Iran
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Iran,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Iran 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 Iran police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Islamic Republic of Iran — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tehran service desk, or the Iranian Interests Section at the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C.) currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Iran PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Iran for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Iran 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 Iran.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Iran.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Iran may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Iran, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Islamic Republic of Iran — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tehran service desk, or the Iranian Interests Section at the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C.) accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Iran’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Islamic Republic of Iran — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tehran service desk, or the Iranian Interests Section at the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C.) — 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 Iran PCC is:
Ink-and-Roll Fingerprinting (Paper Card). 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 Iran
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Islamic Republic of Iran — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tehran service desk, or the Iranian Interests Section at the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C.). Use a tracked courier for original documents.
Get your fingerprints taken in black ink on TWO sets of the RCMP-style C216 fingerprint form by an RCMP-accredited agency such as Surrey Fingerprint Company — each form needs a passport-size photo attached (signed on the back) and stamped/sealed by the technician. There are two valid ways to submit: (1) mail both fingerprint cards directly to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs service desk in Tehran — anyone can deliver it on the applicant's behalf (no power of attorney needed), after paying a roughly 25 Euro fee via the National Bank; get a tracking code first via the Sana/Mikhak system or international.adliran.ir; or (2) since Iran has no embassy in Canada, submit through the Iranian Interests Section at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., along with the required supporting documents from their website. The certificate is typically emailed in English about a month after Iran receives the documents.
Mailing address:
Iran MFA service desk, Tehran; or Iranian Interests Section, Embassy of Pakistan, 2209 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007, USA
Receive your Iran PCC
Processing time is Approximately one month after Iran receives the fingerprint cards — confirm current timelines. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Iran. 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
Islamic Republic of Iran — Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tehran service desk, or the Iranian Interests Section at the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C.) before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Iran 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 Iran applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Iran while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Approximately one month after Iran receives the fingerprint cards — confirm current timelines. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Iran'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 Iran 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 Iran PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Iran.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com