You may need a China Police Clearance Certificate abroad to prove that you have no conviction in China. You may need it for many reasons, including permanent residence, citizenship, school enrollment, work visa, or international adoption.
A China Police Certificate, sometimes referred to as a Police Clearance Certificate, Good Conduct Certificate, Police Check, or Criminal Background Check. The data of the convictions comes from the Public Security Bureau (PSB), normally issued by the PSB where you have lived for over 6 months.
You may apply for a Police Clearance Certificate by going to the PSB either by yourself or authorizing someone to submit in person. Online submission to the Public Security Bureau (PSB) is not implemented so far. You cannot submit applications online. Passports and Tempory residence registration (TRRF) are needed for request of Police Certificate. Fingerprints are not required. A letter of authorization is needed when a third party is invloved.
Who Needs a China Police Clearance Certificate?
If you are at least 16 years old, you must submit a Police Certificate either from your country of nationality, or country of your residence where you have lived for over 6 months.
You may need the Police Check for reasons such as
▸ A work visa, permanent residency, or citizenship application in countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, or France.
▸ Professionals or volunteers working with vulnerable groups (e.g., children, elderly individuals, or medical patients) may be required by employer or volunteer organization to present a China non-criminal record check.
Sample of Shanghai Police Clearance Certificate
China Police Certificate
Who is eligible to apply for a China Police Certificate?
Individuals are eligible to apply for a China Police Check when they have continuously resided in China for 6 months or longer. This typically includes long-term visas/residence permits holders (e.g., Z Work Visa, X1 Student Visa, J1 Journalist Visa).Those with cumulative 6+ months residency under short-term visas are not eligible to apply.
Key Notes on the 6-Month Requirement:
The duration may be met through accumulated or continuous residence (total 6+ months) under a long-term residence permit.
A short-term visa only allows less than 6 months’ residence, so continuous residence under a short-term visa is usually not possible.
Chinese visas fall into two categories: short-term visas and long-term visas. The short-term visas and long-term visas are further divided into specific types, as indicated below.
Long-term Visas
- Work Visa（Z）
- Student Visa（X1）
- Family/Personal Visit Visa（Q1）
- Relatives of Foreigners（S1）
- Journalist Visa（J1）
Short-term Visas
- Tourist Visa（L）
- Student Visa（X2）
- Family/Personal Visit Visa（Q2）
- Relatives of Foreigners（S2）
- Journalist Visa（J2）
- Non-commercial Visit Visa（F）
- Business Visa（M）
- Crew-member Visa（C）
- Transit Visa（G）
Who issues a China Police Certificate?
In accordance with the policy “Provisions on The Investigation of Criminal Records by Public Security Organs” (effective December 31, 2021), for those lived in China for more than 6 months and require a Non-Criminal Record Certificate must apply through the Exit-entry Administration Bureau of their local Municipal Public Security Bureau. Policy of China Public Security Ministry
Steps to apply for a China Police Certificate
▸ The Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Public Security Bureau conducts criminal background checks and issues China Police Clearance Certificate upon request.
▸ Once issued, the Police Certificate must be submitted to the local Notary Public Office for a notarial certificate of non-criminal record.
Cases China Police Clearance Certificate is unobtainable
There are cases that China Police Certificate/Non-Criminal Record Certificate is unobtainable. You may be unable to obtain the China Police Certificate/Non-Criminal Record Certificate if:
▸ You have a criminal record in China.
▸ You stay in China on a tourist visa, business visa, or study visa (X2) for less than 6 months; or your residence was not continuous for 6 months.
▸ You failed to complete temporary residence registration during your stay in China.
Solutions if China Police Clearance Certificate is unobtainable
Sometimes, China Police Certificate is unobtainable for some reasons, especially for those with short-term visa in China, they need to submit a letter explaining why this document was unobtainable. Some immigration/employment authorities in foreign countries may grant an exemption of the submission of overseas police certificate.
To apply for exemption, we can provide a declaration letter issued by our company explaining why your China police certificate is unobtainable, the policy related would be enclosed as attachment of the unobtainable statement. Statement written like:
“We, Aofan Consulting hereby state that a China police certificate is unobtainable for XXX due to [insert reason].”
Processing time for applying for China Police Certificate
2-3 weeks excluding mailing time.
Required documents for a China Police Clearance Certificate
To apply for a China Police Certificate pleasefill out the questionnaire and send scanned copy of documents listed below to info@intrz.com.
1. Scanned copies of passport pages
Please provide scan copy of the photo page, the pages with China visa, the pages with a Chinese residence permit and the pages with China exit-entry stamps. (See photo page sample)(See China visa sample) (See residence permit sample)
2. Scanned copy of the temporary residence registration form (TRRF).（See sample）
3. Scanned copies of employment or school enrollment proof in China
▸ For employment: Scanned copy of your work permit and employment contract. (Sample old version | new version）
▸ For education: Scanned copy of your diploma, degree certificate, or official enrollment letter.
4. Power of Attorney (POA)
If you cannot submit documents in person, a Power of Attorney (POA) to nominate a representative request on your behalf is required. The sample of POA is as follows:
I, hereby authorize the following representative to request Criminal Record and the notarization inside the P.R.C. on my behalf.
5. Letter of Good Conduct (if applicable)
Some cities may require a letter of good conduct from your employer or school confirming that they were not informed that you had committed any criminal offences during your stay.
6. Completed questionnaire.
Please fill out the questionnaire and send it to info@intrz.com. Questions mainly include:
▸ Purpose of the certificate (e.g., work visa, immigration, permanent residency).
▸ Specific cities of your residence in China.
