Apply in person at the public security organ (the police) covering the place where you live or are registered in China, and bring your passport plus a valid visa or residence permit: the no-criminal-record certificate is issued under the Ministry of Public Security’s national rules on criminal record inquiries, which took effect on December 31, 2021.

What is this certificate and why would a foreigner need it?

The certificate (无犯罪记录证明) is an official statement that no criminal conviction is recorded against you in China’s public security records. Foreigners need it more often than they expect: a new employer in China may ask for it, some visa and residence permit processes require it, and many immigration authorities abroad demand a police clearance from every country where you have lived for six months or more. If you have worked or studied in China, that often includes China.

Where and how do you apply?

Go to the local public security organ that covers your registered address. In most cities that means the police station (派出所) for your area; some cities handle it at the government service center or the exit-entry administration window. Bring your passport with the visa or residence permit showing that address. Because the inquiry starts from your accommodation registration, make sure that registration is current before you apply. Forms, fees and processing times differ by city, so check the local public security bureau website or call ahead.

Practical points to know

The certificate records criminal convictions – court convictions recorded by the police – not civil disputes, traffic fines or ordinary administrative penalties. The document is normally issued in Chinese. If a foreign government asks for it, you will usually need a notarized translation and sometimes consular legalization or an apostille, depending on the destination country.

A common scenario

Hypothetical example: an engineer who lived in Shenzhen for four years on a work permit applies for permanent residence in Canada. The immigration authority asks for a Chinese police certificate covering that period. She applies at the police station where her residence was registered, shows her passport and exit record, receives the certificate, and then has it notarized and translated before submitting it. The process is routine – but it is much easier to do while you are still in China and your registration is current, so many people apply before they leave.

If your situation involves an old criminal case, an unresolved investigation, or a record you believe is wrong, talk to a lawyer before applying. The inquiry itself can bring up issues you should handle first.

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Frequently asked questions

Q: What is this certificate and why would a foreigner need it?

A: The certificate (无犯罪记录证明) is an official statement that no criminal conviction is recorded against you in China’s public security records. Foreigners need it more often than they expect: a new employer in China may ask for it, some visa and residence permit processes require it, and many immigration authorities abroad demand a police clearance from every country where you have lived for six months or more.

Q: Where and how do you apply?

A: Go to the local public security organ that covers your registered address. In most cities that means the police station (派出所) for your area; some cities handle it at the government service center or the exit-entry administration window. Bring your passport with the visa or residence permit showing that address. Because the inquiry starts from your accommodation registration, make sure that registration is current before you apply.

Wang Guan | Co-founder, Beijing Haolue Law Firm | +86 17813108512