Over 11,500 violators of residency, labor and border laws arrested in Saudi Arabia in one week
Joint security campaigns across Saudi Arabia led to the arrest of 11,587 violators of residency, labor, and border regulations in a single week, the Interior Ministry said.
Key Takeaways
AIThe Ministry of Interior announced that joint field campaigns to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations across all regions of the Kingdom, conducted from 18 to 24 Jumada Al-Awwal 1448 AH (corresponding to October 29 to November 4, 2026), resulted in the arrest of 11,587 violators.
The ministry clarified that among those arrested, 6,043 were in violation of residency regulations, 3,191 violated border security laws, and 2,353 violated labor regulations.
Authorities also apprehended 1,678 people attempting to cross the border into Saudi Arabia illegally, in addition to 18 individuals trying to leave the Kingdom unlawfully.
Security forces arrested 29 people involved in transporting, harboring, employing, or concealing violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations.
The Ministry of Interior noted that 41,106 violators are currently undergoing legal procedures, including 38,813 men and 2,293 women.
A total of 23,193 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 9,139 were completing travel arrangements, and 9,589 violators were deported.
The ministry stressed that facilitating the entry, transport, harboring, or assistance of border security violators is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million riyals (SAR), in addition to confiscation of vehicles and property used, and public naming of offenders.
It explained that this crime is classified as a major offense warranting detention and is considered dishonorable and a breach of trust. The ministry urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 or 996 in other regions.
