Saudi Police Clearance Without an Iqama Number: A Comprehensive Guide for Filipinos
1. Why a Saudi Police Clearance Matters
Filipinos who lived or worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are commonly asked for a Saudi Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) when:
- emigrating to countries that require “good-conduct” proof (e.g., Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
- applying for permanent residency or long-term visas (spouse/fiancé, student, caregiver)
- completing pre-employment checks for jobs that handle vulnerable persons
- finalising certain Philippine government transactions (e.g., re-deployment clearance via POEA for returning workers)
Ordinarily, the Saudi PCC is tied to the applicant’s Iqama (residence ID). Overseas Filipinos who left the Kingdom years ago—or never held an Iqama because they were short-term visitors, dependants under six months’ stay, or Hajj/Umrah pilgrims—must use an alternative, passport-based route. This article walks through that special procedure and the Philippine legal touch-points surrounding it.
2. Legal and Administrative Foundations
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Key Points Relevant to PCC-Without-Iqama |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Executive Regulations on Criminal Evidence & Pardons (1435 H) and MOI Circulars on Police Certificates | Allows the Criminal Evidence Department (CED) to release a PCC based on “valid travel document data” where no active Iqama exists, provided the request bears (a) an endorsement from the applicant’s embassy and (b) an authenticated fingerprint card. |
| Philippines | Rules on Authentication of Documents (DFA-OCA, 2019); Apostille Convention (PH joined 14 May 2019) | Foreign documents presented in the Philippines must be apostillised or, if from a non-apostille country such as KSA, authenticated by its embassy in Manila then apostillised by DFA. |
| Philippines–Saudi Arabia bilateral practice | Embassy Notes Verbale exchanged 2016 & 2019 | Re-confirmed that the Royal Embassy (Manila) may accept PCC requests of ex-residents who show proof of past legal stay even if no active Iqama. |
3. Who Can Use the No-Iqama Route?
- Former OFWs whose Iqama expired/cannot be retrieved.
- Short-term visa holders (business, visit, multiple-entry, seaman shore pass) who never received an Iqama.
- Pilgrims (Hajj/Umrah) who stayed less than 90 days.
- Dependants who exited on final-exit before their guardian processed a resident ID.
Important: If you currently hold a valid Iqama or had one that you can still copy, use the standard Absher-based PCC process instead; it is faster and cheaper.
4. Documentary Requirements
| Requirement | Where to Obtain | Philippine Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Original Passport (and any old passports covering KSA stay) | Applicant | Make colour scans of bio page & pages showing Saudi visas/entry & exit stamps. |
| 2. Fingerprint Card (FD-258 or C-24) | – PNP Crime Laboratory or – NBI Fingerprint Division | Bring 2 cards; have them signed by the fingerprint officer. |
| 3. NBI Clearance stating “for Abroad / Overseas Employment” | NBI | Not mandatory for Saudi authorities, but frequently requested by the Saudi Embassy Manila to verify identity. |
| 4. Endorsement Letter from the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh or Consulate in Jeddah | Apply by email/post; fee SR 100–110 | If you are already back in PH, you instead secure an Embassy template (downloadable PDF) and have DFA-OCA notarise your signature on it. |
| 5. Signed Authorisation Letter naming your representative in KSA | Applicant | Must bear your passport signature. Attach rep’s Saudi ID copy if possible. |
| 6. Two (2) recent 2″×2″ photographs | Any studio | White background, no eyewear. |
| 7. Proof of past legal stay (one of): exit/re-entry visa copy; employment contract; final-exit paper; old Iqama photocopy; old MOL enquiry print-out | Your files or former employer | Saudi Embassy Manila usually insists on any one piece of evidence. |
5. Step-by-Step Process (Philippines-Based Applicant)
| Stage | What Happens | Practical Tips & Philippine Touch-points |
|---|---|---|
| A. Fingerprinting in PH | Go to PNP Crime Lab HQ (Camp Crame) or any regional office. Present passport, pay ₱210–₱250. Officer rolls fingerprints onto two cards, signs and stamps. | Keep hands oil-free; smudged prints are rejected by CED. |
| B. Notarisation & Apostille | 1. Notarise: Bring fingerprint cards, passport copy, and endorsement letter to a notary public. 2. DFA Apostille: Submit notarised set at DFA-OCA Aseana or any Consular office; pay ₱200 (regular, 3 days) or ₱600 (express, same day). |
DFA only apostillises documents already notarised—or executed by a PH government office. |
| C. Saudi Embassy Authentication (Manila) | Book slot via VFS Tasheel. Submit: passport copy, apostilled fingerprint cards, endorsement letter, NBI clearance (optional), photos, proof of stay, and authorization letter. Pay ≈ ₱3,000 (SR 260 + VFS fee). Embassy affixes red ribbon + Arabic stamps. | Embassy processing: 5–7 working days (express 2 days possible). |
| D. Dispatch to KSA Representative | Courier the full set by DHL, LBC, etc., to your authorised representative in KSA. | Keep tracking number; include a pre-paid return envelope. |
| E. MOFA Stamping in KSA | Rep pays SAR 30 online (MOFA e-services) and visits a MOFA branch to authenticate the Philippine endorsement letter & fingerprint card. | MOFA may ask for Arabic translation; most typing centres can translate for SAR 50–100. |
