Obtaining China Police Clearance Certificates: A Complete Guide for Former Residents

What Is a China Police Clearance Certificate?

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) — officially called a "No Criminal Record Certificate" (无犯罪记录证明) — is an official document issued by the Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) confirming that an individual has no criminal record during their period of residence in China.

This document is required for:

• Work permit applications in Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and other countries
• Permanent residency applications
• Professional license renewals
• Immigration and citizenship processes

Eligibility Requirements

To obtain a China PCC, the applicant must provide:

1. Proof of time spent living in China — rental contracts, employer letters, or residence permits showing the specific period of residence

2. Copy of the valid visa held during the residence period — work visa (Z), business visa (M), or other long-term visa categories

3. Residence permit proof — the residence permit sticker or registration certificate issued by local police

4. Current passport copy and contact information

Important: Tourist visa (L) holders generally cannot obtain a PCC unless they can demonstrate long-term residence under exceptional circumstances. The PSB requires evidence of stable, legal residence.

City-Specific Procedures

Beijing

• Issuing authority: Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau (北京市公安局)
• Processing time: 15–20 working days
• Application method: In-person at the PSB exit-entry administration; or through an authorized representative with power of attorney
• Special requirements: Original passport with residence permit records; employer separation letter if applicable

Shanghai

• Issuing authority: Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau (上海市公安局)
• Processing time: 10–15 working days
• Application method: Online pre-application through "随申办" app, then in-person verification
• Special requirements: Shanghai residence permit history must show continuous residence; gaps exceeding 30 days may require explanation

Shenzhen

• Issuing authority: Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau (深圳市公安局)
• Processing time: 10–15 working days
• Application method: In-person at the Futian or Nanshan PSB exit-entry office
• Special requirements: Shenzhen-issued residence permit required; documents from other Guangdong cities are processed separately

Other Cities

Processing availability varies significantly by city. Tier-2 cities (Hangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, Wuhan) generally offer PCC services, while smaller cities may have limited experience processing requests for foreign nationals. Contact us to confirm eligibility for your specific city.

The Four-Step Process

Step 1: Document Preparation

Gather all required documents proving residence, visa status, and identity. Hive Digital provides a document checklist tailored to your specific city and residence period.

Step 2: PSB Application Submission

Submit the application to the relevant PSB exit-entry administration office. For applicants no longer in China, Hive Digital acts as an authorized representative with full power of attorney to submit on your behalf.

Step 3: Certificate Collection

Once issued, the PCC must be collected in person (or by an authorized representative). The certificate is typically valid for 6 months from the date of issuance.

Step 4: Notarization and Translation

For international use, the PCC must be:

1. Notarized by a Chinese notary public office

2. Authenticated by the Chinese Foreign Affairs Office

3. Legalized by the destination country's embassy (pre-Sept 2026 for Vietnam)

4. Translated into the destination country's language with notarized certification

Hive Digital manages steps 2–4 as an integrated service, ensuring the authenticated PCC is delivered directly to your destination country.

Common Challenges

Residence Period Gaps: If you changed employers or had gaps between residence permits, the PSB may request additional documentation explaining the gap. Employment contracts and temporary residence registrations can help bridge these gaps.

Name Discrepancies: If your passport was renewed during your China residence period and the passport number changed, provide both old and new passports with a written explanation of the change.

Employer No Longer Exists: If your previous employer has closed or relocated, provide the employer's former business license number (if available) and any employment documentation you retained. The PSB can often verify employment records independently.

Timeline Summary

Hive Digital's China PCC Service

Hive Digital provides comprehensive China PCC acquisition services:

• Eligibility assessment for your specific city and residence history
• Document preparation and checklist guidance
• Authorized representative submission (for applicants outside China)
• Notarization and authentication coordination
• Embassy legalization at the destination country's diplomatic mission
• Certified translation into Vietnamese, English, Korean, Japanese, or other languages
• Secure delivery to your destination country

Contact our China team to initiate your PCC application. We typically respond within 2 hours on WeCom/WeChat.