A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) — sometimes called a criminal background clearance — is a mandatory document for Ukrainian work permit applications and Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) applications. Ukraine's State Migration Service (ДМСУ) requires proof that the applicant has no criminal record in their country of citizenship. For Bangladeshi nationals, this means obtaining the certificate from Bangladesh's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), then apostilling it and having it translated into Ukrainian.
What the Bangladesh PCC Is
The Bangladesh Police Clearance Certificate is an official government document issued by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Bangladesh Police, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It certifies that the named individual has no criminal record in the Bangladesh Police database as of the date of issue.
The certificate is printed on security paper, bears an official seal and signature, and includes the applicant's name, passport number, and date of birth. It is the only document Ukraine accepts as proof of clean criminal record from Bangladesh — private background check services, embassy letters, or other documents are not acceptable substitutes.
Bangladesh CID Application Process
The CID headquarters is located in Malibagh, Dhaka. Applications can also be submitted at divisional police offices in Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Mymensingh, though the certificate is issued centrally from Dhaka.
| Issuing authority | Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh Police |
|---|---|
| Application location | CID HQ, Malibagh, Dhaka (or nearest divisional office) |
| Government fee | BDT 500 (approximate; verify current rate at CID office) |
| Processing time | 7–14 working days from submission |
| Valid for Ukraine | Maximum 6 months from date of issue |
| Language | Issued in English (some versions also include Bengali) |
Documents required at the CID office for PCC application:
- Original valid passport (MRP — machine-readable passport)
- Photocopy of all used pages of the passport
- Application form (available at CID office or official Bangladesh Police portal)
- Recent passport-size photographs (typically 2–4)
- Proof of purpose (e.g. copy of Ukrainian employment offer or admission letter)
- Payment receipt for the BDT 500 fee
What Ukraine Requires: Apostille and Translation
A raw Bangladesh PCC is not directly usable in Ukraine. Two additional steps are mandatory:
Apostille Authentication
Bangladesh is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. The PCC must be apostilled by the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Consular Wing, Dhaka. The apostille certifies the authenticity of the CID official's signature and seal. Without apostille, Ukrainian immigration authorities will not accept the document.
MFA apostille processing: typically 3–7 working days; fee approximately BDT 1,000–1,500.
Certified Ukrainian Translation
After apostille, the PCC must be translated into Ukrainian by a certified translator. Ukraine accepts translations certified either by a Ukrainian notary or by a licensed translation bureau operating in Ukraine. The translation must cover the full text of the PCC including the apostille attachment.
Translation is arranged on the Ukrainian side — your lawyer or service provider in Ukraine handles this step.
Step-by-Step Checklist
- Confirm your passport is valid MRP with at least 18 months remaining validity
- Gather passport copies, photographs, and purpose documents
- Visit CID HQ Malibagh or nearest divisional CID office
- Submit application and pay BDT 500 fee; retain payment receipt
- Collect PCC after 7–14 working days (verify collection process at submission)
- Check the PCC carefully: name spelling, passport number, date of birth must match passport exactly
- Submit original PCC to Bangladesh MFA Consular Wing for apostille
- Collect apostilled PCC; verify apostille number and issuing authority details
- Send apostilled PCC to your Ukrainian lawyer or service provider for certified translation
- Confirm PCC issue date — it must not be older than 6 months at the time of your Ukrainian application submission
Common Errors That Cause Rejection
- Expired PCC. Ukraine's immigration authorities require the PCC to be no more than 6 months old at the time of application. A PCC obtained early in the process may expire before your application is complete. Time the CID application carefully.
- Wrong apostille authority. The apostille must come from the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs — not from a district court, notary, or any other authority. Documents apostilled by the wrong authority are rejected without exception.
- Name mismatch. If your name appears differently on the PCC versus your passport (e.g. full name vs. abbreviated name), Ukraine may reject the document. Ensure CID records match your passport exactly before submitting.
- Missing translation of apostille attachment. The translation must include the apostille page itself, not just the main certificate text. Many translation errors arise from translating only the certificate body.
- Using a digital or unofficial copy. Ukraine requires original documents or certified true copies. A scanned PDF of the PCC is not acceptable for submission to ДМСУ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the PCC from outside Bangladesh?
Yes, but it is more complex. If you are already abroad, you can apply through the Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission in the country where you reside. Processing times are typically longer — 3 to 6 weeks — and the Embassy will forward the request to CID HQ in Dhaka. If you are currently in Bangladesh, apply at CID directly for the fastest result.
Does the PCC need to show zero criminal record, or are minor issues acceptable?
Ukraine's work permit and TRP regulations require a clean criminal record. Even minor criminal convictions or pending cases may lead to a refusal. If you have any record — even a historical one — you should disclose this to a Ukrainian immigration lawyer before applying. Attempting to conceal a criminal record discovered later results in automatic refusal and potential ban from future applications.
I have lived in multiple countries. Do I need PCCs from all of them?
Ukrainian authorities may require PCCs from all countries where you have lived for 6 months or longer in the past 5 years, in addition to your country of citizenship. This is assessed case-by-case. Your immigration lawyer will advise based on your residence history. At minimum, a Bangladesh PCC is always required.
What happens if the PCC expires during my Ukraine application process?
If your PCC expires (becomes older than 6 months) before your application is submitted or approved, you will need to obtain a new one. Ukrainian authorities do not grant extensions or exceptions on document validity. This is one of the most common causes of delays — plan your PCC application timing carefully so it does not expire mid-process.
Concerned about your PCC or document authentication chain? Our team reviews all documents before submission to Ukrainian authorities — catching errors before they cost you time and money.