India Police Clearance Certificate

Intro

The India Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document issued to Indian passport holders certifying their criminal record status. It is required when applying for residential status abroad, employment, long-term visas, or immigration, not for tourist visa travel. Submitting an India PCC application online through the Passport Seva portal requires a digital photo of exactly 630×810 pixels, in color, on a white background, with a maximum file size of 250 KB. These India police clearance certificate photo requirements are checked automatically on upload; a non-compliant file blocks submission before any officer reviews it. This page covers the complete India PCC photo size spec, the application process, fees, and common rejection causes.

Photo requirements at a glance

Attribute	Requirement
Dimensions	630 × 810 pixels
Color mode	Color
Background	White
Maximum file size	250 KB
Face coverage	80–85% of the photograph
Head framing	Full head from crown to chin; centered, not tilted
Eyes	Open and clearly visible; no hair across eyes
Expression	Natural; mouth closed
Lighting	Uniform; no shadows, no flash reflections, no red-eye
Camera distance	1.5 meters
Glasses	Must be removed
Software alterations	Not permitted

These specifications apply to the national Passport Seva portal used for most India PCC applications. Two state-level portals (Goa, West Bengal) use different specs; see Country-specific notes below.

Why these specs matter

The Passport Seva portal validates every uploaded photo automatically before any officer sees it. The two portal error messages applicants most often encounter are "Image Size is not correct. Dimensions should be 630×810 pixels" and "Photo is not valid as per ICAO standards". Both block the submission entirely.

The 630×810 pixel dimension requirement and white background are documented across multiple Indian missions. The 250 KB file size ceiling means even a correctly-sized photo can fail if the file is too large. The 80–85% face coverage rule enforces the ICAO biometric standard: the face must nearly fill the frame while the full head from hairline to chin remains visible. Uniform lighting with no shadows, no flash reflections, and no red-eye is an explicit criterion, as is the ban on photos altered by computer software. Glasses must be removed because even frameless lenses produce reflections the system flags. A photo that is not blurred and passes all of the above checks is the only one the portal will accept.

How to take the photo with iShotAPhoto

1. Select the document. Open iShotAPhoto.com and choose India Police Clearance Certificate from the document list.
2. Upload your photo. The AI compliance check validates the image against the 630×810 px dimension, white background, face coverage, and ICAO requirements.
3. Preview for free. Review the cropped and resized result before downloading anything.
4. Download the compliant file. The download is free. The file is sized and formatted for direct upload to the Passport Seva portal.
5. Order a print (optional). If your India PCC application requires in-person submission at an overseas Indian mission, printed photo delivery is available as an add-on.

How to take it yourself with a phone

A smartphone photo can meet the India PCC photo requirements if the conditions are right.

1. Use natural daylight from the front. Position yourself facing a large window. Avoid sunlight from behind or to one side; both produce shadows that fail the uniform-lighting check.
2. Set up a plain white background. A white wall or a flat sheet of white paper works. Creases and any patterned surface will show up and distract from the face.
3. Stand at the right distance. The official guidance specifies 1.5 meters from the camera. At this distance the head and top of the shoulders fit the frame naturally, making the 80–85% face coverage easier to achieve without distortion.
4. Have someone else hold the phone. A self-taken photo at arm's length rarely keeps the head centered and tends to create shadows on one side.
5. Posture, gaze, and expression. Keep your head centered and level, not tilted. Look directly at the camera with a natural expression and closed mouth. Remove glasses before the shot.
6. Check before uploading. Confirm that both eyes are fully open, no hair falls across the eyes, and the image is sharp throughout. Resize to exactly 630×810 pixels and verify the file stays under 250 KB.

Common rejection reasons

Wrong pixel dimensions. The portal error message is explicit: dimensions must be exactly 630×810 pixels. A photo cropped to 629×810 or any other size fails.

Failed ICAO check. Photos not valid per ICAO standards are rejected automatically. This catches faces that are too small in the frame, incorrect background color, unusual head angle, and similar issues.

Hair across the eyes. Hair falling across the eyes is a listed cause of photo rejection. Brush or tie back any hair that touches the face before taking the shot.

Shadows, flash reflections, or red-eye. The photo must be taken with uniform lighting and show no shadows or flash reflections on the face, and no red-eye. Overhead lights directly above the head and on-camera flash are both common culprits.

Blurred image. Blurred photos are not accepted. The phone must be held still, ideally steadied against a surface, when the shutter is triggered.

