Uganda
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Uganda,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Uganda 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 Uganda police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Uganda Police Force — Directorate of Interpol & International Relations (via nearest Ugandan High Commission) currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Uganda PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Uganda for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Uganda 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 Uganda.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Uganda.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Uganda may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Uganda, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Uganda Police Force — Directorate of Interpol & International Relations (via nearest Ugandan High Commission) accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Uganda’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Uganda Police Force — Directorate of Interpol & International Relations (via nearest Ugandan High Commission) — 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 Uganda 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 Uganda
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Uganda Police Force — Directorate of Interpol & International Relations (via nearest Ugandan High Commission). Use a tracked courier for original documents.
If you live outside Uganda, apply at your nearest Ugandan High Commission, or through a representative, relative, or friend. You must provide certified original fingerprints taken at a police station in your current place of residence, a certified copy of your ID, two recent passport photos, a letter explaining why the certificate is needed, and the applicable fees.
Mailing address:
High Commission of Uganda, 350 Sparks Street, Suite 601, Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8 (the only Ugandan High Commission in Canada — also supported by Honorary Consulates in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, so check whether the Vancouver Honorary Consul can assist BC-based applicants directly)
Receive your Uganda PCC
Processing time is Confirm current timelines with the Ugandan High Commission. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Uganda. 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
Uganda Police Force — Directorate of Interpol & International Relations (via nearest Ugandan High Commission) before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Uganda 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 Uganda applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Uganda while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Confirm current timelines with the Ugandan High Commission. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Uganda'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 Uganda 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 Uganda PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Uganda.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com