Singapore
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Singapore, many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Singapore 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.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Singapore PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Singapore for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Singapore 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 Singapore.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Singapore.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Singapore may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you're applying from outside Singapore, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact format Singapore Police Force — Criminal Investigation Department, Certificate of Clearance (COC) Office accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your application package.
Contact Singapore's issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with Singapore Police Force — Criminal Investigation Department, Certificate of Clearance (COC) 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 Singapore 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 Singapore
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to Singapore Police Force — Criminal Investigation Department, Certificate of Clearance (COC) Office. Use a tracked courier for original documents.
IMPORTANT: fingerprints are only required for ONE of two applicant categories. Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, or current Foreign Identification Number (FIN) holders apply entirely online via Singpass — no fingerprints needed, this group is not a fit for our service. The group that DOES need fingerprints is non-citizens/non-PRs who previously held a FIN (i.e. most people who used to live, work, or study in Singapore and have since left) but no longer qualify for a Singpass account: they log in with their old FIN, submit the online application and pay, then are notified by the COC office to submit fingerprint impressions taken at "an authorised institution in your country of residence (such as police stations)" using SPF's official Fingerprint Form (a foreign institution's own form works too if it captures the same information) — confirm whether an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency such as Surrey Fingerprint Company qualifies as an authorised institution. The scanned fingerprint impressions are emailed to the COC office; the original hardcopy may also need to be mailed if the scan can't be processed.
Mailing address:
Certificate of Clearance Office, Criminal Investigation Department, Singapore Police Force (apply online at police.gov.sg)
Receive your Singapore PCC
Processing time is 7-14 business days once a complete application is received — longer if documents are incomplete. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Singapore. Requirements can change; always confirm current details on the official page before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Singapore 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 Singapore applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Singapore while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: 7-14 business days once a complete application is received — longer if documents are incomplete. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Singapore'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 Singapore 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 Singapore PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Singapore.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com