If you are planning to travel abroad for a job or studies, a certificate that implies that you do not have a criminal record in your country of origin, known as the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) may be needed. To get a PCC for the people of Malawi or anyone who has been living in this country, at times it may feel really challenging, if they are planning to do so while living in another country. Below is a step by step guide on how to obtain PCC from Malawi with detailed information on why employing a private legal agency can help you in getting the same in the best possible manner.

What Does a Police Clearance Certificate from Malawi Mean?

Police Clearance Certificate is a legal document, consisting of clear indication that an individual has no criminal records in Malawi or it shows details of all the criminal records of a person in Malawi. This is usually presented as part of the international visa, overseas employment, or immigration process to verify the subject’s good behavior.

Malawian PCC – How to get it?

Let’s break down the process into clear, manageable steps:

Gather Required Documents: First of all, you must gather all documents that are necessary for the work. Typically, you’ll need:

• A valid passport or a national Identification document
• PCC application form
• Recent passport-sized photos
• Fingerprints which have been rolled and via an inkless fingerprint using an official fingerprint form
• Any cost likely to be incurred when processing or issuing the said PCC payment for the fees will be made.

Before applying consult country specific requirements in case you are applying from a country other than Malawi.

Get Fingerprints Taken: Fingerprints are a noble component of the application since Malawian Police Service needs such information to identify your personality and criminal records. Your fingerprints can be taken at a police station, an approved agency or a private service if one is out of the country.

Submit Your Application: This application, accompanied by your fingerprints and other relevant documents, has to be submitted to the Malawian police service. In case you are an applicant from another region, it may be necessary to post your documents and sometimes, the application procedure can be arranged by an accredited agency.

Processing and Waiting Time: Upon receipt of the application the process involves going through it by the Malawian Police Service. In the concerned step, the time frame might also differ and can take several weeks to a few months depending on the backlogs or further verifications which may be required at time. You may be able to track your application, but it can be quite a daunting task if you do not have support on the ground.

Receive Your PCC: Should you fail to receive the document after the PCC is processed, it is sent via mail or courier. If you applied through an agency they will deliver it safely to make sure that your PCC gets to you safely.

Why Use a Private Authorized Agency?

Although it is easy to go through the PCC process without the assistance of a PA, engaging the services of a private authorized agency comes with some benefits especially to applicants in other countries other than Malawi. Here’s why working with an agency can make a real difference.

Time and Stress Savings: Having worked with an authorized agency to apply for PCC, you avoid the traps that come with an incomplete or wrong filled document. This way, they handle the paperwork leaving clients with no need to worry about the various concerns and the resulting delay due to missing or wrongly completed forms.

Local Knowledge and Expertise: Such agencies that have previously worked on Malawian PCC applications are knowledgeable about the requirements in that country and bow the police clearance system functions. They know precisely what is required—for efficiency, and to guarantee compliance with the proper procedures to pass application.

Reliable Communication and Updates: Whenever the PCC has been applied from outside, then there is always the challenge of frequent updates. Some agencies need constant follow-ups and chasing of emails; thus, you want an efficient and reliable agency that can inform you through updates of your application status for you to follow up with the Malawian Police Service.

Reduced Risk of Errors: This is an area where if you make a simple mistake when completing the PCC application, you will end up facing some problems that include getting your application delayed, rejected among others. Agencies have knowledge of such specifications and thus, will go through the course of filling this application without a hitch. This saves you the grueling of submitting documents for approval only to be told to resubmit or spend time altering a document.

Secure and Convenient Document Handling: The process of sending out documents, especially when the application is being made from another country can be both dangerous and expensive. State and local authorities are capable of providing you with delivery of fingerprints, photos, and even the PCC in a secure and timely manner for a fee. Some agencies also provide delivery tracking, so you don’t have to keep guessing where your PCC is headed to.

Special Assistance for Overseas Applicants: As for the PCC, the procedure of getting it is much harder if you are not a resident of Malawi currently. Taking fingerprints and submission of documents could generally be done through the authorized agencies with the help of international services which are available to work with you at your present place. In this manner you will not be stuck in the difficulty of having to go through the process from far or going back to Malawi to drop the papers.

Conclusion

Getting a Police Clearance Certificate from Malawi doesn’t have to be a huge process. It can be said that each step is easy when the particular person understands that he or she has to go through all of them. However, it is possible to fill the application form in the company accompanying photos, or address it to a private authorized agency, which will simplify the procedure for issuing a visa, as well as fill out the application properly so that there are no questions on this subject to the consuls. Local contacts, efficient document processing, and effective communication can ensure all the hassles are minimized when an agency is hired in applying for your PCC.