Your slowest document — so start it first. Steps, timelines and the mistakes to avoid.
If you are preparing to work in Europe, one document decides how fast everything else moves: your Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from SAPS. It typically takes 2 to 6 weeks — longer than anything else on your list. The golden rule: start with it first, and collect everything else while you wait.
Why Europe asks for it: you will be trusted with a truck worth hundreds of thousands of euros and cargo worth even more. A clean record is not a nice-to-have — without it, your application will not move.
This list is interactive: tick off what you have already done.
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For use in Lithuania, your PCC needs an apostille — issued by DIRCO (Department of International Relations and Cooperation). The apostille itself is fast (a few working days), but two mistakes cost weeks:
3 mistakes that cost weeks: ① leaving the PCC for last (it is the slowest — start first), ② sending DIRCO a copy, ③ names not matching your passport letter-for-letter.
The full document order with timelines is in our documents page, and if you have questions about your situation — ask in the WhatsApp group, that is what it is for.
Most European institutions expect a recent document — generally not older than 6 months at submission. Plan so it does not expire while you wait for other steps.
Yes — fingerprints are taken at police stations across the country, and processing is centralised regardless of where you apply.
Ask in our WhatsApp group first, before paying for anything. Better an honest answer early than money into a dead end.
Join the free WhatsApp group for webinar dates and document guidance, or start your free application when your documents are ready.
