Police Clearance Certificate/PCC Apostille for Switzerland in India
If you are planning to visit Switzerland for employment, studies, long-term stay, or migration purposes, you may need to submit a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) duly apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. In Switzerland, this document is commonly referred to as a No Criminal Record Certificate or Certificate of Good Conduct, and apostille is mandatory for its acceptance under The Hague Apostille Convention.
This page provides a complete guide on the PCC Apostille process for Switzerland in India, including who issues the PCC, the procedures for apostille, the timeframe involved, and the required documents.
________________________________________Who Issues Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India?
The Police Clearance Certificate can be issued by multiple authorities depending on your case:
1. Local Police Station – Two formats are available:
o Online PCC with QR code
o Manual PCC (printed and signed)
2. FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) – For individuals involved in immigration-related cases.
3. Regional Passport Office (RPO) – A common and widely accepted PCC.
4. Indian Diplomatic Mission / Indian High Commission abroad – For Indian citizens residing outside India.
Apostille Requirement for PCC for Switzerland
• PCC from RPO or Indian High Commission abroad o Apostilled directly by MEA. o No additional state-level attestation required. • PCC from Local Police Station or FRRO o Requires state or SDM level attestation first, before MEA apostille.
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Process for PCC Apostille in India
1. PCC Issued by Local Police Station or FRRO
There are two possible routes:
a) Primary Process (State Department Route)
1. Notary Attestation
2. Attestation from the State Home Department / GAD / Regional Attestation Center (RAC)
3. Apostille from MEA
Processing Time: 25–30 working days (depending on state verification requirements).
b) Secondary / Alternate Process (SDM Route)
1. Notary Attestation
2. Attestation from Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
3. Apostille from MEA
Processing Time: 3–4 working days (faster option where accepted).
Required Documents for PCC Apostille for Switzerland
• Original Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
• Copy of Passport (first and last page)
• Valid Photo ID proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence, etc.)
• Recent passport-size photographs (if required)
• Application form / authorization letter (for representative submission)
• Payment receipt (where applicable)
Note: If your PCC is issued online with a QR code, always include a printed version with the QR verification page.
Processing Time for PCC Apostille for Switzerland
The processing timeline for PCC Apostille for Switzerland in India depends mainly on the issuing authority of the Police Clearance Certificate.
If the PCC is issued by the Regional Passport Office (RPO) or an Indian Diplomatic Mission abroad, it is eligible for direct apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In this case, the process is straightforward and usually takes only 1–2 working days.
For PCC issued by a Local Police Station or FRRO through the primary process — which involves Notary attestation, followed by State Home Department or Regional Attestation Center attestation, and finally apostille from MEA — the processing time is longer and may take 25–30 working days. This delay is mainly due to state-level verification procedures.
As an alternative, applicants can choose the SDM route for Local Police or FRRO issued PCC. In this process, the document is attested by a Notary, then by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and finally apostilled by MEA. This method is significantly faster and usually takes just 3–4 working days.
_______________________________________FAQs on PCC Apostille for Switzerland
Q1. Can online PCC (with QR code) be apostilled for Switzerland?
Yes. Online PCC with QR code is accepted for apostille if verification is successful.
Q2. Why does the timeframe vary for PCC apostille?
Because some states require manual verification at the Home Department, while the SDM route is much faster.
If your PCC is issued by the Passport Office or Indian High Commission, apostille is done in 1–2 days. For local police/FRRO PCC, the SDM route is faster (3–4 days). ________________________________________
Conclusion of PCC Apostille for Switzerland
Obtaining a PCC Apostille for Switzerland in India depends on where your Police Clearance Certificate has been issued. PCCs from the RPO or Indian Mission are processed directly by MEA in 1–2 days, while PCCs from Local Police or FRRO require either state or SDM attestation before apostille. Choosing the right route and preparing documents in advance ensures timely completion and hassle-free acceptance in Switzerland.
If you need professional assistance in obtaining your Police Clearance Certificate Apostille for Switzerland, experts can help you with end-to-end documentation and faster processing.