Working in Saudi Arabia for Filipinos 2026 — Jobs, Kafala & Worker Rights
Saudi Arabia hosts the largest Filipino worker community with approximately 1.2 million OFWs. While the kingdom has undergone significant labour reforms under Vision 2030 — including changes to the Kafala system and improved domestic worker protections — understanding your rights and the local employment landscape remains essential.
Employment in Saudi Arabia
| Category | Typical Salary (SAR/month) | USD Equivalent | Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Worker (HSW) | SAR 1,500-2,500 | USD 400-667 | Household, nanny, driver |
| Healthcare | SAR 5,000-15,000 | USD 1,333-4,000 | Nursing, medical tech, caregiving |
| Engineering | SAR 6,000-20,000 | USD 1,600-5,333 | Construction, petroleum, civil |
| IT/Technical | SAR 5,000-18,000 | USD 1,333-4,800 | Software, networking, support |
| Retail/Hospitality | SAR 2,500-6,000 | USD 667-1,600 | Sales, hotel, restaurant |
| Construction | SAR 1,500-4,000 | USD 400-1,067 | Carpentry, welding, masonry |
Saudi Arabia has no income tax for employees. All salary is take-home pay.
Kafala System & Reforms
Saudi Arabia has implemented significant reforms to the traditional Kafala (sponsorship) system under Vision 2030:
- Labour Mobility: Workers can now transfer between employers without the previous employer's consent in many cases
- Exit/Re-entry: Workers can obtain exit and re-entry visas without employer approval (via Absher/Qiwa)
- Wage Protection: Salary must be paid through the bank system (WPS — Wage Protection System)
- Contract must be in writing: Arabic and English versions
- MUSANED system: Online platform for domestic worker recruitment and contract management
Household Service Workers (HSW)
Special rules apply to Filipino domestic workers in Saudi Arabia:
- Minimum salary: USD 400/month (set by Philippine government bilateral agreement)
- Rest day: At least 1 day per week
- Working hours: Maximum 10 hours per day with rest breaks
- Employer provides: Accommodation, food, medical care, round-trip airfare
- Contract: 2 years, registered with both Philippine and Saudi governments
- Passport retention: Illegal — employer cannot confiscate your passport
Warning: If your employer confiscates your passport, withholds salary, or subjects you to abuse, contact the Philippine Embassy Riyadh immediately: +966 11-482-3559 or the POLO office.
Philippine Embassy Contacts in Saudi Arabia
| Office | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Philippine Embassy | Riyadh | +966 11-482-3559 |
| Philippine Consulate | Jeddah | +966 12-667-1944 |
| Philippine Consulate | Al Khobar | +966 13-895-9339 |
| POLO Riyadh | Riyadh | +966 11-482-3559 ext 120 |