Your green card case is moving to the National Visa Center, or you're applying for permanent residence in another country, and the checklist asks for a police certificate from India. You live in the US. How do you get one?
As of November 2, 2026, here's who needs it and how Indian missions in the US issue it.
- Indian missions issue PCCs for residence, employment, long-term visas or immigration, not tourist visas.
- You apply online, then submit documents and fees to VFS Global.
- Immigrant visa applicants 16 or older need a police certificate from their country of nationality if they lived there six months.
- Police certificates are valid for two years for US immigrant visa purposes.
- I-485 applicants submit police and court records only for arrests, charges or convictions.
- The Washington embassy lists a PCC fee of $40 plus a $2 ICWF fee, excluding VFS's fee.
Who needs an Indian PCC?
Mostly people immigrating somewhere through a consulate. The State Department's manual says an immigrant visa applicant "16 or older must present an original or certified police certificate for" their "country of nationality, if they have lived in that country at least six months at any time," and their "country of current residence if they have lived in that country at least six months" (9 FAM 504.4-4(B)).
For an Indian citizen going through consular processing, that usually means an Indian PCC, plus police certificates from other countries where you lived "for one year or more since attaining the age of 16." Our guide to NVC consular processing steps covers the rest of that process.
What if you're filing an I-485 in the US?
The requirement is different. The I-485 instructions ask for "certified police and court records for any criminal charges, arrests, or convictions you may have" (USCIS, Instructions for Form I-485). They don't ask every applicant for a foreign PCC. Our guide to adjustment vs consular processing compares the two routes.
How long is a PCC valid?
For a US immigrant visa, two years. The manual says "police certificates are valid for two years from the date of their issuance," and that officers "may request updated police certificates if there is a concern that an individual has a more recent police record" (9 FAM 504.4-4). Other countries set their own rules.
Who can get an Indian PCC?
Indian passport holders with a qualifying purpose. The Embassy of India in Washington says a PCC "is issued to Indian Passport holders in case they have applied for Residential Status, Employment or Long-term visa or for immigration. PCC cannot be issued for persons going abroad on Tourist Visa" (Embassy of India, PCC for Indian Nationals).
How do you apply?
The same three steps Indian missions use for passports:
- Online application on the Passport Seva portal for missions. The embassy says to "create a new user account on the Passport Seva Portal before filling out any application (using a new email address)," then "Note down the ARN (Application Reference Number)."
- Supporting documents, from VFS Global's PCC checklist.
- Submit to VFS Global, in person or by courier.
"If any documents are missing, VFS Global will notify the applicant by email. The applicant must submit the requested documents within 21 business days. Failure to do so will result in rejection of the application" (Embassy of India, PCC for Indian Nationals).
The Washington embassy's fee schedule lists "PCC/GEP" at $40 plus a $2 ICWF fee, excluding VFS's service fee (Embassy of India, Passport Services). Each consulate covers its own states, so apply through the office for yours. Our guide to the I-485 covers the in-country route. Our guide to renewing an Indian passport in the US covers the same portal and VFS steps.
What this means for you
- Consular processing usually requires an Indian PCC.
- An I-485 filed in the US needs police records only for arrests or charges.
- PCCs are valid two years for US immigrant visas.
- Apply online, then through VFS Global.
- Supply missing documents within 21 business days.
Where to start
If you're choosing between consular processing and adjustment, or earlier in the process, our free evaluation at /evaluate/ checks whether EB-1A or the NIW fits your profile, and Frank, our AI assistant at /frank, helps you build the evidence. Petitions are reviewed and filed by our partner law firm, Lai & Turner.
Sources
All checked November 2, 2026.
- 9 FAM 504.4, Immigrant Visa Documents. Who needs police certificates; two-year validity.
- USCIS, Instructions for Form I-485 (09/18/26). Police and court records for arrests or charges.
- Embassy of India, Washington DC, PCC for Indian Nationals. Who can get a PCC; steps; 21 business days.
- Embassy of India, Washington DC, Passport Services. PCC fee.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an Indian PCC for my green card?
It depends on how you get the green card. If you go through a US consulate, the State Department's manual says applicants 16 or older need a police certificate from their country of nationality if they lived there at least six months. If you adjust status in the US on Form I-485, the instructions ask for police and court records only if you've been arrested, charged or convicted.
How do I get an Indian PCC while living in the US?
Apply online on the Passport Seva portal for missions, prepare the documents on VFS Global's checklist, and submit them to VFS Global in person or by courier. The Embassy of India in Washington says to create a new portal account and choose the right consular jurisdiction for your state.
How long is a police certificate valid for a US immigrant visa?
The State Department's manual says police certificates are valid for two years from the date they're issued. It also says the consulate may ask for an updated certificate if there's a concern about a more recent record. Time your request so it's still valid at your interview.
Can I get an Indian PCC for a tourist visa to another country?
No. The Embassy of India in Washington says PCCs are issued to Indian passport holders who've applied for residential status, employment, a long-term visa or immigration, and cannot be issued for people going abroad on a tourist visa.
How much does an Indian PCC cost in the US?
The Embassy of India in Washington lists $40 plus a $2 ICWF fee, or $42, excluding VFS Global's service fee. Other consulates handle their own jurisdictions, so check the page for your state. If documents are missing, you have 21 business days to supply them.
Green Card Guide AI is not a law firm and this article is not legal advice. It describes evidence-building strategy in general terms; your attorney determines what belongs in your petition and how it's argued.
