Zimbabwe
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Zimbabwe,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) — Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Harare currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Zimbabwe PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Zimbabwe for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Zimbabwe.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Zimbabwe may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Zimbabwe, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) — Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Harare accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Zimbabwe’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) — Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Harare — 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 Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) — Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Harare. Use a tracked courier for original documents.
Get Form 137 (Application for Police Certificate) — available from the Zimbabwe Embassy or online. Have your fingerprints taken at a local police station "which does fingerprints" (the Zimbabwe Embassy in Washington notes an appointment can also be made with the Embassy itself, where available; confirm whether an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency such as Surrey Fingerprint Company is accepted). Pay the applicable fee (commonly by cashier's check, money order, or bank transfer to the CID account). Courier the completed form, fingerprints, and proof of payment (DHL, FedEx, or similar) to CID Headquarters in Harare, including a self-addressed return envelope or arranging return courier so the certificate can be mailed back.
Mailing address:
Officer Commanding, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Corner 10th Street/Josiah Chinamano Avenue, Morris Depot, Harare, Zimbabwe
Receive your Zimbabwe PCC
Processing time is Typically 2-4 weeks once CID Headquarters receives the documents, plus courier time — confirm current fees and timelines. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Zimbabwe. 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
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) — Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Harare before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Zimbabwe while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Typically 2-4 weeks once CID Headquarters receives the documents, plus courier time — confirm current fees and timelines. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Zimbabwe'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 Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Zimbabwe.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com