“Former Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who try to seek employment or migrate to Western countries are required to submit a clearance or certificate of no criminal record from police authorities in countries where they used to reside or work,” Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor told Arab News on Monday. Villamor added that securing a police clearance before leaving the Kingdom will save them money and a lot of time later if and when they apply to work or migrate to other countries. The envoy said that the procedure laid down for acquiring your police clearance requires the following:
- Application of police clearance containing full name of the applicant, passport number, statement of purpose of the application, fingerprint card form available from the consulate or the embassy;
n Endorsement of the request or application for police clearance by the authorities concerned (usually by the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs) to the Saudi Embassy in Manila;
- Transmission of the application by the Saudi Embassy in Manila to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh;
n Referral of the application by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Saudi Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution; and
- Transmission of the result of the verification through the MFA to the Saudi Embassy in Manila.
“Then only after the Saudi Embassy in Manila replies to the request coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs can the applicant receive his or her Saudi police clearance certificate,” Villamor said.
He added that to avoid possible delays due to such lengthy process, OFWs are encouraged to take some time out while they are still in the Kingdom and apply for police clearance that will most likely serve their own plans or interest in seeking jobs or residency in other countries later.
Villamor also emphasized the need for OFWs to always keep their personal documents updated and to plan ahead to spare themselves unnecessary trouble and expenses as they continue chasing their dreams around the world.
