepted as a substitute for PCC for visa purposes.
Does PCC attestation require HRD attestation?+
No. HRD attestation is only required for educational certificates such as degrees, diplomas, and HSC. PCC is a personal/police document and goes directly for MEA attestation followed by embassy attestation where required.
Can I apply for PCC attestation from Kerala?+
Yes. We offer doorstep document pickup from all major cities in Kerala including Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram, Kannur, and Palakkad. Kerala applicants can also courier original documents to us — we handle MEA and embassy attestation from New Delhi and return documents by insured courier.
What is the difference between MEA attestation and MOFA attestation for PCC?+
MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) attestation is done in India and certifies that your PCC is authentic. MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) attestation is done in the destination country — typically UAE, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia — after the Indian embassy attestation. Both are often required for Gulf employment visas. We handle both ends of this process.
How much does PCC attestation cost?+
The cost of PCC attestation varies based on the destination country and the type of service (standard or express). MEA attestation charges are set by the government. Embassy attestation fees differ by embassy. Call us or send a WhatsApp message for a transparent, all-inclusive quote with no hidden charges.
What is the validity of an attested PCC?+
An attested PCC is generally valid for 6 months from the date of issue. However, some Gulf employers and visa authorities may require the PCC to be no older than 3 months at the time of submission. We recommend beginning the PCC attestation process as close to your visa application date as possible.

PCC Attestation for Kerala Applicants

Kerala is one of the largest sources of Gulf-bound workers in India, with lakhs of Keralites employed in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain. For any Kerala applicant going abroad for work or residency, a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) attested by MEA and the destination country's embassy is a mandatory requirement.

Kerala Police PCCs and Passport Office PCCs from PSK centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, and other cities can all be attested through Attestation Expert. We pick up documents from your doorstep across Kerala — no need to travel to Delhi or visit any government office personally.

📍 Kerala Cities We Serve

Kochi / Ernakulam Thrissur Kozhikode Thiruvananthapuram Malappuram Kannur Palakkad Kollam Kottayam Alappuzha Wayanad Idukki Pathanamthitta

PCC Attestation for UAE — What You Need to Know

UAE is the most common destination for PCC attestation from India. For UAE employment visas and long-term residency, the attestation chain is: MEA Attestation → UAE Embassy Attestation (India) → MOFA UAE. The UAE embassy in New Delhi and its BLS service centres in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata handle embassy attestation. MOFA UAE attestation is typically arranged by the employer in Dubai or Abu Dhabi after you arrive, but we can advise you on the exact requirement based on your specific case.

Attestation Expert has processed thousands of PCCs for UAE-bound clients from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and across India. Our express service ensures your PCC attestation is completed in 3–5 working days (attestation only, excluding PCC issuance time). See our dedicated UAE attestation page for the full certificate checklist.

PCC Attestation for Qatar — What You Need to Know

Qatar's Ministry of Interior and most Qatari employers require an MEA and Qatar Embassy attested PCC before issuing a residence permit (QID) or work visa. The chain is: MEA Attestation → Qatar Embassy Attestation (New Delhi) → MOFA Qatar (on arrival, where applicable). We coordinate directly with the Qatar Embassy's attestation counter to avoid delays from incomplete documentation.

Doha-bound applicants from Kerala, especially Malappuram and Kozhikode, form a large share of our Qatar PCC cases. Full details are on our Qatar attestation page.

PCC Attestation for Kuwait — What You Need to Know

Kuwait visa and residency authorities require a PCC attested by MEA followed by Kuwait Embassy attestation in India; MOFA Kuwait attestation is generally not required for most employment categories but may apply for certain visa types. The chain is: MEA Attestation → Kuwait Embassy Attestation. We track Kuwait Embassy processing windows closely, as they can vary by season. More on our Kuwait attestation page.

PCC Attestation for Saudi Arabia — What You Need to Know

Saudi Arabia has one of the stricter attestation chains among Gulf countries: MEA Attestation → Saudi Embassy Attestation (New Delhi) → MOFA Saudi Arabia. Many Saudi employers and the Ministry of Interior insist on MOFA stamping before the iqama (residency) process can proceed. We guide applicants through each stamp in this sequence to prevent rejection at the MOFA stage. Details at our Saudi Arabia attestation page.

PCC Attestation for Oman — What You Need to Know

For Oman work and residency visas, the standard chain is MEA Attestation → Oman Embassy Attestation, with MOFA Oman attestation occasionally requested by specific employers or government departments after arrival. Oman's Royal Oman Police visa unit typically accepts MEA + Embassy attested PCCs without further authentication. See our Oman attestation page for more.

PCC Attestation for Bahrain — What You Need to Know

Bahrain's LMRA (Labour Market Regulatory Authority) and immigration department require MEA Attestation → Bahrain Embassy Attestation for PCCs submitted with work permit and family visa applications. Bahrain generally does not require a separate MOFA stamp for most categories, which keeps the overall timeline shorter than Saudi Arabia or UAE. Full process on our Bahrain attestation page.

PCC Attestation From Other Indian States

While Kerala accounts for a large share of our PCC attestation clients, Attestation Expert serves applicants across India. Common states we handle PCC attestation for include Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai), Karnataka (Bengaluru, Mangaluru), Telangana (Hyderabad), Maharashtra (Mumbai, Pune), Gujarat (Ahmedabad, Surat), and Delhi-NCR. Wherever you are, you can courier your original PCC to our New Delhi office — we complete MEA and embassy attestation and return the documents by insured courier, with no need for an in-person visit.