Procedure on Application of Police Clearance in Saudi Arabia

A police clearance is sometimes required by Filipinos who used to work in Saudi Arabia when they apply to migrate to other countries or seek new employment.

The typical scenario can be classified into two: 1) the applicant is currently working in Saudi Arabia and 2) the applicant is no longer in Saudi Arabia. Since obtaining it is much easier and convenient when a Filipino worker is still in Saudi Arabia, it is advisable to secure one before leaving Saudi Arabia.

If applicant is still in Saudi Arabia

1. Obtain a Letter of Endorsement from the Philippine embassy addressed to Saudi police authorities. To obtain this, please present to the Embassy a copy of your valid passport or residence permit (iqama), and pay the notarial/certification fee of SAR 100;
2. Bring the Letter of Endorsement to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SMFA) for authentication. The SMFA’s authentication fee is SAR 30;
3. Present the Letter of Endorsement to the police station of the city district where the applicant resides. The applicant will be asked by Saudi police to fill-up a fingerprint card. The applicant should also be ready to present his or her residence permit upon request.
4. Police clearance is usually issued within one week.

If applicant is no longer in Saudi Arabia

1. Appoint a representative who is currently living in Saudi Arabia who will transact with embassy and authority on behalf of the applicant.  Without an authorized representative, the Philippine embassy will not process any applications as physical presence of this representative is needed when transacting with Saudi authorities.
2. Applicant will send the following to representative (not to Philippine embassy):
   • A letter authorizing the designated representative to transact on behalf of the applicant;
   • Duly-accomplished fingerprint card (with prints of all fingers) obtained through the relevant police authority of the country where the applicant is presently residing. If the applicant is in the Philippines, he or she should get a fingerprint card from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Philippine National Police (PNP);
   • Photocopy of passport used while applicant was resident in Saudi Arabia clearly showing the applicant’s photo/data page and all issued visas;
   • Copy of applicant’s Saudi residence permit;
   • Two recently-taken 2” x 2” colored pictures with white background; and,
   • Other relevant documents, if any, to support the application for police clearance.
3. The designated representative will then proceed to the Dirah Police Headquarters in Riyadh. The designated representative should submit to police officials the fingerprint card. The representative should follow any further instructions by Saudi police officials.
4. The applicant’s designated representative should proceed to the Embassy and have the applicant’s fingerprint card stamped with “Seen and Noted.” The representative should also pay the notarial fee of SAR 100
5. The designated representative should then proceed to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have the fingerprint card authenticated. The representative should also pay the authentication fee of SAR 30.00 to the Saudi Ministry. Over the counter stamping / signature is done by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs within one day.
6. The fingerprint card, with the Saudi police clearance in the form of a stamp stating, NO CRIMINAL RECORD, and signature, is usually issued by the Saudi police within a week. Once released, the representative should make arrangements to send the fingerprint card with the Saudi police clearance back to the applicant.

Fees

• Notarial fee of SAR 100 for the Embassy’s “Seen and Noted” stamp on the fingerprint card;
• Authentication fee of SAR 30.00 for Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ authentication service, and

Notes

• Applicants no longer in Saudi Arabia need to channel payment through representative instead of wiring it directly to the Embassy which will not process application without authorized representative.
• The Philippine government is not obliged to assist a Filipino citizen in acquiring the citizenship of a foreign country.
• For additional questions and enquiries, send an email to consular@philembassy-riyadh.org