Glasses reflections. Glasses must be removed because reflections cause rejection. There is no exemption for thin frames or prescription lenses.

Computer software alteration. Photos altered by software are rejected outright. Skin smoothing, background replacement, eye brightening, and any other retouching are all covered by this rule.

Address mismatch without fresh verification. On the application form itself, if the applicant's present address differs from the address in the passport, the application requires fresh police verification before PCC can be issued.

Incorrect or suppressed information. Providing incorrect information or suppressing information on the form leads to rejection and may attract penal provisions under the Passports Act, 1967. The application form is machine-readable and scanned by ICR scanners; incomplete or inappropriately filled forms are not accepted.

How iShotAPhoto compares to other options

Getting a compliant India PCC photo is one step in the application; here is how the common options compare:

Option	Cost	Time	Approval likelihood	Convenience
iShotAPhoto	Low	Quick	High when AI check passes	High (done at home)
Pharmacy photo counter	Moderate	Moderate	Varies (depends on whether staff know the 630×810 px digital spec)	Moderate
Professional studio	Premium	Moderate	Highest when the studio is familiar with PCC digital requirements	Lower (requires travel)
Phone booth	Low	Quick	Varies (most booths produce prints rather than digital files)	Moderate

Costs and times vary by region.

Country-specific notes

Domestic applications

For domestic India PCC applications, the fee at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Mini PSK is Rs. 500/-, payable in cash only. Applications must be submitted within the jurisdiction of the applicant's Passport Office. If the existing police verification report is clear, the PCC is issued the same day at the PSK or Mini PSK. If fresh verification is needed, the Passport Office informs the applicant by email or letter and the applicant must bring their passport to the office to collect the PCC. The country for which the PCC is issued will be stamped on the applicant's passport. There is no emergency PCC service; applicants should apply well in advance.

Goa state portal

The Goa Police operate a separate online portal at citizen.goapolice.gov.in for persons of Indian origin who have resided in Goa for more than one year. The photo specifications for this portal are materially different from the national standard: 600×600 pixels, color, accepted in JPEG/JPG/PNG/BMP format, maximum file size 500 KB, and approximately 70% clear face visibility. The Goa portal charges Rs. 200/- and processes applications within 5 working days. These specs must not be applied to a national Passport Seva application; the two portals have incompatible requirements.

West Bengal state portal

West Bengal has its own PCC portal at pcc.wb.gov.in. Applicants in West Bengal who do not hold an Aadhaar card must apply directly through their local Police Station or Police District Office rather than the online portal.

Overseas applicants

Indian nationals overseas initiate their India PCC application online at mportal.passportindia.gov.in and then submit documents in person or by courier to the nearest Indian mission. Processing times vary by mission, and PCC issuance has no fixed timeframe because it depends on receipt of clearance from Indian police authorities:

• HCI Wellington covers New Zealand, Samoa, Niue, Vanuatu, and Cook Islands, with a processing time of 5–6 weeks after receipt of a complete application and a fee of NZD 45. Residents of the Northland, Auckland, and Waikato regions must apply through CGI Auckland instead.
• India Embassy Buenos Aires processes applications in 6–8 weeks with no guarantee of issuance within that timeframe.
• CGI Atlanta processes applications in 5–7 working days from receipt of a complete postal application, with a consular fee of USD 45 plus USD 2 ICWF.
• CGI Houston charges USD 25 for passports issued at Houston or USD 40 for passports issued by other Indian missions, plus ICWF and outsourcing charges.
• CGI San Francisco has routed miscellaneous consular services including PCC through a third-party channel from 1 August 2025.

HCI Kuala Lumpur requires Indian nationals applying for PCC in person to include one recent printed photograph of 5×5 cm with a white background. This is the print size for the physical submission package; the digital upload spec remains 630×810 pixels. Foreign nationals at HCI KL must include two such printed photographs.

ECR country applications

Workers applying for PCC to travel to any of the 17 Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries require additional employment documentation beyond the standard passport copy. The ECR list in the official document includes UAE, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Qatar, Afghanistan, Oman, Indonesia, Kuwait, Syria, Bahrain, Lebanon, Malaysia, Thailand, Libya, Iraq, and Jordan. This list is periodically updated by the Ministry of External Affairs; verify the current list at passportindia.gov.in before applying.

