How to Obtain a Saudi Arabia Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for a U.S. Visa
Philippine‐specific legal guide (updated May 2025)
1. Why the U.S. government asks for a Saudi PCC
Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act and the Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM 504.4-4(A)), every immigrant-visa (IV) or fiancé(e)-visa (K) applicant aged 16 or older must submit a police certificate from each country where he or she:
- lived for an aggregate of 6 months or longer after age 16, or
- was arrested for any reason.
Filipinos (or former Filipino residents) who worked, studied or lived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) therefore need a Saudi PCC—sometimes called a “Certificate of No Criminal Record,” “Good Conduct Certificate,” or “Tasreeh.” Failure to provide it may delay, or in rare cases derail, U.S. visa issuance unless the applicant proves the certificate is “unobtainable.”
2. Who must—and who does not—submit a Saudi PCC
| Situation | Need a Saudi PCC? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Still in KSA, 16 y/o + and lived ≥ 6 months | Yes | Obtain in-country (see § 4-A). |
| Back in the Philippines but resided in KSA ≥ 6 months after age 16 | Yes | Obtain from outside KSA (see § 4-B). |
| Only airport layovers / total stay < 6 months | No | Provide travel history if asked. |
| Service crew on vessel docking in KSA only | No | Treated as “transit.” |
| Arrest occurred in KSA (any length of stay) | Yes | Certificate plus court records. |
3. Key Saudi and Philippine authorities involved
| Authority | Role |
|---|---|
| Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) | Stamps (legalises) the embassy endorsement letter; verifies representative’s authority. |
| Saudi Criminal Evidence Department / Police (Afadal al-Shurta) | Captures fingerprints and issues the PCC. |
| Philippine Embassy – Riyadh / Consulate – Jeddah | Issues endorsement letters for Filipinos still in KSA. |
| Saudi Embassy – Manila | Legalises the PCC and any Filipino-issued fingerprints or Special Power of Attorney (SPA). |
| DFA-Office of Consular Affairs (Manila) | Apostilles Filipino documents (fingerprint card, SPA). |
| NBI or PNP Crime Laboratory | Takes rolled fingerprints on the prescribed card (for applicants outside KSA). |
| U.S. Embassy Manila / National Visa Center (NVC) | Provides “Request for Police Certificate” letter; later reviews the PCC. |
4. Step-by-step procedures
A. Applicants currently in Saudi Arabia
Secure an endorsement letter
- Request from the Philippine Embassy (Riyadh) or Consulate (Jeddah). Bring passport copy, Iqama, and two (2) photos.
- Pay ≈ SAR 100; processing 1–2 working days.
Translate the endorsement into Arabic (if issued in English).
MOFA authentication
- Book an e-appointment via the MOFA portal, pay SAR 30.
- Present passport, Iqama, and the endorsement. MOFA applies its e-stamp.
Fingerprinting & application at the Police
- Go to the Criminal Evidence Department (Mabahith Amni) with the MOFA-stamped letter.
- Biometrics captured; you receive a claim stub.
Pick-up (or have it mailed)
- Typical release: 5–10 working days.
- Certificate is in Arabic.
Optional English translation (for NVC convenience; not strictly required).
Validity: six (6) months from the date of issue for U.S. visa purposes; NVC prefers it to be ≤ 1 year old at the time of the interview.
B. Applicants already back in the Philippines
Because KSA will not fingerprint you abroad, you must send a fingerprint card and documents to a trusted representative in Saudi Arabia.
| Step | Action | Where / How |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secure a “Request for Police Certificate” letter from the U.S. Embassy Manila (IV Unit) or download the NVC-generated letter (CEAC portal). | Manila / online |
| 2 | Fingerprinting in PH: Have rolled impressions taken by NBI or the PNP Crime Lab on an FD-258 or local fingerprint form accepted by KSA. | Bring passport; pay ₱200–₱300. |
| 3 | SPA and packet preparation | Draft an SPA authorising a named Saudi-resident representative (with copy of his Iqama) to liaise with MOFA and police. Include: |
- Original fingerprint card
- Copy of your passport bio page and latest KSA visa/exit stamp
- U.S. Embassy/NVC request letter | | 4 | DFA Apostille all PH-issued docs (fingerprint card & SPA). | DFA-OCA, ₱200 (regular) or ₱400 (express). | | 5 | Saudi Embassy Manila legalisation | Pay ≈ ₱1,400 per document; 3–5 working days. | | 6 | Courier to Saudi | DHL/FedEx; keep tracking proof. | | 7 | Representative completes in-country steps (endorsement letter not needed—the U.S. letter suffices) → MOFA → police → PCC release. | | 8 | Representative legalises PCC at MOFA and ships it back to you (or directly to NVC if instructed). |
Practical tip: Some Filipinos hire accredited Saudi-based clearance agencies for steps 6–8. Verify that (a) they will affix your SPA at MOFA and (b) return both the Arabic original and an English translation.
