Police Clearance Certificate Sri Lanka – How to Apply
Applying for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in Sri Lanka? Here's the current procedure — where to go, what to bring, and whether you need to print anything beforehand.
Current procedure (as of September 2026)
For applicants currently in Sri Lanka, the Police Clearance Certificate is applied for in person at your local police station — not by downloading a form online. The station gives you the form, you fill it in there, and police staff enter your details into the online Police Clearance system themselves. If you're already living abroad, a separate online/embassy route applies — see "Already living abroad?" below.
Where do I apply?
At the police station for your area of residence — visit the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) in person.
What do I need to take?
Your NIC or passport, a Grama Niladhari certificate confirming your residence, and (if you have one) your birth certificate.
Do I need to print an application form first?
No. The police station gives you the form on arrival — there's nothing to download or print in advance.
What Is a Police Clearance Certificate?
A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is an official document issued by Sri Lanka Police confirming whether you have any recorded criminal history in Sri Lanka. It's one of the most commonly requested documents for people moving, working, or studying outside the country.
Who Needs a Police Clearance Certificate?
Anyone applying for foreign employment, a long-stay visa, immigration or permanent residency, some embassy processes, or certain professional licensing overseas typically needs a PCC — including people who are still in Sri Lanka at the time they apply, and Sri Lankans already living or working abroad who need to obtain or renew one.
How to Apply — Step by Step
This is the current in-person procedure for applicants who are in Sri Lanka. If you're already abroad, see the dedicated section further down.
Identify your local police station
Find the police station responsible for your current area of residence — applications are submitted to the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of that specific station, not any station of your choice.
Visit the station in person
Go to the station in person. There's no appointment system publicised for this — plan to visit during normal working hours.
Collect the application form at the station
Ask for the Police Clearance Certificate application form. It's provided to you at the counter — there's nothing to print or bring with you in advance.
Fill in the form at the station
Complete the form on the spot, providing your personal details and the reason you need the certificate (e.g. foreign employment, visa, immigration).
Submit your form and documents
Hand in the completed form together with your required documents — NIC or passport and your Grama Niladhari residence certificate — to police staff at the counter.
Staff enter your details into the online system
Police staff take the details from your physical form and submit your application through the computerised Police Clearance system on your behalf.
Application is processed and verified
Your application goes through the OIC's verification process. Sri Lanka Police's own information states this is generally completed within 48 hours following verification — but treat this as an estimate, not a guarantee, and confirm current timelines with your station.
Collect your certificate
Once processing is complete, your Police Clearance Certificate is issued. Ask the station what to expect for collection, since this can vary.
Documents You'll Need
Bring the originals (and be ready to leave a copy where relevant) — exact requirements can vary slightly by station, so treat this as a starting checklist, not a guarantee.
NIC or passport
Required — confirms your identity.
Grama Niladhari certificate confirming residence
Required per Sri Lanka Police's own published information — obtained from the Grama Niladhari of your area.
Birth certificate
Commonly requested as supporting identification — bring it if you have it available.
A short request letter stating your purpose
Not always compulsory, but many applicants prepare one explaining why they need the certificate (e.g. foreign employment, visa). PrintNow.lk can help you prepare and print this.
Application Form vs. Request Letter — What's the Difference?
Application Form
The application form is the official Sri Lanka Police document you fill in at the station itself — it's what's actually submitted into the Police Clearance system, and you cannot download or pre-fill it at home.
Police Clearance Request Letter
A request letter is a separate, short cover letter you write yourself explaining who you are and why you need the certificate (e.g. for a UAE work visa). It isn't the official application form, but many applicants bring one along to support their application. PrintNow.lk's free request letter tool helps you put one together.
Do I Need to Download the Application Form?
No — under the current procedure, the Police Clearance Certificate application form isn't available to download and isn't meant to be filled in at home. It's provided to you at the police station when you visit, and you complete it there in person. Trying to source or print an unofficial version of this form isn't necessary and could be inaccurate.
Police Clearance Request Letter
While the official application form is only available at the station, a request letter is something you can prepare in advance. It's a short, formal letter stating your details and the purpose of your application — useful to bring along, especially for foreign employment or visa purposes.
Police Clearance for Foreign Employment, Visas & Migration
A PCC is one of the standard documents required by many foreign employers, recruitment agencies, and embassies as part of visa, work-permit, or migration applications. If you're still in Sri Lanka, follow the in-person procedure above. If you're applying for permanent residency or citizenship abroad, check with that country's immigration authority for how recently your PCC needs to have been issued, since requirements vary by destination.
Already Living Abroad? (e.g. UAE and Other Countries)
If you're a Sri Lankan citizen already residing abroad — for example working in the UAE — you don't need to return to Sri Lanka in person. Per Sri Lanka Police's own published information, you can apply either online via police.lk → E-Services → Clearance Certificates, or through your nearest Sri Lankan Embassy or High Commission. You'll need to provide your relevant police division, a contact telephone number, and an email address.
- Fee
- Rs. 5,100 (for citizens residing abroad, per Sri Lanka Police's published fee)
- Processing
- Generally issued within 14 days of payment being received, per Sri Lanka Police's published information — treat this as an estimate and verify current timelines directly. Amendments to an issued certificate can be requested within 72 hours through the Police Clearance Division.
Fees, Processing Time & Status Checking
Local, in-person route
For local, in-person applicants, no fee is published on Sri Lanka Police's official information page for this route. Requirements and any applicable fee can change — confirm the current amount directly with your police station before applying.
Processing time
Sri Lanka Police's own information states that OIC processing is generally completed within 48 hours following verification. Real-world experience can vary from this — treat it as an estimate, not a guarantee, and confirm with your station.
Checking status
For the online/embassy route (already living abroad), status and amendment requests are handled through the Police Clearance Division. For the local in-person route, ask your station directly for the best way to check on your application's progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sri Lanka Police Information
Everything on this page is based on Sri Lanka Police's own published guidance on obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate. Procedures, documents, and fees can change — always check the official page before applying.
Official Sri Lanka Police Information — "Obtaining Police Clearance Certificates"PrintNow.lk is a private printing and document-preparation service. We are not Sri Lanka Police and are not government-affiliated — we help you prepare, print, and organise the documents around your own application.
Related Government Forms & Printing
PrintNow.lk also prints supporting documents for your Police Clearance application — copies of your NIC/passport, your application summary, or your request letter. Browse our full Government Forms hub, or see our dedicated Police Clearance Certificate printing page.
Source: Sri Lanka Police — Obtaining Police Clearance Certificates · Last checked September 2026. https://printnow.lk/police-clearance-sri-lanka