How will this decision of Saudi Arabia affect India's relations?
With the removal of the compulsion of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in the visa application for the Indians of Saudi Arabia, the visa process has become easier, as well as the bilateral relations between the two countries have also taken a step forward towards getting a new direction. Ever since the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in the year 2019, both countries are continuously working towards deepening their relations.
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The removal of the requirement of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) during Saudi Arabia visa application for Indians is being seen as another step towards deepening ties between the two countries. Experts say that this decision of the Saudi Arabian government will benefit thousands of people who are in the queue to get visas for employment. Along with this, the visa process will also become easier.
Last Thursday night, the Saudi Arabian government announced the abolition of the PCC requirement for Indians. In a tweet by the Saudi Arabian Embassy, it was said that this decision has been taken in view of the strong ties and strategic partnership between the two countries. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh welcomed the decision saying it would benefit over two million people living in Saudi Arabia.
According to experts, visa applicants were facing many problems due to the requirement of PCC. Since the medical certificate is necessary for a visa and it is issued only for three months. If it takes more time to obtain PCC, it becomes necessary to take a fresh medical certificate and an additional amount has to be spent.
The discussion on this issue was going on since the time PM Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia in the year 2019. After this, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and the Saudi Foreign Minister had a detailed discussion about this.
PCC is issued to Indian passport holders applying for overseas employment, long-term residency or immigration. It is not mandatory for a tourist visa.
PCC is mandatory for visa seekers for employment and a long stay in 16 countries of the world including Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Indonesia, Kuwait, Jordan, Libya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Sudan, Syria, Thailand and Yemen. For Saudi Arabia, this imperative is now over.
