Police Clearance Certificate from Saudi Arabia — Good Conduct Certificate Guide

A Saudi police clearance certificate (officially called the Good Conduct and Behavior Certificate) is required for immigration applications, new job offers abroad, professional licence applications, and citizenship applications in many countries. This guide explains who can get one, how to apply through Absher, and how to get it attested for use abroad.

Highlights

★The Saudi police clearance is officially named the 'Good Conduct and Behavior Certificate' (شهادة حسن السيرة والسلوك) — use this term when referencing it in official correspondence.
★Applications are completed online through Absher (absher.sa) with a Nafath login — no police station visit required for most applicants.
★Certificates are typically issued within 1–5 business days and delivered as a PDF to your Absher account.
★For international use, the certificate must be attested by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and then by the destination country's embassy.
★There is a government fee for the certificate — currently SAR 30–50 (subject to change; confirm current fee in Absher before payment).
★The certificate covers the period of your stay in Saudi Arabia — it certifies you have no criminal record on file with Saudi police.

Quick Answers

I need a Saudi police clearance for an immigration applicationApply via Absher online — the official name is 'Good Conduct and Behavior Certificate'. You need a valid Iqama and Nafath login. The certificate is issued digitally and can be printed. Most immigration authorities accept the printed PDF; check if your destination country requires an apostille or additional attestation.

How long does it take to get a Saudi police clearance?The Absher online process typically issues the certificate within 1–5 business days. Some applicants receive it same-day. For urgent cases, visit a police station directly — same-day service is possible in person, though wait times vary.

Do I need to go to a police station?No — applications can be completed entirely through Absher (absher.sa) online or via the Absher app. Most applicants never visit a police station. The only reason to visit in person is if your Absher application encounters an issue or you need an urgent same-day certificate.

I need the certificate attested for use in another countryAfter obtaining the Saudi certificate, it must be attested by: (1) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Saudi Arabia, then (2) the embassy of the destination country in Saudi Arabia. The Absher-issued PDF is accepted for MOFA attestation. MOFA offers online attestation via mofa.gov.sa.

I have left Saudi Arabia — can I still get a Saudi police clearance?If your Iqama is still valid (less common after departure) you may be able to apply online through Absher. Otherwise, you may need to apply through the Saudi embassy in your home country, or authorize a representative in Saudi Arabia to apply on your behalf. Requirements vary — contact the nearest Saudi consulate.

Who Is This For?

Expats and Saudi nationals who need a Saudi police clearance certificate for immigration, employment abroad, professional registration, or visa applications.

What You Need Before Starting

✓Valid Iqama (required for the application)
✓Absher account with Nafath login access
✓Saudi mobile number registered under your Iqama (for OTPs)
✓Payment method (mada debit card or credit card for the government fee)

Step-by-Step Process

1Log in to Absher — go to absher.sa or open the Absher app. Log in using your Iqama number and Nafath verification. If you do not have an Absher account, set it up first (see the Absher account guide). Nafath approval is required for each login session.
2Navigate to the Good Conduct Certificate service — in Absher, go to 'My Services' then 'Police Services' (or search for 'Good Conduct Certificate' in the search bar). Select 'Request Good Conduct and Behavior Certificate'. The service is under the Ministry of Interior (MOI) section.
3Complete the application form — confirm your personal details (name, Iqama number, nationality, date of birth). Specify the purpose of the certificate (immigration, employment, study, etc.) as this is often required by the receiving authority. Select the language — Arabic, English, or bilingual. Most international immigration applications require the English version.
4Pay the government fee — a fee of approximately SAR 30–50 is charged (confirm the exact amount shown in Absher). Pay via mada debit card or credit card linked to your Saudi account. Keep the payment receipt reference.
5Wait for the certificate to be issued — most certificates are issued within 1–5 business days. You will receive an SMS notification to your Saudi mobile number when it is ready. Log back into Absher to download the PDF. If there is a longer delay, there may be a records check in progress — this is normal if your name requires manual verification.
6Download and verify the certificate — the downloaded PDF includes a QR code and official seal. Verify the certificate is valid by scanning the QR code (or using the Absher verification link). The certificate shows your name, nationality, Iqama number, and confirmation of no criminal record on file.
7Get the certificate attested if required for international use — for immigration or overseas employment: take the printed PDF to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for attestation. MOFA attestation can be done online at mofa.gov.sa or in person at MOFA offices. After MOFA attestation, take it to the embassy of the destination country for their stamp. This two-step process is standard for most countries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Applying for Arabic-only when the destination requires English — always confirm with the immigration authority or employer whether they need English, Arabic, or both. Request the bilingual version if unsure.
✗Not getting MOFA attestation — a certificate stamped by Saudi police or issued via Absher alone is typically not sufficient for international immigration — MOFA attestation is required. Check with the destination embassy.
✗Assuming the certificate covers more than the Saudi period — the Saudi certificate only covers your time in Saudi Arabia. If you lived in other countries before Saudi Arabia, you may need police clearances from those countries as well.
✗Forgetting to verify the QR code before submission — some applicants print the PDF and submit without checking it is valid. Scan the QR code to confirm the certificate is authentic and current.
✗Leaving this until the last minute — allow at least 2 weeks from application to having a fully attested certificate ready for submission. MOFA attestation alone can take 3–7 business days.

