OFWs in Saudi Arabia 2026: Riyadh, Jeddah, MWO Guide
Quick answer
Saudi Arabia has two Philippine posts. The Embassy in Riyadh covers the central, eastern and northern regions; the Consulate General in Jeddah covers the west and south, including Makkah, Madinah and Abha. Labor, OWWA and exit clearance matters go to three Migrant Workers Offices (MWO): Riyadh, Eastern Region in Al Khobar, and Jeddah. Near Riyadh and in the Eastern Province, regular passport renewals go through VFS Global for SAR 240.
What are the requirements?
- Your Philippine passport and iqama, with photocopies.
- Cash in Saudi riyals. The Embassy in Riyadh does not accept debit or credit cards.
- Modest clothes. The Embassy turns away visitors in sando, shorts or slippers.
How do you apply, step by step?
1. Find your post and your MWO from the region lists below
Each office serves only its own area.
2. For a passport, book with VFS Global or join an Embassy outreach
3. For contract verification or OWWA, contact your MWO by email or hotline to book
4. Keep every receipt until your document is released
Which post covers your region
| Post | Regions it covers |
|---|---|
| Embassy in Riyadh | Riyadh, Eastern Province (Dammam, Khobar, Jubail, Al-Ahsa, Hafar Al-Batin), Qassim, Hail, Northern Borders, Al-Jouf |
| Consulate General in Jeddah | Makkah (Jeddah, Makkah, Taif), Madinah (including Yanbu), Tabuk, Abha (Asir), Jizan, Najran, Baha |
Services at the embassy and consulate
- Passport renewal, replacement of lost or damaged passports, extensions and travel documents.
- Notarial work: acknowledgments, special power of attorney and authentication of documents from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Riyadh Embassy charges SAR 100 per document.
- Civil registry: report of birth, marriage and death.
- Police and NBI clearance help, including fingerprinting.
- Assistance to Nationals for non-labor cases: arrests, deaths and missing persons.
Local OFW resources
- MWO Riyadh: contract verification, Balik-Manggagawa, OWWA renewal and welfare cases for the central region. Hotline +966 50 285 0944. Email mwo_riyadh@dmw.gov.ph.
- MWO Eastern Region Operations (Al Khobar): the same services for the Eastern Province. Hotline +966 56 232 9926 (mwo_alkhobar@dmw.gov.ph).
- MWO Jeddah: for the western and southern regions, on Fajr Street, Al-Rehab, Jeddah. Email: mwo_jeddah@dmw.gov.ph.
- SSS: the Embassy's website lists SSS representative offices at the Embassy in Riyadh and at the Consulate General in Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia keeps reserving jobs for its citizens. In 2026 DMW issued Advisory No. 29 on the expansion of Saudization to 69 administrative support jobs. If you work in an office role, ask your employer how it affects your iqama. Before you sign with any agency for a Saudi job, check the agency on the DMW list.
Keep your benefits active from Saudi Arabia
- SSS: pay as an OFW member; the minimum monthly salary credit for OFWs is PHP 8,000. See SSS for OFWs.
- PhilHealth: 5% of your monthly income, from PHP 500 to PHP 5,000 a month, paid in full by you. See PhilHealth for OFWs.
- Pag-IBIG: see Pag-IBIG for OFWs.
- OWWA: membership is valid two years. See OWWA renewal in Saudi Arabia.
Going home for good
Get your end-of-service benefit computed before you leave, and keep your contract, payslips and exit papers. At home, read SSS for OFWs, Pag-IBIG for OFWs and OWWA membership and benefits for what you can claim.
How much does it cost?
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport renewal (ePassport) | SAR 240 | Same fee in Riyadh and Jeddah |
| Lost ePassport | SAR 700 | SAR 600 plus SAR 100 for the affidavit |
| Passport extension | SAR 100 | Emergency cases only |
| Travel document | SAR 120 | One-way travel home |
| Notarial or authentication, per document | SAR 100 | Riyadh Embassy |
How long does it take?
- Passport: about 6 to 8 weeks after encoding. The Riyadh Embassy advises booking your renewal at least 9 months before expiry.
- Lost passport: a 15-working-day waiting period comes before approval.
- Notarial work in Riyadh: ready the next working day, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Where do you apply?
- Embassy in Riyadh: Diplomatic Quarter, C3 Alradeef St., P.O. Box 94366, Riyadh 11693. Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Assistance to Nationals hotline: +966 56 989 3301.
- Consulate General in Jeddah: 4663 Fajr St., Al Rehab District 6, Jeddah. Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Hotline: +966 55 521 9613; consular hotline +966 55 521 9614.
- MWO Riyadh: 3267 Makkah Al Mukarramah Rd, Al Mutamarat, Riyadh 12711.
Recruitment agencies with approved job orders for Saudi Arabia (DMW list)
Frequently asked questions
Should I go to Riyadh or Jeddah?
It depends on where you live. Riyadh covers the central, eastern and northern regions. Jeddah covers Makkah, Madinah, Tabuk, Abha, Jizan, Najran and Baha.
Can I renew my passport inside the Embassy in Riyadh?
Regular renewals near Riyadh and in the Eastern Province go through VFS Global in Riyadh or Al Khobar. The Embassy also holds outreach missions in other cities.
Can MWO Riyadh help me if I live in Dammam?
No. Each MWO serves its own area. Dammam and the rest of the Eastern Province go to MWO Eastern Region Operations in Al Khobar.
Where do I go for a labor complaint?
Go to the MWO for your region. It offers mediation with your employer before a case goes to the Saudi labor office.
Does the Embassy accept cards?
No. The Riyadh Embassy takes cash in Saudi riyals only. There is an ATM about 200 meters away.
Who do I call in an emergency?
Call your post's hotline above. The DMW-OWWA hotline is 1348, or +632 1348 from outside the Philippines.
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