Special cases

Head coverings

Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons. When a religious head covering is worn, the facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown. Any covering that obscures the forehead, the cheeks, or the jawline will cause the photo to fail the ICAO check.

Glasses

Glasses must be removed for the PCC photo. There is no glasses exemption for PCC applications. This rule applies to all eyewear including frameless and thin-frame glasses, both of which can produce glare that the portal flags.

Dependent family members

Dependent family members emigrating with a person to ECR or non-ECR countries must provide a sponsorship declaration by the sponsoring person in addition to standard documents.

Skilled and unskilled workers

Skilled and semi-skilled workers going to ECR countries for employment must include a self-attested copy of the employment contract with the foreign employer. Unskilled workers and women going to ECR countries must provide the employment contract duly attested by the Indian Mission or a permission letter from the Mission. Workers applying through a Recruiting Agent registered with the Protectorate of Emigrants must also include a valid registration certificate issued by the Protectorate of Emigrants.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a Police Clearance Certificate from India if I am going abroad on a tourist visa?

No. A PCC cannot be issued to persons going abroad on a tourist visa. It is issued only for residential status, employment, long-term visa, or immigration purposes. When a foreign country's visa application requires a police clearance certificate from India for visa support, that counts as a long-term visa purpose and qualifies.

What is the India PCC photo size for the online portal?

The Passport Seva portal requires a 630×810 pixel color photo with a white background and a maximum file size of 250 KB. The face must cover 80–85% of the photograph. Photos must comply with ICAO standards and must not be altered by computer software.

How to get a Police Clearance Certificate in India: what are the steps?

Indian residents apply online via the Passport Seva portal and then attend a PSK or Mini PSK within their Passport Office jurisdiction in person. Bring the original passport with a self-attested photocopy of the first two and last two pages including the ECR/Non-ECR page, plus proof of present address if it differs from the passport. The fee is Rs. 500/- in cash only at the PSK. If the existing police verification report is already clear, the PCC is issued the same day.

How long does it take to get a Police Clearance Certificate from India?

At a domestic PSK, if the existing verification is clear, the PCC is issued the same day. Where fresh police verification is required, there is no fixed timeframe. Through overseas missions, typical windows are 5–6 weeks at HCI Wellington and 6–8 weeks at India Embassy Buenos Aires with no issuance guarantee. All timelines depend on receipt of a clear police verification report from India.

What is the PCC fee in India?

The domestic fee at a PSK or Mini PSK is Rs. 500/-, payable in cash only. Overseas fees vary by mission: HCI Wellington charges NZD 45; CGI Atlanta charges USD 45 consular fee plus USD 2 ICWF; CGI Houston charges USD 25 for Houston-issued passports or USD 40 for other missions, plus ICWF and outsourcing charges; the Goa Police state portal charges Rs. 200/- for eligible Goa residents.

Is there an emergency PCC service?

No. There is no emergency PCC service, and applicants are advised to apply well in advance. PCC issuance depends on police verification from India, which has no fixed completion timeframe.

What is the India Police Clearance Certificate validity period?

No official fixed validity period is specified by the Indian government for a Police Clearance Certificate. Many receiving authorities set their own requirements for how recent a PCC must be. Applicants should check what the receiving country or employer requires and obtain a fresh PCC accordingly.

What documents are needed for an India PCC application?

The minimum documents are: original passport with a self-attested photocopy of the first two and last two pages including the ECR/Non-ECR page and any observation pages, plus proof of present address if the address differs from the passport. Workers going to ECR countries need additional documentation (see Special Cases above).

Can foreign nationals get a Police Clearance Certificate from India?

Foreign nationals residing in India can apply for a PCC, typically through their respective embassy or consulate. The required documents and process differ from those for Indian passport holders.

Related documents

• India Passport
• India Voter ID Card
• India PAN Card Online
• India Visa

Official sources

• HCI Kuala Lumpur — ICAO photograph guidelines PDF
• HCI Kuala Lumpur — PCC service page
• HCI Wellington — Police Clearance Certificate page
• Passport Seva — PCC application portal (error messages)
• Passport Seva — PCC Application Form Instructions PDF
• Passport Seva Hyderabad — PCC instructions PDF
• India Embassy Buenos Aires — Police Clearance Certificate
• CGI Atlanta — PCC page
• CGI Houston — PCC page
• CGI San Francisco — PCC for foreign nationals
• Goa Police — PCC FAQ
• West Bengal Police — PCC portal