Malawi
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Malawi,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Malawi 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 Malawi police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Malawi Police Service — Office of the Inspector General currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Malawi PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Malawi for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Malawi 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 Malawi.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Malawi.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Malawi may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Malawi, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Malawi Police Service — Office of the Inspector General accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Malawi’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Malawi Police Service — Office of the Inspector General — 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 Malawi 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 Malawi
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Malawi Police Service — Office of the Inspector General. Use a tracked courier for original documents.
Non-resident applicants should send two photographs, a complete set of fingerprints certified by a recognized police authority, and details of residency (dates/addresses) to the Officer of the Inspector General.
Mailing address:
Officer of the Inspector General, Malawi Police, Private Bag 305, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Receive your Malawi PCC
Processing time is Confirm current timelines with Malawi Police. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Malawi. 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
Malawi Police Service — Office of the Inspector General before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Malawi 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 Malawi applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Malawi while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Confirm current timelines with Malawi Police. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Malawi'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 Malawi 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 Malawi PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Malawi.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com