China Police Certificate is also known as China Police Clearance Certificate, Certificate of Character, Good Conduct Certificate, Police Check, Clearance Certificate or Criminal History Record Check.
It may be required for various overseas purposes, including school enrollment, employment, residency permits, adoption, or immigration.
Who Needs a China Police Clearance Certificate?
Foreign nationals who have resided, worked, or studied in China for six months or longer (cumulative or continuous) and are applying for:
▸ A Chinese work visa or permanent residency.
▸ Immigration, citizenship, or long-term visas in countries such as the United States, 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 who have worked, studied, or lived in China for a continuous period of 6 months or longer are eligible to apply for a China Police Clearance Certificate/Non-Criminal Record Certificate. This typically includes those who have resided in China for over 6 months under long-term visas such as:
▸ Z Visa (Work)
▸ X1 Visa (Study)
▸ J1 Visa (Journalist)
Important Note: The 6-month requirement may refer to either:
▸ Accumulated residence or continuous residence with long-term residence permit in China
▸ Continuous residence with short-term China visa.
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 respectively indicated as 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 can issue 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 Certificate upon request.
▸ Once issued, the Police Certificate must be submitted to 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
In some cases, applicants cannot obtain a China police certificate covering all periods of their residence in China. 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 the police certificate is unobtainable.
Processing time for applying for China Police Certificate
2-3 weeks excluding mailing time.
Required documents for a China Police Clearance Certificate
1. Scanned copies of passport pages
▸ current and previous passport photo pages (See photo page sample)
▸ Pages containing China visas, residence permits and exit/ entry stamps.(See China visa sample) (See residence permit sample)
2. Scanned copy of the temporary residence registration form (TRRF).（See sample）
3. Proof of employment or school enrollment in China
▸ For employment: Scanned copy of your work permit. (Sample old version | new version）
▸ For education: Scanned copy of your diploma, degree certificate, or official enrollment letter.
4. Power of Attorney (POA)
Required if applying through a representative. A Sample POA statement
I, [Full Name], hereby authorize [Representative’s Name] to request and notarize a China Police Certificate on my behalf within the People’s Republic of China.
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 electronic 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 residence in China.
▸ Time period to be covered by the certificate.
▸ School details (if on a student visa).
Documents Guidelines for a China Police Certificate Request
Scan requirements
▸ Use a scanner or mobile scanning app (e.g., Cam Scanner).
▸ Minimum resolution: 200 dpi.
▸ Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG.
Email scanned documents to info@intrz.com as attachments.
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 issue a request letter for a Chinese police certificate after you submit your Canadian residency application.
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 Police Certificate, you must submit clear scanned copies of the original Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Record along with its officially notarized translation issued by a Chinese notary public office for your Canada residency application.
If your police certificate does not cover the full duration of your residence in China (e.g., you can only obtain documentation for specific years or 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
A1: 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.
It depends. As the requirement of applying for China Police Certificate varies from city to city, some cities will only accept the original passport. 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).
A5: 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)
A6: A Chinese Police certificate is an official document issued by Chinese authorities confirming that you have no criminal convictions during your stay in China.
A7: To obtain a Chinese Police Certificate, follow these steps:
▸ Apply for criminal record checks at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau under your local Public Security Bureau (PSB).
▸ Submit the certificate to a Notary Public Office for official notarization and translation. The Notarial Certificate of No Criminal Record (公证书) is the only version accepted by receiving authorities.
A8: 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, 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 apply for 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 Police Clearance Certificate/Non-Criminal Record Certificate.
▸ We provide services including translation, notarization, authentication of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs and legalization of Foreign Embassy or Consulate in China to save your precious time.
How do I get a Police Certificate from China?
Follow these steps to apply:
1. Submit Application
▸ Download and complete the Questionnaire.
▸ Email the questionnaire along with scanned supporting documents (see Required Documents) to info@intrz.com.
2. Review & Agreement
▸ We’ll send a fee quote and list of any missing documents.
▸ Sign and return the service contract with a deposit payment to begin processing.
3. Processing & Approval
▸ We handle submissions to Chinese authorities.
▸ Once the notarized certificate is obtained, you’ll receive a scanned copy of the certificate for review and approval.
▸ Pay the remaining balance once you confirm the details.
4. Delivery
▸ The original notarized certificate is couriered to your address (e.g., DHL/EMS).