▸ Detailed Time period of your residence in China. For example, from 12th Jun 2009 to 8th Sept 2015, then we need to see your entry stamp (red elliptical stamp) as 12th Jun 2009, and your exit stamp (red rectangle stamp)as 8th Sept 2015 on your passport, and we need those entry/exit scan copy.
▸ School details include school name and compus (if on a student visa).
Documents Guidelines for a China Police Certificate Request
Email scanned copy of above-mentioned documents to info@intrz.com as attachments. Remember to fill out the questionnaire.
Scan requirements
▸ Use a scanner or mobile scanning app (e.g., Cam Scanner).
▸ Minimum resolution: 200 dpi.
▸ Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG.
Can a representative apply on your behalf?
Most Chinese cities allow a representative to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate on behalf of applicants. Applicants need to provide an authorization letter to nominate a representative to apply for a Non-Criminal Record Certificate.
The requirements for authorization letter vary from city to city.
Requirements for Authorization letter:
▸ Some cities accept a scanned signed copy.
▸ Some require the original signed letter. No need to get it notarized or apostilled.
▸ Others require an authorization letter notarized and apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your residing country.
China Police certificates and IRCC requirements
A police certificate is required when applying for permanent residence, citizenship, or certain temporary residence programs in Canada. For expats who have resided in China, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will request Chinese police clearance certificate after you submit your Canadian residency application.
How to Apply?
The process for obtaining a China Police Certificate varies by city. Applicants may apply in person or authorize a representative to act on their behalf.
Once obtained the China Police Check issued by a Chinese notary public office, a clear scanned copies of the original Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Record along with its officially notarized translation must be submitted for your Canada residency application.
Special Case: Partial Coverage
If your police certificate does not cover the full duration of your residence in China (e.g., missing years/provinces) for a specific reason, you must:
▸ Submit the available certificate(s) for the periods/locations covered.
▸ Include a written statement addressing the unverified timeframe(s) with the following exact phrase:
“I am unable to provide a police certificate covering my complete residency period in China due to [insert reason].”
Note: The stated reason will be evaluated, and a determination will be made on its relevance to the missing documentation or required documents or information.
FAQ on China Police Certificate
There is no set period for which China Police Certificate is valid. It is at the discretion of local government officials to determine whether the police certificate is current for their purposes.
▸ Most Embassies, High Commissions, Consulates, or other authorities (e.g., for visas or residency applications) typically require the certificate to be issued within 6 months of submission.
▸ Some countries will only accept a Police Certificate that is less than one month old. Please check with the relevant authority before making an application.
No, to maintain the privacy of applicants, the local police station or notary public office cannot disclose any information about a person’s Criminal Record by phone or email, they can only provide general information.
Requirements vary by jurisdiction in China. Some cities may accept copy of passport, while others only accept the original passport for request of China Police Certificate. Please check with the relevant Exit-entry Administration Bureau of Public Security Bureau before making an application.
All expats should go to the local police station to register your residence upon your arrival within 24 hours. This procedure is called temporary residence registration. When you register your residence, you should be given a temporary residence registration form (TRRF).
While a previous passport used during your stay in China is typically required, you may still apply in certain circumstances：
Provide a written declaration explaining the loss (e.g., theft, misplacement), including:
▸ The reason for the loss (e.g., theft, misplacement)
▸ Passport issuance and expiration dates
▸ Exact date and circumstances of the loss
▸ Police report case number (if filed)
A Chinese Police certificate is an official document issued by Chinese authorities confirming that you have no criminal convictions during your stay in China.
To obtain a Chinese Police Certificate, follow these steps:
▸ Apply for China Police Check at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau under your local Public Security Bureau (PSB).
▸ Submit the Police Clearance Certificate to a Notary Public Office in China for official notarization and translation. The Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Record (公证书) is the only version accepted by receiving authorities.
Under current regulations:
▸ You must apply in the city where your residence permit was issued (Shanghai).
▸ However, since you resided in Beijing without a Shanghai-registered address, you may face eligibility conflicts. Contact both cities’ authorities for guidance.
We can help you obtain a police certificate in following cities in China:
Is the city you are looking for not on the list? Contact us at info@intrz.com to find out if we can help you further.
Our all-encompassing service includes:
1. Apply for a Criminal Background Check on your behalf.
2. Have your document notarized by the Notary Public, apostilled or authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and legalized by the Foreign Embassy in China.
3. We have helped thousands of clients apply for the notarized certificate. Using our service gives you complete peace of mind and ensures that you get what you need in time you require in a timescale to suit your needs. Our staff are in constant contact with the government department, and as such are fully aware of the steps required to ensure that your application goes smoothly.
Why choose us?
▸ You do not need to apply in person. You just need to send us all scanned documents. We will handle the entire application process for your Police Clearance Certificate/Non-Criminal Record Certificate on your behalf.
▸ If you have residence permit for work, study, or family reunion in China, we can help you apply for the China Police Clearance Certificate/Non-Criminal Record Certificate covering your entire residency period in the country.
▸ We manage every step—including translation, notarization, authentication by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and legalization at foreign embassies or consulates in China—to streamline the process and save you time.
How do I get a Police Certificate from China?
Follow these steps to apply:
1. Please download the Questionnaire. Send the Questionnaire and scan copy of the required (see Required Documents) to info@intrz.com.
2. We reply to you with the quotation and the required supplementary supporting documents.
3. We prepare the contract for you after receiving all the required documents.
4. You sign and send back the scan copy of contract and make the deposit.
5. We start to process the documents.
6. We send the scan copy of Beijing Police Clearance Certificate/Non-Criminal Record Certificate to you, and you pay the remaining balance.
7. We mail Beijing Police Clearance Certificate/Non-Criminal Record Certificate to you.