In short: Apply online at pcc.police.gov.bd, pay BDT 500, allow 7–15 working days — and time it for six to eight weeks before the visa file goes in, because embassies treat a PCC older than three to six months as stale. No agent, no "speed money".
Proof of a clean criminal record is now a routine part of a European student visa file — mandatory in Hungary's residence permit application, requested by many other missions case by case. The good news is that Bangladesh has made this one of the easiest documents to obtain, provided you get the timing right.
What it is, and who issues it
The police clearance certificate is issued by Bangladesh Police and confirms you have no criminal record. It is used for study, work and immigration abroad. Verification runs through the police station covering the address on your passport.
Applying online, step by step
- 1Create an account at pcc.police.gov.bd — name, mobile number and national ID.
- 2Verify the account by SMS from the registered mobile.
- 3Complete the application, entering passport details exactly as they appear in the passport.
- 4Upload an attested scan of the passport's bio and address pages (attestation by a first-class gazetted officer).
- 5Pay the BDT 500 fee online — mobile banking, card or challan.
- 6Track the application; after the police station's verification, the certificate is available online.
There is no role for an agent. Anyone offering to "arrange" a PCC for a fee is selling an unnecessary intermediary.
Timing: the part everyone gets wrong
Two opposite mistakes:
- Too early. Embassies typically accept a PCC that is no more than three to six months old. One obtained in January is often rejected for an August file — and you start again.
- Too late. If verification snags (address not matching, the officer on leave), the 15 working days become four weeks, and the visa appointment slips.
The right moment: count back six to eight weeks from your target visa-submission date, and apply then.
What gets applications stuck
- 1Name spelling that differs from the passport — the PCC follows the passport; if your national ID spells it differently, use the passport's spelling on the form.
- 2Current address versus passport address — verification happens at the police station for the address you give; if nobody there knows you, expect delay.
- 3Uploading an un-attested passport copy.
- 4Applying on an old or expired passport when a new one has been issued — use the new one.
After the PCC: attestation
Depending on the destination, the PCC may itself need attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or an apostille — particularly for residence-permit-style applications such as Hungary's. The attestation and apostille guide explains which document needs what.
Quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Fee | BDT 500 (government fee) |
| Time | 7–15 working days |
| Where | pcc.police.gov.bd — fully online |
| Needed | Valid passport (attested copy), national ID, mobile number |
| Accepted age | Three to six months, depending on the embassy |
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
Is a police clearance certificate mandatory for a European student visa?+
It depends on the country. Hungary's student residence permit file requires proof of no criminal record, and many other missions ask for a PCC either routinely or case by case — Cyprus, Malta, Greece and Bulgaria commonly list it. Check your destination's current checklist on the official mission or VFS page; when in doubt, obtaining one is cheap insurance at BDT 500.
Do I have to visit a police station?+
Normally not — in 2026 the process is fully online. As part of verification the police station covering the address on your application may telephone you or check the address, so it matters that you are actually known at that address.
How long is a PCC valid?+
The certificate carries no printed expiry, but embassies generally will not accept one older than three to six months. That is why the best time to apply is six to eight weeks before your visa submission date — a certificate from January is often useless for an August file.
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