Over 14,400 Residency & Labor Violators Arrested

More than 14,400 people who violated residency, labor and border-security regulations were arrested in raids carried out across the Kingdom, The campaign covered multiple regions and targeted individuals who breached residency and work rules, as well as institutions involved in unlawful employment.

The arrests come as authorities continue to actively enforce penalty schedules and issue public warnings. For residents and employers, understanding the current fees and fines is essential to staying compliant.

Fees and penalties to know

Annual iqama renewal in most private-sector cases costs SAR 500 for one year, processed through أبشر or مقيم when the sponsor or employer is eligible, with the fee paid before processing. Re-entry permits issued inside the Kingdom cost SAR 200 for two months, then SAR 100 multi-entry permits are SAR 500 for three months plus SAR 200

Penalties for non-compliance are significant. Allowing an iqama to expire carries a SAR 1,000 fine for the first instance, SAR 2,000 for the second and SAR 3,000 for the third, with referral for deportation on repeated violations. Overstaying an entry or visit visa can lead to fines up to SAR 50,000, imprisonment of up to six months and deportation.

Working for an employer other than the registered sponsor is penalized with SAR 10,000 for a first offense, rising to SAR 25,000 and one month in jail for a second, and SAR 50,000 and six months for a third, with deportation for expatriates. Institutions that harbor, transport or employ border violators face fines up to SAR 50,000, and up to SAR 100,000

Residents can verify their status and process services through أبشر, employers through مقيم, and labor-market matters through قوى. Note that the re-entry and residency permit fees doubled in 2023 and remain at the higher level in the 2026 listings, and the penalty schedules apply after expiry or repeated non-compliance.

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