| F. Criminal Evidence Department (Police) Filing | With MOFA-stamped docs, rep proceeds to the nearest CED (Shu’bah al-Adilla al-Jina’iyya). Officer enters details using passport number, captures fingerprints again, and issues claim stub (taslim). | Processing times vary: Riyadh/Jeddah 10–15 days, provincial offices 3–4 weeks. |
| G. Collection & Final MOFA Attestation | Rep returns on scheduled date, receives PCC in Arabic. They immediately re-visit MOFA (same day) to stamp the certificate. | Remind rep to scan the PCC before shipping. |
| H. Courier Back & Philippine Apostille (Optional) | PCC sent to PH. Because KSA is not an apostille country, the Saudi Embassy’s earlier authentication suffices for DFA Apostille; you only need to apostille if the destination country demands it. | DFA Treats MOFA-stamped Saudi PCC + earlier Embassy Manila stamps as foreign public document, so apostille is possible in PH for ₱200–₱600. |
6. Fees & Timeline at a Glance (as of Q2 2025)
| Item | Amount | Payable To |
|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint card | ₱210–₱250 | PNP / NBI |
| Notary | ₱500–₱1,000 | Notary public |
| DFA Apostille | ₱200 (regular) / ₱600 (express) | DFA-OCA |
| VFS Tasheel + Saudi Embassy legalisation | ≈ ₱3,000 | VFS / Embassy |
| International courier PH→KSA | ₱2,500–₱3,500 | DHL / LBC / FedEx |
| MOFA e-service fee | SAR 30 (≈ ₱450) | MOFA |
| Local courier inside KSA | SAR 50–100 | SMSA / Saudi Post |
| Return courier KSA→PH | SAR 180–250 (≈ ₱2,800–₱3,800) | DHL / Aramex |
| Typical total | ₱10,000–₱14,000 | – |
Processing time: 4–8 weeks door-to-door, depending on Embassy slots and provincial police workload.
7. Common Issues & Solutions
| Issue | Likely Cause | Work-around |
|---|---|---|
| “Police system cannot locate record w/ passport number.” | You changed passports after leaving KSA. | Attach all old passports with matching entry/exit. |
| CED insists on Iqama. | Staff unfamiliar with MOI Circular 17/2016. | Representative should politely show MOFA-stamped endorsement letter citing passport-based request. |
| Embassy Manila rejects application. | Missing proof of past legal stay. | Retrieve copy of final-exit visa from your former Saudi employer or GOSI inquiry print-out. |
| Long queue at VFS Tasheel. | Peak Hajj season. | Book “Premium Lounge” (extra ₱1,200) or file early morning. |
| Destination country demands “English” PCC. | Saudi PCC is Arabic. | Use DFA-accredited translator in PH, then notarise & apostille the translation. |
8. Data Privacy and Criminal-Record Accuracy
- Saudi Arabia stores fingerprints centrally for 10 years after final exit; if your stay was > 10 years ago, expect a “No Record Found” certificate instead, which is still acceptable to destination countries.
- Philippine anti-data-privacy laws allow you to transmit fingerprints abroad because the data are “necessary for immigration/visa compliance” under Section 12(c) of the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
- If the PCC surprisingly shows hits (e.g., unpaid traffic fines recorded as misdemeanour), you may contest via the Saudi Public Prosecution’s e-portal Nayef, but you must appoint a Saudi-licensed lawyer.
9. Checklist Before You Courier Out
- □ 2× fingerprint cards (inked, signed, stamped)
- □ Endorsement letter (original & copy)
- □ Passport photo page + visa & exit stamps (colour)
- □ Proof of past legal stay (any)
- □ Authorization letter to KSA representative
- □ Two photographs (2″×2″)
- □ All documents apostilled & embassy-legalised
- □ Tracking numbers noted and shared with representative
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I deal directly with the Saudi Embassy in Manila instead of sending to KSA? | No. The Embassy authenticates but does not issue the PCC; only Saudi police/CED can. |
| Is there an online portal I can use without an Iqama? | Not at present. Absher/E-Police features demand an Iqama-linked account. |
| What if I overstayed or had labour case? | The PCC may reflect a “Case Pending” remark. Settle fines or obtain settlement order with the help of a lawyer; otherwise some immigration authorities may refuse the PCC. |
| Does the Philippine government require this for OEC re-hire? | Generally no, unless the host country’s visa mandates it; POEA will accept a Saudi PCC if the employer or foreign embassy demands it. |
| How long is a Saudi PCC valid? | 3–6 months from date of issuance, depending on the authority requesting it. Always check the destination country’s own validity rules. |
11. Best Practices & Tips for a Smooth Application
- Scan every document before dispatch; some embassies accept clear scans when originals are lost.
- Bundle documents in the order Embassy Manila prescribes to avoid re-queue.
- Use credit-card-enabled courier accounts so your KSA representative can charge return shipping to you instantly.
- Follow up with your representative at least once per week; CED allows collection by proxy but often calls the proxy’s mobile when ready.
- Plan around Hajj & Ramadan when KSA government offices shorten working hours.
12. Conclusion
Securing a Saudi Police Clearance without an Iqama number is undeniably paperwork-heavy, yet entirely feasible for Filipino applicants. The cornerstone is obtaining an embassy-endorsed fingerprint card that Saudi authorities recognise as a surrogate for the missing Iqama. By observing the sequence—Philippine notarisation → DFA apostille → Saudi Embassy Manila legalisation → MOFA Saudi authentication → CED filing—you transform a potential dead-end into a routine administrative process. Allocate six weeks and ₱10–14 k, keep meticulous copies, and coordinate closely with a trusted KSA representative. With these steps, your PCC will arrive duly stamped, ready for any immigration or employment dossier.