Macao SAR
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Macao SAR,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Macao SAR 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 Macao SAR police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Macao SAR Identification Services Bureau (DSI) — Division of Criminal Record currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Macao SAR PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Macao SAR for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Macao SAR 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 Macao SAR.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Macao SAR.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Macao SAR may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Macao SAR, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Macao SAR Identification Services Bureau (DSI) — Division of Criminal Record accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Macao SAR’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Macao SAR Identification Services Bureau (DSI) — Division of Criminal Record — 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 Macao SAR 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 Macao SAR
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Macao SAR Identification Services Bureau (DSI) — Division of Criminal Record. Use a tracked courier for original documents.
Resident Card Identity cardholders and others with a connection to Macao (residence permit, non-resident worker permit, proof of schooling, or proof of application for residence) can apply. Documents needed: proof of connection to Macao, a valid travel/entry document, a letter with full personal details, a full set of fingerprints, and the applicable fee. If you cannot apply in person, a close relative (with proof of kinship) or an authorized representative can apply on your behalf — send the ink fingerprint card from Canada to your representative or directly to DSI. At least one established Canadian fingerprinting company already advertises this exact service (mail an ink fingerprint card from abroad for a Macau Certificate of Criminal Record), supporting that DSI accepts fingerprints taken outside Macao.
Mailing address:
Identification Services Bureau, Division of Criminal Record, P.O. Box 1089, Macao. Tel: (853) 8394 0532, Fax: (853) 2856 1610, Email: info@dsi.gov.mo
Receive your Macao SAR PCC
Processing time is Around 6 weeks if no criminal record is found (per third-party reports) — confirm current timelines with DSI. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Macao SAR. 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
Macao SAR Identification Services Bureau (DSI) — Division of Criminal Record before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Macao SAR 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 Macao SAR applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Macao SAR while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Around 6 weeks if no criminal record is found (per third-party reports) — confirm current timelines with DSI. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Macao SAR'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 Macao SAR 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 Macao SAR PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Macao SAR.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com