OFWs in Saudi reminded about obtaining police clearances

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia were reminded about obtaining a police clearance before leaving the Kingdom. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said this is a requirement for Filipinos seeking permanent residence or employment in other countries. The embassy also noted that Saudi authorities have changed their rules twice in the past few years. The latest change came on November 3 last year, via a circular from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, applicable to procedures for former foreign residents. The present rules state: 1. The applicant should proceed to his/her country's embassy in the country of residence. 2. The applicant should submit an accomplished request with an accomplished fingerprint form. 3. This should be sent to his/her embassy in Saudi Arabia (the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh), which would endorse the request by Note to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SMFA). 4. The SMFA then would authenticate the application and accomplishment fingerprint form for endorsement to the concerned local police authorities where the Filipino lived. 5. The Embassy will then submit the authenticated Note Verbale, the SMFA endorsement and the duly-accomplished fingerprinting card to the concerned Office of the Director of the Police Department in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for filing and processing. 6. After one or two months, the Embassy will claim from the concerned police authorities the police clearance and send it back to the applicant. The documentary requirements are: 1. Duly accomplished Police Clearance Application Form that can be obtained from the Saudi Embassy in the country where the applicant is presently residing; 2. Duly accomplished Fingerprinting Card obtained thru the State Police of the country where the applicant is presently residing; 3. Two newly taken 2 x 2 colored picture with white background; 4. Photocopy of passport used in Saudi Arabia clearly showing the applicant's photograph, all visas and exit/re-entries of the period of stay of the applicant in Saudi Arabia; 5. Photocopy of iqama (residence permit); 6. Photocopy of Certificate of Employment or No Objection Certificate or Release Letter issued by former employer/sponsor in Saudi Arabia; 7. Request Letter addressed to the Embassy stating the purpose of the Police Clearance; 8. Other relevant documents, if any, to support the application for Police Clearance; All non-Arabic documents should be translated into Arabic. Fees