Over 15,000 Violators Arrested in One Week in Saudi Arabia

Saudi authorities arrested 15,288 people for violating residency, labor, and border security regulations during a nationwide crackdown carried out between June 11 and June 17,

The total included 7,864 residency violators, 4,576 border security violators, and 2,848 people who breached labor regulations. A total of 1,668 individuals were arrested while attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, of whom 53% were Ethiopian, 46% were Yemeni, and 1% were of other nationalities. A further 54 people were caught trying to leave the country illegally.

Authorities also arrested 24 individuals accused of transporting, sheltering, or employing violators. During the same period, 10,458 illegal residents were deported, while 15,109 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, and 1,979 were referred to complete their travel bookings. Around 23,587 expatriates were undergoing procedures to enforce legal measures against them.

Penalties and how to report

Facilitating illegal entry — including transporting or sheltering violators — carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 1,000,000, and the confiscation of vehicles and property used in the offense.

Residents and citizens can report suspected violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. The continued campaigns underline the importance for expatriates of keeping residency and labor documents valid and working only for their registered sponsors to avoid legal consequences.

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