Moving to Saudi Arabia from the Philippines: what should I check before accepting a job?

Before you accept, check the visa on MOFA's platform yourself, know what the Saudi Labor Law says your employer pays, and get the contract terms in writing; for community tips, Filipino residents already here are the best people to ask.

Check the visa and fees

• Look up the visa reference with MOFA's inquiry about submitted applications.
• Article 40 of the Labor Law puts recruitment fees, iqama and work permit fees and their renewal, exit re-entry fees and your ticket home at the end of the job on the employer.
• Your own government has its own requirements for citizens working overseas, so check with the relevant Philippine government office before you travel.

Know your working conditions

• Article 98: no more than 8 actual working hours a day or 48 a week, reduced to 6 a day or 36 a week for Muslim workers in Ramadan.
• Article 109: at least 21 days of paid annual leave, rising to 30 after five continuous years with the same employer.

If you work in healthcare

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties requires professional classification and registration before you practise, applied for through Mumaris+; classification can be started from abroad.

Sending money home

SAMA requires bank-affiliated remittance centres to agree the fee and exchange rate with you before completing a transfer.

Official sources

• Saudi Labor Law, Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers (Arabic, current text)
• MOFA: Query About Application Submitted to MoFA
• Saudi Commission for Health Specialties: Mumaris FAQ
• SAMA Rulebook: Rules of Receiving Financial Transfers for Remittance or Currency Exchange

On Saudi Expats: our guide to living in Saudi Arabia and the work visa document checklist.

Checked September 2026. These are Saudi rules for all expatriate workers; nationality-specific requirements come from your own government.

Are you a Filipino resident in Saudi Arabia? Share your experience below: how did you find community and support when you arrived?