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Express Entry for residents of Saudi Arabia

Skilled workers in Saudi Arabia can build a solid Express Entry profile on their Gulf experience. The traps are documents: the Saudi police certificate cannot be ordered in advance, and leaving on a final exit visa can make it impossible to get.

Written by NextMovePath editorial teamLast updated:


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At a glance

Settlement funds (single applicant)CAN$15,263, about SAR 40,500 at September 2026 ratesSource: IRCC: Express Entry proof of funds
Saudi police certificateCriminal Record Certificate; needs an IRCC facilitation letter from the Riyadh officeSource: IRCC: How to get a police certificate, Saudi Arabia
After final exitNon-citizens who left on a final exit visa may not be able to get oneSource: IRCC: How to get a police certificate, Saudi Arabia
Points for Saudi work experienceUp to 50 CRS points through skill transferability, combined with CLB 9+ languageSource: IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System criteria

How do I get a Saudi police certificate for Express Entry?

You do not submit it at first. After IRCC assesses your application it sends a request letter. You then ask IRCC Riyadh, through its web form with your file number, for a facilitation letter, and take it with your iqama and a 4 by 6 cm photo to the Criminal Evidence Division.

What if I leave Saudi Arabia before getting it?

Only non-citizens who currently live in Saudi Arabia can get one, and after a final exit visa it may not be possible. If you have no current legal residence, IRCC says you do not need it and gives a statement to write instead. Plan your final exit around this step.

Does Saudi work experience count for Express Entry?

Yes. Paid, skilled work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 from the last 10 years counts as foreign work experience, with one year continuous needed for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. It earns up to 50 CRS points, but only combined with strong language results or Canadian experience.

Can my end-of-service award count as settlement funds?

Only when it is in your bank account. IRCC counts funds available to you when you apply and when the visa is issued, shown in bank letters with six-month average balances. An award not yet paid is not available, and borrowed money never counts.

Why applications from Saudi Arabia get refused

These are the grounds IRCC officers most often write in refusal letters for this kind of application. They are typical grounds, not statistics. Fix them before you apply, not after.

  • Reference letters did not match the NOC duties claimed.
  • Proof of funds was borrowed, not yet received or not in the applicant’s name.
  • A police certificate from a country of past residence was missing without explanation.
Already refused? Read what your refusal letter means

Express Entry (PR) from Saudi Arabia: FAQ

An employer can request one through the Amen portal with your approval in Absher, but the Ministry of Interior suggests the in-person route for international use, since only those can have MOFA attestation.
Yes, if you lived there six months in a row or longer in the last 10 years since age 18.
About SAR 2.65 per Canadian dollar on September 25, 2026. Plan above the minimum.

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Tell us where you are in the process. A member of our team will tell you what is missing or weak in your Saudi Arabia application, before IRCC does.

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This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and document lists change often. Confirm current requirements on canada.ca or with a licensed Canadian immigration representative (RCIC or lawyer) before you apply.