Hong Kong
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Hong Kong,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Hong Kong Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
in addition to your Canadian one. Getting fingerprinted correctly is usually the first step. This guide walks through how that works
while you’re based in Canada, and how Surrey Fingerprint Company can help with the fingerprinting part.
Visit Surrey Fingerprint Company for professional, correctly-formatted fingerprints for your Hong Kong police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Hong Kong Police Force — Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) Office currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Hong Kong PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Hong Kong for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Hong Kong as part of permanent residency, sponsorship, or citizenship applications.
- Immigration to a third country: if you are applying to move from Canada to another country (e.g. Australia, the UK, the US, or elsewhere), that country’s character/background check requirements often ask for a clearance from every country you’ve lived in for an extended period, including Hong Kong.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Hong Kong.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Hong Kong may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Hong Kong, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Hong Kong Police Force — Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) Office accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Hong Kong’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Hong Kong Police Force — Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) Office — requirements can change, so always check before your appointment.
Get fingerprinted at Surrey Fingerprint Company
Bring valid photo ID and any required form. The fingerprint format usually requested for a Hong Kong PCC is:
Either Ink-and-Roll or Digital (confirm current preference). We offer both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting on-site.
We complete your card correctly
We take your fingerprints on the correct form, complete any required identity/witness sections, and provide the card or
document ready to send.
Send your package to Hong Kong
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Hong Kong Police Force — Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) Office. Use a tracked courier for original documents.
For applicants outside Hong Kong: a full set of fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency or consulate where you currently reside is required (an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency such as Surrey Fingerprint Company can provide this, in ink or digital format). Note an important policy change: effective January 1, 2026, the CNCC Office stopped accepting applications from outside Hong Kong submitted by post, drop-in box, or a representative — applications must now go through the Hong Kong Police Force's Online Applications Platform (es.police.gov.hk). Confirm current document upload requirements on that platform before your appointment. The certificate is only issued for visa (visit/student/resident) or adoption purposes — not for general employment background checks.
Mailing address:
Hong Kong Police Force, Certificate of No Criminal Conviction Office (apply via es.police.gov.hk for applicants outside Hong Kong)
Receive your Hong Kong PCC
Processing time is Approximately 4 weeks if no criminal record is found — confirm current timelines on the Online Applications Platform. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Hong Kong. Requirements can change; always confirm current details on the official page before applying.
the current requirement before your appointment so you don’t need to redo it.
clearance applications can change without notice. Always confirm current requirements directly with
Hong Kong Police Force — Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC) Office before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Hong Kong PCC?
Yes. Surrey Fingerprint Company offers both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting, and can prepare your fingerprint card or document in the format most commonly requested for Hong Kong applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Hong Kong while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Approximately 4 weeks if no criminal record is found — confirm current timelines on the Online Applications Platform. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Hong Kong's current requirements — some authorities require original ink cards mailed physically, others accept digital submissions. We'll help you confirm which applies before you leave our office.
Can Surrey Fingerprint Company submit my application to Hong Kong for me?
We handle the fingerprinting step. Submission of the full application package is generally your responsibility (or your immigration consultant/lawyer's), unless otherwise noted for a specific country.
Get Fingerprinted for Your Hong Kong PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Hong Kong.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com