A police clearance is a document which certifies that a person has no pending legal cases or criminal records in the place where he/she resides in. It is a common requirement when applying for a job, applying for residency or citizenship in another country, and other similar purposes.
In Saudi Arabia, a police clearance may be required when a person is processing his/her final exit visa. In this article, we will talk about how overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can apply for a Saudi Police Clearance, including the requirements, fees, and procedures involved.
Contents
Guide to Applying for Saudi Police Clearance
There are two ways to getting a Saudi Police Clearance, depending on whether the applicant is: (a) currently residing in the Kingdom; OR (b) outside Saudi Arabia, whether in the Philippines or in another country.
If the applicant is in the Kingdom, he/she will receive a police clearance in the form of a certificate. Meanwhile, if the applicant is outside Saudi Arabia, Saudi police authorities will stamp his/her fingerprint card with “No Criminal Record.” Either way, the clearance will be considered valid and may be used for employment, travel, or other purposes.
Applying from Within Saudi Arabia
If you are applying for a Saudi Police Clearance from Riyadh, Jeddah, or other places within the Kingdom, please take note of the following requirements and procedure.
Requirements
- Copy of valid Philippine passport;
- Copy of valid Saudi Iqama or residence permit;
- One colored photo (2” x 2” size, white background);
- Accomplished application form;
- Notarial/Certification fee – SAR 100 (at Philippine Embassy); and
- Authentication fee – SAR 30 (at Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Procedure
- Submit the above requirements to the Philippine Embassy (for those in Riyadh/Eastern Region) or to the Philippine Consulate General (for those in Jeddah/Western Region).
- Upon approval, you will receive an Endorsement Certificate addressed to Saudi Police.
- Bring the Endorsement Certificate to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SMFA) for authentication. There is an authentication fee of SAR 30.
- Present the authenticated Endorsement Certificate to the police station in the area where you reside. You will be asked to fill-up a fingerprint card.
- Wait for your Saudi Police Clearance to be issued, usually within a week.
Applying from Outside Saudi Arabia
If you are applying for a Saudi Police Clearance from outside the Kingdom, you need to designate a representative who is residing in Saudi Arabia. Your representative will be transacting with the Philippine Embassy and Saudi authorities on your behalf.
Requirements
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA) for designated representative, authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Saudi Embassy in Manila (if in the Philippines); OR by the nearest Philippine Embassy and Saudi Embassy (if abroad);
- Accomplished fingerprint card obtained from National Bureau of Investigation, authenticated by the DFA and Saudi Embassy in Manila (if in the Philippines); OR or by the relevant authority, authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy and Saudi Embassy (if abroad);
- Copy of passport used while applicant was residing in Saudi Arabia (with photo/data page);
- Copy of passport showing Exit Stamp;
- Copy of passport showing Saudi Exit Visa;
- Copy of valid Saudi Iqama or residence permit;
- Certificate of employment;
- Employment contract;
- Two colored photos (2” x 2” size, white background);
- Accomplished application form;
- Notarial fee – SAR 100 (at Philippine Embassy);
- Authentication fee – SAR 30 (at Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs); and
- Other documents (if any) to support the application for police clearance.
Procedure
- The designated representative will submit the above requirements to the Philippine Embassy and pay the notarial fee.
- Upon approval, the applicant’s fingerprint card will be stamped with “Seen and Noted.”
- The representative will proceed to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have the fingerprint card authenticated and to pay the authentication fee.
- The representative will proceed to the Dirah Police Headquarters in Riyadh, where the fingerprint card will be stamped with “No Criminal Record.” This process will take about one week or less.
- As soon as the fingerprint card is stamped, the representative will send it back to the applicant.
As you can see, the process for obtaining a Saudi Police Clearance involves more time and requirements if you are outside Saudi Arabia. Hence, it is advisable that you apply for a Saudi Police Clearance while you are still residing in the Kingdom.
DISCLAIMER: The above guide is presented for general information-sharing purposes only. To know the latest requirements, fees, and procedures in applying for a Saudi Police Clearance, please visit the official website of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh or the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.
READ NEXT: Do’s and Don’ts in Saudi Arabia