Imagine this: you’ve landed your dream job abroad, your visa is approved, and everything seems perfect — until you realize you need to apply for a police clearance certificate. Suddenly, what should be a simple step feels overwhelming. You wonder: Where do I start? How long will it take? And most importantly, how do I ensure my application is flawless?
You’re not alone. Thousands of South Africans face this exact challenge every year. Fortunately, understanding the process and having the right guidance can make all the difference. This guide walks you through how to apply for police clearance certificate in South Africa, step by step, with insights from real applicants and professional tips to save time.
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS) that confirms whether you have a criminal record in the country. Think of it as a background check that proves your legal standing.
It’s commonly required for:
Employment, especially overseas
Immigration and visa applications
Volunteer programs or international study
Licensing and government permits
Without a PCC, many opportunities abroad can be delayed—or even denied. That’s why knowing exactly how to apply for police clearance certificate in South Africa is critical.
To apply for a police clearance, start by downloading the SAPS 91(a) Application Form from the official SAPS website.
It’s important to fill in the form correctly — even minor errors in your name, ID number, or date of birth can cause unnecessary delays.
Next, you’ll need to have your fingerprints taken for verification purposes. You can visit your nearest police station or a certified fingerprinting service.
To apply for a police clearance, you’ll need the following:
A certified copy of your South African ID or passport.
If you’re applying from outside South Africa, your embassy or consulate can assist with notarized copies.
Once your fingerprints and documents are ready, your full application must be submitted to the SAPS Criminal Record Centre in Pretoria. You can submit via courier, post, or in person.
Submission Address:
Bothongo Plaza West, CRC Client Service Centre
1st Floor, Room 14
271 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria
Make sure your submission includes:
The completed SAPS 91(a) form
Your fingerprints
A certified ID or passport copy
Proof of payment (R95.00)
The standard processing time to apply for a police clearance is approximately 14 working days, but this can vary depending on verification and volume.
Even though the process to apply for a police clearance seems straightforward, many applicants face delays due to small but critical mistakes. Here are some of the most common issues — and how to avoid them.
One of the main reasons for delayed processing is incomplete information or missing paperwork.
Tip: Before submitting your application, double-check that all sections of the SAPS 91(a) form are filled in correctly and that your certified ID or passport copy is attached.
Poor-quality or unclear fingerprints are another common cause of delays or rejections.
Tip: Always use professional fingerprinting services to ensure your prints are clear, accurate, and compliant with SAPS requirements.
If you’re applying from abroad, international postage times and embassy verification can slow things down.
Tip: Plan ahead and allow for extra time if you’re outside South Africa.
Take Thabo, for example — a South African professional who needed his police clearance for a work visa in Canada.
He submitted his documents on his own, without guidance, and waited weeks for any update. With his visa deadline approaching, he turned to Global Visa Management Group for help.
Our team immediately verified his documents, corrected the application errors, and tracked his PCC directly with SAPS. Thanks to this intervention, Thabo received his certificate in time — and didn’t miss his job opportunity abroad.
Applying for a Police Clearance Certificate doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of preparation — and the right support — you can avoid delays and get your certificate on time. Here are a few expert tips from our team at Global Visa Management:
Start Early: Begin your application well before you need your certificate, especially if it’s for travel, employment, or visa purposes.
Use Professional Fingerprinting Services: Smudged or faint fingerprints are one of the biggest reasons for rejection. Our mobile fingerprinting service ensures high-quality results every time.
Verify Every Document: Make sure your ID or passport copies are certified and that all forms are correctly filled out. Our team checks every detail to prevent costly resubmissions.
Keep Track of Your Application: Don’t leave it to chance. Global Visa Management tracks your submission directly with SAPS and keeps you informed at every stage.
Consider Expert Assistance: When you apply for a police clearance, having experienced professionals handle your paperwork, fingerprints, and courier submissions can save you both time and stress.
Applying for a Police Clearance Certificate in South Africa can be confusing — especially if you’re unsure about the paperwork, fingerprinting requirements, or submission process. At Global Visa Management, we make it simple, fast, and stress-free.
Our professional team handles everything for you — from accurate form completion to fingerprinting, courier submissions, and real-time tracking — ensuring your application is processed correctly the first time.
Here’s how we help you apply for a police clearance with ease:
We complete all the necessary forms accurately and in full compliance with SAPS (South African Police Service) requirements. This minimizes the risk of delays, errors, or rejections — giving you confidence that your application will move forward smoothly.
Before submission, we carefully verify and prepare all your supporting documents, ensuring they meet SAPS standards. Every detail — from ID copies to proof of payment — is double-checked to prevent any administrative setbacks.
💡 Tip: Small errors or missing documents can cause major delays. Our experts ensure your paperwork is flawless from the start.
No need to travel or wait in long queues — our mobile fingerprinting service brings convenience to your doorstep.
We’ll send a trained, certified team to your home or workplace to take your fingerprints using SAPS-compliant equipment. This ensures your prints are clear, legible, and properly formatted, reducing the risk of rejection or repeat submissions.
🚗 Available in major cities and surrounding areas across South Africa.
We handle the entire submission process from start to finish:
Secure courier delivery to SAPS headquarters
Confirmation of receipt at the Criminal Record Centre (CRC)
Regular follow-ups and status updates until your certificate is ready
With direct submission and tracking, you stay informed every step of the way.
Need your Police Clearance urgently? Our priority or expedited service fast-tracks your application — ensuring you receive your certificate within 3 to 7 working days.
We work directly with SAPS and courier partners to minimize waiting time, so you can move forward with your travel, employment, or visa applications without unnecessary delays.
If you’re based outside South Africa, we make it easy to apply for a police clearance remotely.
Our team assists with:
Document preparation and verification
Embassy authentication or legalization
Courier coordination and submission to SAPS
You’ll have full visibility into the process from anywhere in the world — with timely updates and reliable communication.
Contact us today to start your application or book a mobile fingerprinting appointment.
Let Global Visa Management handle the entire process — from fingerprints to final collection.
Global Visa Management Group is an internal managing company that assists with supplying services to our brands.
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