Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is changing its labor market to focus on skills. This means changes for foreign workers, such as Filipinos, with better movement and protection, but also stricter requirements for paperwork and qualifications.
The Middle East is seeing big changes in how people migrate for work. The Pathfinder Visa team has been watching these trends for over 30 years, and Saudi Arabia’s shift is a major one. By 2026, Saudi Arabia will have a system that values skills, education, and real experience over old-style sponsorship. To work in Saudi Arabia as a Filipino, you need to know more than just which forms to fill out. You have to understand a high-tech system that supports Saudi Vision 2030.
The link between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia for workers is still strong. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos are working in Saudi Arabia in construction, healthcare, and other services. The Saudi government has improved its rules for these workers to make sure it benefits everyone. This article explains these changes, giving a guide for Filipinos who want to work in Saudi Arabia, the biggest economy in the Middle East.
A New Way to Classify Workers by Skill
The most important change in Saudi Arabia’s rules for Filipino workers is the new skill-based system. This system, which started last year, puts foreign workers into three groups: high-skilled, skilled, and basic. This classification affects things like the lowest salary allowed and whether you can bring your family. For Filipinos, having a college degree and work experience is now very important.
Doctors, engineers, and IT experts are in the high-skilled group. They now need to make at least SAR 15,000 a month and have five years of experience. They also need to score high on a test from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Technicians and supervisors are in the skilled group, earning between SAR 7,000 and SAR 14,999. The basic group includes entry-level and manual jobs, starting at SAR 3,000. These levels have made hiring more open than before.
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Qiwa Platform and Digital Residency
Saudi Arabia is getting rid of paper forms. The Qiwa platform is key to the new rules for Filipino workers. It’s an online system for managing jobs and residency. Every work contract must be approved through Qiwa to be legal. This system makes sure that job terms are clear, registered with the government, and protected from changes by employers.
For Filipinos, the process starts when a Saudi employer makes a request on Qiwa. Once the worker accepts the contract online, the system connects it to their residency permit (Iqama). This has made things faster and gives workers a digital record of their status. You can also renew permits easily on the platform if the employer follows wage and labor rules.
More Freedom Through Labor Reform
One of the best changes to Saudi Arabia’s rules for Filipino workers is the expanded Labor Reform Initiative. This has removed the strictest parts of the old Kafala system. Now, Filipino workers have more freedom to change jobs. After their first contract, they can often move to a new employer without permission from the old one, as long as they follow the rules on Qiwa.
The rules for exit and re-entry permits have also been updated. Filipinos can now apply for these permits through the Absher platform, giving them more control over their travel and vacations. Also, final exit visas are now automatically approved when a contract ends, which has built trust between the Saudi government and foreign workers. These changes are meant to make Saudi Arabia a more attractive place for global talent, like those from the Philippines.
Checking Qualifications and DMW Protection
While Saudi Arabia has made it easier to enter the country, it is checking qualifications more carefully. The Professional Verification Program requires many Filipinos to pass tests to prove their skills before getting a work visa. For example, electricians or mechanics need to be certified by organizations in both the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. This ensures good quality work and that workers are placed in the right jobs.
At the same time, the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is still protecting its citizens. Saudi Arabia’s rules for Filipino workers are balanced by DMW rules, which require things like standard contracts and insurance. The DMW’s list of approved recruitment agencies is important for Filipinos looking to work abroad. By combining Saudi Arabia’s digital systems with the DMW’s oversight, both countries have made migration safer, reducing illegal recruitment and trafficking.
Wage Protection and Solving Disputes
Getting paid on time is a big concern for workers overseas. To fix this, Saudi Arabia has made its Wage Protection System (WPS) stronger. This system makes employers pay salaries through local banks, so the government can track payments. If an employer doesn’t pay on time, the system will flag it, and the company may not be able to hire new foreign workers. This has given Filipinos working in the private sector more financial security.
When there are disagreements, Saudi Arabia’s rules for Filipino workers now offer easier ways to resolve them. The Wedy program is an online service that tries to settle work disputes before they go to court. This means that Filipinos can resolve issues about overtime, leave, or contract problems quickly and without needing expensive lawyers. The fairness of these processes is a big reason why Saudi Arabia is still a popular destination for Filipino workers in 2026.
Fitting In Socially and the Future
As Saudi Arabia works toward its Vision 2030, it is focusing on long-term residency and social integration for talented people. The new premium residency options allow successful Filipinos like business owners and executives to live in Saudi Arabia without a sponsor. This system is like a green card and shows that Saudi Arabia wants to keep talented people who help the country’s economy.
The need for Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia is expected to increase, especially in renewable energy, tourism, and entertainment—industries that are important for the future. The current Saudi rules for Filipino workers are designed to help this while making sure everyone is treated fairly. For those of us who have worked in the visa business for years, it’s good to see a system that values workers as much as the work they do.
In Conclusion: Understanding the New Migration
The updated Saudi rules for Filipino workers are a mix of digital efficiency and reform. By using a skill-based system and giving workers more power through platforms like Qiwa and Absher, Saudi Arabia has brought its labor market into the 21st century. There are many opportunities for Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, but you need to understand the new rules. To succeed, you need to be skilled, have proof of your qualifications, and follow the online rules set by the Saudi Ministry and the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers. Looking ahead, the partnership between these two countries will continue to be a good example for labor migration around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saudi Labor Regulations
What are the primary salary tiers under the current Saudi immigration rules for Filipino workers?
The Saudi government has established a three-tier system based on skills and salary. High-skilled professionals generally earn upwards of SAR 15,000 per month and require advanced degrees. The skilled tier covers technical and supervisory roles with salaries between SAR 7,000 and SAR 14,999. The basic tier includes general labor and service roles with salaries typically starting at SAR 3,000. These tiers help determine eligibility for benefits like family sponsorship and residency renewals.
Can a Filipino worker change employers without the current sponsor’s permission?
Under the expanded Labor Reform Initiative, many workers can transfer to a new employer after completing their initial contract period. This process is managed through the Qiwa platform. While certain conditions must be met, such as providing a notice period, the requirement for an employer’s “No Objection Certificate” has been largely removed for those who have fulfilled their contractual obligations.
How does the Professional Verification Program affect Filipino applicants?
The Professional Verification Program requires workers in specific technical and vocational fields to pass a competency exam before their visa is issued. This test ensures that the worker possesses the necessary skills for their designated job title. For Filipinos, these exams are often coordinated between Saudi authorities and accredited testing centers in the Philippines to streamline the recruitment process.
What is the role of the Wage Protection System for OFWs?
The Wage Protection System is a mandatory electronic monitoring program that ensures all private-sector employees receive their salaries on time and in full. Employers must transfer wages through Saudi banks, which report the data to the Ministry of Human Resources. This system provides a digital paper trail that protects Filipino workers from wage theft and ensures that any delays are automatically flagged for government intervention.
Is an exit permit still required for Filipino workers leaving Saudi Arabia?
While a permit is still required, the process has been modernized. Workers can now apply for their own exit and re-entry permits through the Absher platform without needing their employer’s manual approval in many cases. Upon the completion of an employment contract, a final exit visa is typically granted automatically, allowing the worker to return to the Philippines with their full legal rights intact.