Timing & Fees

Application processing: 1–5 business days (Absher). Government fee: SAR 30–50 (paid online via Absher). MOFA attestation fee: SAR 30–50 per document (check current MOFA fee schedule). Embassy attestation fee: varies by destination country embassy. Total timeline with attestation: 1–2 weeks. Urgent in-person police station: same-day possible (fees may vary).

Practical Tips

💡Request the bilingual Arabic/English version unless you are certain the destination only requires one language — bilingual certificates are accepted by most immigration authorities worldwide.
💡Save a backup copy of the downloaded certificate PDF in cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud) immediately — re-downloading from Absher is possible but having an offline backup is useful.
💡MOFA online attestation (mofa.gov.sa) is faster than visiting MOFA in person — documents are typically processed within 3–5 business days and returned by courier.
💡Some embassies will attest directly on the MOFA-stamped document in their office same-day — call ahead to confirm the process for your specific destination country.
💡If you are applying for immigration and need certificates from multiple countries (Saudi Arabia + previous residence), start all applications simultaneously — each takes different processing times.
💡Keep the original Saudi certificate safe after attestation — many immigration authorities require the original physical document with stamps, not a photocopy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official name of the Saudi police clearance certificate?

The official name is the 'Good Conduct and Behavior Certificate' (شهادة حسن السيرة والسلوك). It is issued by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) through the Absher portal. It is equivalent to a police clearance certificate, criminal record check, or character reference from Saudi Arabia.

Can I get a Saudi police clearance after I have left Saudi Arabia?

If your Iqama is still valid and active, you may be able to apply through Absher online from abroad. If your Iqama has been cancelled, the online route may not be available. In this case, contact the nearest Saudi Embassy or Consulate in your home country — some can issue certificates or facilitate the application. Requirements vary by location.

Does the certificate have an expiry date?

The certificate itself does not expire, but immigration authorities and employers often require a certificate issued within the last 3 or 6 months. Always check the recency requirement with the destination authority before applying — apply as close to the submission deadline as practical.

What if the certificate shows a criminal record?

If you have a criminal conviction on file in Saudi Arabia, the certificate will reflect this. You cannot modify or delete this information. For immigration purposes, you should disclose this to your immigration lawyer and the destination authority — attempting to conceal criminal history in immigration applications is a serious offence.

How do I know the Absher-issued certificate is authentic?

Every certificate issued through Absher includes a QR code and a verification link. Scan the QR code with your phone camera — it will open a verification page confirming the certificate is genuine and issued by MOI. Most immigration authorities accept this digital verification method.

What is the difference between MOFA attestation and apostille?

Saudi Arabia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2023. For countries that accept apostilles, you need an apostille stamp from MOFA instead of the traditional chain of attestations. Check whether the destination country accepts apostilles — if it does, the process is simpler. If not, you need the traditional MOFA stamp + destination embassy stamp.