No police clearance required! Saudi Arabia announces relaxation for Indian nationals seeking visa

Saudi Arabia on Thursday said that it has exempted Indian nationals from submitting a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) to obtain a visa for travelling to the Gulf country. "In view of the strong relations and strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of India, the Kingdom has decided to exempt Indian nationals from submitting a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)," the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in India said in a statement.

The certificate will no longer be a requirement for Indian citizens to obtain a visa for travelling to Saudi Arabia, the statement said. The decision has been taken as a part of the efforts of the two countries to further strengthen their relations. "The Embassy appreciates the contribution of over two million citizens living peacefully in the Kingdom," the statement said.

The relationship between India and Saudi Arabia has improved in the last few years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He visited Saudi Arabia first in 2016 and 2019. In October 2019, Prime Minister Modi talked about the excellent personal relations between him and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia HRH Mohammad Bin Salman.
 
He said since his first visit to the Kingdom in 2016, he had personally witnessed remarkable growth in our bilateral relations. "I have met His Royal Highness (HRH) Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman five times. I recall with warmth my previous meetings with him and look forward to meeting him again during this visit. I am confident that under the leadership of His Majesty King Salman and HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, bilateral relations between India and Saudi Arabia will only grow stronger,” he said. 

Prime Minister Modi further said that 'Neighbourhood First' continues to be the guiding vision for his government’s foreign policy. "India’s relations with Saudi Arabia are one of the most important bilateral relationships in our extended neighbourhood,” he added.

In a special gesture, Saudi Arabia conferred its highest civilian honour - the King Abdulaziz Sash - on Prime Minister Modi in 2016.