Need an Indian Police Clearance Certificate in Cyprus? Here's How to Get One

Last updated: 1 November 2026. Fees and steps can change, so confirm with the High Commission before you apply.

A new job offer, a move to Canada or Australia, a long-stay visa for somewhere else in Europe: sooner or later, many Indians in Cyprus are asked for a Police Clearance Certificate, or PCC. It is an official document saying whether you have any criminal record in India, and it is surprisingly easy to leave until the last minute.

The good news is that you don't need to fly home for it. As an Indian passport holder living here, you can apply through the High Commission of India in Nicosia. Here is how the process works, what to bring, and the one extra document that catches many people out.

Who usually needs an Indian PCC?

• Anyone applying for permanent residence, a work visa or citizenship in a third country, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand or the UK.
• People changing employer or sector in Cyprus, when the new employer or an authority asks for proof of good conduct.
• Students and professionals applying for some courses, licences or registrations abroad.

Always check exactly which certificate the other side wants. Some ask for an Indian PCC, some for a Cypriot one, and some for both.

Step by step: applying through the High Commission

• Fill in the form online. The High Commission links to the Passport Seva portal for missions abroad. Create an account, pick the PCC service, fill everything in and print the finished form.
• Gather your documents. Use the checklist below, and bring every original along with a copy you have signed yourself.
• Submit in person. Take your file to the consular counter at the High Commission in Nicosia yourself. The fee is paid there, and in cash only.
• Wait for clearance from India. The High Commission says delivery usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, because the certificate can only be issued once clearance comes from India. Some cases take longer.

Your document checklist

• The completed and printed application form.
• Two new passport photos on a plain white or pale background, showing your full face and shoulders (no glare from glasses). Stick one on the form and clip the other to it.
• Your Indian passport (it must still be valid), with signed photocopies of its first and last pages.
• Proof of your status here: your Cyprus residence permit or visa, with a signed copy.
• Your Cypriot criminal record certificate, the original plus a photocopy. This is the item most people forget.
• A short request letter explaining why you need the PCC (for example, "for my Canadian permanent residence application").

The High Commission may ask for extra documents if needed, and the certificate is issued only after your papers are verified.

The fee

Under the High Commission's fee table in force from 1 July 2026, a Police Clearance Certificate costs €37, which is €35 plus a €2 contribution to the Indian Community Welfare Fund. Take the exact amount in cash.

Getting the Cyprus police certificate first

Because the High Commission wants a Cypriot certificate as part of your file, start there. The Cyprus Police issue a criminal record certificate, and its published forms and guidance list a fee of €20. The Cyprus Police have also launched the DigiPol portal, which brings more than 30 police services online and needs a verified CY Login account.

If the certificate is going to be used abroad and needs an Apostille, check before you apply online: reports say apostilled certificates must be requested in person rather than through the portal.

What this means for you

• Start early. Allow at least two months in total: time for the Cypriot certificate, then 4 to 6 weeks or more for the Indian one. Immigration deadlines rarely wait.
• Check your passport details. If your address or name in India has changed since your passport was issued, police verification may take longer. Mention any changes in your request letter.
• Ask how recent it must be. Many countries only accept a PCC issued in the last three to six months, so don't apply too far ahead either.
• Keep copies. Keep a copy of everything you submit, including the receipt. Police in India may ask for details during verification.
• Ask when unsure. The consular section answers questions at cons.nicosia@mea.gov.in.

Read also: High Commission of India Launches E-Sewa Online Consular Services in Cyprus and Apostille Now Mandatory for Key Consular Documents

Sources: High Commission of India, Nicosia (PCC), High Commission fee table, Passport Seva (missions abroad), Cyprus Police, Politis

Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure the information in our guides is accurate and up to date, but rules, fees and procedures can change without notice. Please verify the details with the relevant official authority before acting on them. This guide is for general information only and is not legal, financial or immigration advice.