GETTING INDIAN PCC FROM VANCOUVER FOR INDIAN CITIZENS

[viveksharma]

Dear Friends,
I recently applied for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) at Vancouver BLS Office. There were few confusion when I was applying for it. But, now that my application has been successful, I thought of sharing the process with our community here.
1. Selecting the right application form: BLS website is confusing as far as PCC application is concerned. There are two sets of PCC application forms – one under “Requirement” tab and another under “Forms/ Checklist” tab. The application set under “Requirement” tab is the older set and do not use that. The latest is under “Forms/Checklist” tab. This is the link if you want to see both tabs:
http://www.blsindia-canada.com/pol_clr_cert.php

Click “Forms/ Checklist” tab to get the latest application set for PCC

2. If you see the first point of the PCC Checklist, then following two forms are required:
a. PCC form
b. Personal Particular form ( mentions 5 copies, but only 2 copies are required)

3. The PCC checklist mentions four (6) photographs of 35mm by 35 mm. Now do we need to get 4 or 6 photographs? Haha. Turns out you need 3 photographs ( one to be pasted on PCC form and one each on Personal particular form which is to be submitted in duplicate)

4. I think everyone knows that we will have to submit our original passport

5. Take current address proof document (your BC Services card or BC Hydro bill or rental agreement. But, prefer any one from first two). The lady there asked me to furnish address proof document and I told that it’s not mentioned in the check list. Then she told me that BLS needs to get the checklist updated. (Then get it updated what are you waiting for morons!!) Luckily, I had a print out of my BC Hydro bill in my bag.

6. They will charge CAD 19.05 for courier charges even if you tell them that you would come and pick-up the PCC and Passport personally. This is their way of making quick bucks by cheating us. I request you all to make enough noise there at the BLS office on this. Send mail to Ministry of External Affairs regarding BLS’ exploitation and also #tag Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Twitter. BLS would listen only if we all make enough noise

7. If you have old expired PCC, attach it along with your application. I have heard that this expedites the process. I attached one and the very next day after submission my status changed to " in transit from consulate general to BLS office". Not sure, how much the old PCC helped.

8. They have photocopying facility at the center but better come prepared because they will charge you 50 cents for each copy

9. Contrary to the passport photo facility mentioned at the website, I did not see any. So better bring your own set of passport photos and do not bank on BLS guys.

10. BLS guys talk politely and that is one of the saving graces

11. Few points on how to fill Personal Particulars Form

a. Point 8b – provide your current Canadian address
b. It’s okay to provide Indian address in point 9
c. You can provide details of your friends in India in point 10. BLS staff told me that you can even provide details of friends who do not reside in your locality. Not sure how far it’s true. I provided the address of my acquaintances who reside in the same locality though.

Hope it would help

 

[BeePat]

Hi,

I just wanted to thank you or your detailed post!
It was extremely helpful. I followed the process as you had mentioned and did not have any issues with my PCC application.

Thanks again for your help!!