Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)who have worked in Saudi Arabia needs to obtain a police clearance if they wish to migrate to other countries and apply for citizenship or seek new employment.

Acquiring a police clearance while the OFW is still in Saudi may take at least a week, but can be longer and difficult for the applicant who is outside the kingdom already. This is the reason why it is advisable to procure one before leaving Saudi Arabia.

If an OFW is still in the kingdom, this procedure should be followed:

• Obtain a Letter of Endorsement addressed to Saudi police authorities from the Philippine Embassy. To do so, present a copy of your valid Philippine passport or residence permit (iqama/muqeem) and pay the notarial/certification fee of SAR100

• Bring the Letter of Endorsement to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs  (SMFA) for authentication and pay the authentication fee of SAR30.

• Once it is authenticated by the SMFA, present the Letter of Endorsement to the police station of the city district where the OFW resides. The OFW will be requested to fill-up a fingerprint card and may also be asked to present his or her residence permit (iqama/muqeem).

• The police clearance is usually issued within a week.

If the OFW is outside the kingdom, follow this steps:

• Assign a representative residing in Saudi Arabia who will transact with the Embassy and the Saudi authorities regarding the police clearance.

• The OFW must send to the representative the following:

1. A letter authorizing the designated representative to transact on behalf of the applicant.
2. Duly-accomplished fingerprint card (with prints of all fingers) obtained through the relevant police authority of the country where the OFW is presently residing. If he or she is in the Philippines, they could get a fingerprint card from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Philippine National Police (PNP).
3. Photocopy of the passport used while the OFW was in the kingdom, clearly showing the photo/data page and all issued visas.
4. Copy of the OFW’s Saudi residence permit (iqama/muqueem).
5. Two (2) recently taken 2x2 colored pictures with white background.
6. Other relevant documents to support application for police clearance.

• The representative must go to the Embassy and have the OFW’s fingerprint card stamped with “Seen and Noted” and pay the notarial fee of SAR100.

• The representative should then proceed to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have the fingerprint card authenticated and pay the authentication fee of SAR30. Over the counter stamping/signature is done by SMFA within 1 day.

• From the Ministry, the representative should head on to the Dirah Police Headquarters in Riyadh and submit to police officials the fingerprint card. Any instructions given by the Saudi police officials after should be followed.

• 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.

Reminders:

• The Philippine Embassy will not entertain applicants living abroad who do not have a designated representative residing in the kingdom.
  

• Do not wire money to the Embassy or send cash along with documents via courier. Instead, send it to your representative to be process accordingly.
  

• The Philippine Government is not obligated to assist a Filipino citizen in acquiring the citizenship of a foreign country.
  

• For other information and concerns, email consular@philembassy-riyadh.org.