C. Applicants in a third country
Follow the Philippine route above except: have fingerprints taken by any police authority where you reside, then (1) have them notarised and apostilled locally, and (2) legalised by the Saudi mission covering that country, before shipping to KSA.
5. Fees & timelines (typical, 2025)
| Item | In KSA | From PH |
|---|---|---|
| Embassy/Consulate endorsement | SAR 100 | — |
| MOFA stamp | SAR 30 | SAR 30 (rep pays) |
| Police clearance issuance | Free | Free |
| Translation (Arabic↔English) | SAR 90–150 | ₱1,500–2,000 |
| SPA notarisation & DFA apostille | — | ₱250–₱400 |
| Saudi Embassy Manila legalisation | — | ₱1,400 per doc |
| Courier PH ↔ KSA | — | ₱3,500–5,000 round trip |
| Total cost | ≈ SAR 250 | ≈ ₱10,000–15,000 |
| Processing time | 2–4 weeks total | 6–10 weeks total |
6. Document checklist
For in-country applicants
- ☐ Philippine passport (valid 6 mos+).
- ☐ Iqama / Resident ID and recent exit-re-entry visa copy.
- ☐ Endorsement letter (Philippine Embassy/Consulate).
- ☐ 2 passport-size photos.
- ☐ MOFA e-stamping fee (SAR 30).
For Philippines-based applicants
- ☐ U.S. Embassy/NVC request letter.
- ☐ Rolled-fingerprint card (FD-258 or Saudi form).
- ☐ Special Power of Attorney naming Saudi representative.
- ☐ Photocopy of Saudi visa + departure stamp, if any.
- ☐ DFA apostille receipts.
- ☐ Saudi Embassy legalisation receipts.
- ☐ Courier airway bill.
7. Common pitfalls—and how to avoid them
| Pitfall | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Wrong fingerprint form used | Use standard FD-258 or the Saudi “Model 7” form; ensure all ten rolled impressions. |
| PCC older than one year at interview | Time your application so the PCC is < 6 months old when uploaded and < 12 months at interview. |
| Name mismatch (e.g., middle name vs father’s name) | Write your full name exactly as on your last Saudi visa; include previous names in an explanatory note to NVC. |
| PCC rejected for lacking MOFA stamp | Always legalise the PCC at MOFA after issuance. |
| No proof of attempts when PCC truly unobtainable | Keep copies of e-mails, courier receipts and embassy replies; upload a detailed “unobtainable” affidavit to CEAC. |
8. Frequently asked questions
Q 1: Do I need my Saudi police clearance “red-ribboned”?
No. Since 14 June 2019 the Philippines replaced red ribbons with apostilles.
Q 2: Is an English translation required?
NVC accepts Arabic originals, but a certified English translation speeds up document review and avoids RFEs.
Q 3: How long is the PCC valid?
Technically 6 months from issue (per Saudi police). NVC treats it as “valid if issued within the past year.”
Q 4: I was an undocumented worker (“TNT”)—can I still get a PCC?
Yes, but you must provide your old passport number and any Iqama data. Expect extra scrutiny and a longer wait.
Q 5: My representative is a non-Filipino friend in Riyadh; is that allowed?
Yes. Your SPA should be in English and Arabic, notarised, apostilled, and then MOFA-stamped.
9. What if the PCC is unobtainable?
If, despite reasonable efforts, the KSA PCC cannot be secured (e.g., Saudi arrest warrant, MOFA refusal, or lack of a willing representative), U.S. consular rules allow submission of:
- Written explanation of every step you took;
- Proof of attempts (receipts, emails, tracking numbers); and
- Alternate evidence of good conduct (NBI Clearance, affidavits of good moral character, old Saudi exit visa with “No Derogatory Record” stamp if any).
The consular officer may then waive the requirement, but this is discretionary and rare.
10. Final takeaway
- Start the Saudi PCC process as soon as you receive your NVC or U.S. Embassy Manila document-collection notice.
- Use the correct channel: in-country if you are still in the Kingdom, representative route if you are back home.
- Legalise every document twice: first by DFA Apostille (or local apostille abroad), then by the Saudi mission.
- Track courier shipments, keep copies, and upload scanned PDFs (≤ 2 MB each) to the CEAC portal.
- When in doubt, consult a licensed Philippine attorney or an approved migration professional; this guide is for general information only and is not legal advice.
Prepared 19 May 2025, Manila, Philippines.