“I thought applying for my UK visa was the hard part… until they asked for a police clearance. I had no idea where to start.”
That’s something we hear a lot. In fact, one of our recent clients—a South African teacher heading to the UAE—had everything ready: job offer, documents, flights. But her visa stalled because her Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) was delayed. She contacted us in a panic, worried she’d lose the opportunity. Within days, we fast-tracked her fingerprints, submitted the application, and got her clearance processed in record time.
At Global Visa Management, we’ve helped thousands of clients get their police clearances sorted—quickly, correctly, and without the stress. Whether you’re applying locally or abroad, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
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. It’s required for many official processes, especially when applying for:
The PCC is a critical piece of documentation. Without it, many applications get delayed—or rejected.
We handle all of this for you—so your certificate is 100% compliant with your visa or legal requirements.
Here’s how the standard process works (and where it can go wrong if you’re not careful):
You’ll need to visit a police station or certified fingerprint technician. Your prints must be captured on a SAPS 91(a) form or via digital capture.
Include your full legal details and passport or ID number. Add your intended use (e.g., visa application, immigration, employment).
Applications can be delivered by post or hand—but mail delays are common.
Timelines vary. SAPS estimates 6–8 weeks, but with our priority service, we get results within 5 -7 working days.
Applying for a police clearance through SAPS can take 6-8 weeks if you go the standard route. Even longer if there are issues with fingerprints or documentation.
That’s why using a professional service helps cut out the guesswork and avoid costly mistakes.
If your visa or job deadline is around the corner, let us know. We offer urgent processing options and can guide you through expedited channels.
Note: While no one can “guarantee” a police clearance in a fixed number of days, we can reduce avoidable delays and get priority handling wherever possible.
If you’re a foreign national who’s lived in South Africa, or a South African needing a clearance from another country (like the US, UK, or Canada), things get even more complex. Here’s how we help with international police clearances:
We assist with FBI fingerprinting, channeler submission, and Apostille/Attestation for use in visa and immigration processes.
We guide you through online submission, ID verification, and can assist with expedited courier delivery to embassies.
We help with digital fingerprints and submission to approved processing centres.
Every country has its own rules—and we’re familiar with all of them. Whether it's getting a South African PCC while abroad or handling dual clearance, we simplify the entire process.
We know how important timing is. A delayed PCC can derail job offers, immigration applications, or visa interviews. That’s why we’ve built a reliable, efficient, and people-first service that puts your goals front and centre.
We hand-deliver documents to SAPS, follow up weekly, and escalate delays
Need it for use in Germany, the UAE, or Canada? We handle the legalisation through DIRCO, the High Court, or embassy attestation.
In Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, we offer mobile fingerprint appointments or link you with trusted partners.
Applying from abroad? No problem. We handle international submissions, collect documents on your behalf, and courier them wherever you are.
We recently helped a South African engineer working in Saudi Arabia. His employer needed an apostilled police clearance—within a week. He couldn’t travel home, and SAPS was backlogged.
Our team arranged express fingerprinting through an embassy partner, submitted everything via our Pretoria office, and processed both the PCC and apostille in 7 working days. His visa was approved, and he didn’t lose his contract. It’s stories like these that remind us why we do what we do.
Find quick answers to common queries about our services, processing times, and how we can assist you with your visa and document needs.
Yes! We can collect your fingerprints abroad, complete your SAPS submission, and courier your certificate to you or your embassy.
You can still apply. If the record is outdated, we can assist with the expungement process. Once it’s cleared, we help you reapply for a clean certificate.
Most embassies require PCCs dated within the last 3–6 months. Some are stricter, depending on the visa type.
Whether you’re moving abroad, applying for work, or reuniting with family, getting your Police Clearance Certificate shouldn’t hold you back. Let Global Visa Management handle the process—accurately, professionally, and with heart.
Global Visa Management Group is an internal managing company that assists with supplying services to our brands.
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