Filipino Passport to Saudi Arabia — Visa Requirements 2026
Complete guide for Filipino passport holders travelling to Saudi Arabia — tourist e-Visa, OFW work visa, OEC, PDOS, Hajj/Umrah, costs, processing times, and the family visit visa for visiting OFW relatives.
Quick Answer
Filipino passport holders need a visa for Saudi Arabia. Two main paths: the Tourist e-Visafor tourism, family visits and Umrah (apply online at visa.visitsaudi.com, ~SAR 535, approval 24–72 hours); or the OFW Work Visa for employment, processed through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) with an OEC, PDOS, medical clearance and verified contract. Don't use a Tourist e-Visa to work — Saudi labour law requires an Iqama (residence permit) for any paid work.
Visa Required
Yes — choose visa type
Tourist e-Visa Cost
~$120–160 USD
Max Tourist Stay
90 days / 1 year multi
Processing Time
~1–3 business days
Saudi Visa Types for Filipino Passport Holders
Tourist e-Visa
Online application. 1-year multi-entry. 90 days per stay. Available to Filipino nationals.
Work Visa (OFW route)
Sponsored by a Saudi employer. Requires verified contract, POEA/DMW registration, medical clearance at DOH-accredited clinic, and PDOS attendance.
Hajj Visa
Required for Hajj pilgrimage. Issued through the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).
Family Visit Visa
For visiting family members already working in Saudi Arabia. Sponsored by the Iqama-holding family member.
How to Apply for Saudi Tourist e-Visa from the Philippines
- 1
Visit visa.visitsaudi.com and create an account with your email and Philippine passport number.
- 2
Complete the application form — personal details, travel plans, accommodation address in Saudi. Upload your passport bio page and a recent colour photo (white background).
- 3
Pay SAR 535 (≈$143 USD), including mandatory medical insurance. Credit/debit card accepted.
- 4
Receive your approved e-Visa by email within 24–72 hours. Print or save digitally and present with your passport at any Saudi airport.
Documents — OFW Work Visa Track
- Philippine passport valid for at least 6 months beyond travel dates with 2 blank pages
- Verified employment contract (POLO-Saudi approved)
- Saudi work visa (stamped in passport at Saudi embassy after contract approval)
- DOH-accredited medical certificate (Gamca-approved clinic)
- OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate) from DMW
- PDOS (Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar) certificate
- TESDA / industry training certificate (for skilled workers)
- PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, SSS contribution receipts
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Filipinos need an OEC to travel to Saudi Arabia?
If you're going to work, yes — every OFW deployed for the first time needs an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) from the DMW. The OEC verifies your contract, employer, and that you've completed pre-departure orientation (PDOS). Returning OFWs use Balik-Manggagawa (BM) registration online. If you're going purely as a tourist on the e-Visa, no OEC is needed — but BI may still ask you to prove you're not going to work.
Can Filipinos get a Saudi tourist e-Visa?
Yes — since 2019, Filipino nationals are eligible for the Saudi Tourist e-Visa. Cost is approximately SAR 535 ($143 USD) including mandatory medical insurance. It's valid for 1 year with multiple entries and allows stays of up to 90 days per visit. Apply online at visa.visitsaudi.com. Approval typically comes within 24–72 hours.
How long does an OFW work visa take to process from the Philippines?
Typically 8–14 weeks from signed contract to deployment: contract verification at the DMW → medical examination at a DOH-accredited clinic → POLO-Saudi contract approval → Saudi Embassy visa stamping → OEC issuance → PDOS attendance → flight booking. Expect to spend PHP 15,000–25,000 on documents, medical, training and processing fees that the employer should reimburse (Republic Act 10022).
What documents do Filipino OFWs need for Saudi?
Passport (3+ years validity recommended), verified employment contract, OEC, DOH medical certificate, Saudi work visa (in passport), DMW-approved POLO contract, training certificates (TESDA for skilled workers, Filipino household-service worker training for domestic workers), PDOS certificate, and proof of PhilHealth + Pag-IBIG + SSS contributions.
Can I switch employers in Saudi Arabia as a Filipino OFW?
Yes, with conditions. Under Saudi labour reforms (2021 Labor Reform Initiative), workers can transfer to a new employer without their current employer's no-objection certificate (NOC) if specific conditions are met (e.g. completed first year, unpaid wages, abuse complaint, expired contract). Process is through the Qiwa platform in Saudi Arabia. POLO-Riyadh and POLO-Jeddah can assist Filipino OFWs.
Can my family visit me in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, on a Family Visit Visa sponsored by you (the Iqama-holding family member). You apply through the Absher portal in Saudi Arabia. The visa is valid 90 days, extendable once. Your family will need: passport, your Iqama copy, employment certificate, salary certificate (minimum SAR 4,000+/month for sponsorship of multiple dependents), and proof of relationship (birth/marriage certificates).
Do Filipinos need a separate Umrah visa?
No — as of 2022, the Tourist e-Visa covers Umrah year-round (except during Hajj season). You can apply for the Tourist e-Visa at visa.visitsaudi.com and use it for Umrah. The previous separate Umrah visa system is no longer needed for general Umrah travel.
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