How to Immigrate to Saudi Arabia from Philippines in 2026

All Filipino workers deploying to Saudi Arabia must process through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW): (1) secure a job offer through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency — there are approximately 1,200 licensed agencies in the Philippines, (2) undergo Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) — 1 day, fee PHP 100, (3) obtain an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) — free through BM Online system, (4) complete medical examination at a DOH-accredited clinic — cost PHP 3,000-5,000, (5) register with OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) — membership fee PHP 1,275 for 2-year coverage. The recruitment agency handles Saudi visa processing. Under Philippine law (RA 10022), workers must pay ZERO placement fees for Saudi domestic work. For skilled workers, the maximum placement fee is one month's salary. Any agency charging beyond this is illegal — report to DMW hotline 1348. The entire process takes 4-8 weeks from job offer to deployment. The DMW processes approximately 250,000-300,000 workers to Saudi Arabia annually.

Salaries vary widely by profession. Healthcare (nurses): SAR 5,000-12,000/month (PHP 75,000-180,000). Engineering: SAR 8,000-20,000/month. IT professionals: SAR 8,000-18,000/month. Construction skilled trades: SAR 3,000-6,000/month. Domestic workers: SAR 1,500-2,500/month (minimum SAR 1,500 under bilateral agreement). Hospitality: SAR 3,000-7,000/month. All salaries are tax-free. Most packages include accommodation (company housing or allowance), transport, and annual flight home. End-of-service gratuity equals half month salary per year of service.