Over 14,000 violators of residency, labor, and border laws arrested across Saudi Arabia in one week

Joint field campaigns to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations were carried out across all regions of the Kingdom from 16/02/1448H (July 30, 2026) to 22/02/1448H (August 5, 2026), resulting in the following outcomes:

First: A total of 14,440 violators were arrested in the joint security campaigns throughout the Kingdom, including 7,090 for residency violations, 3,932 for border security violations, and 3,418 for labor law violations.

Second: Authorities apprehended 1,593 people attempting to illegally cross into the Kingdom—40% of whom were Yemeni nationals, 59% Ethiopian nationals, and 1% of other nationalities. Additionally, 32 individuals were caught trying to illegally exit the Kingdom.

Third: Twenty-five individuals were arrested for involvement in transporting, harboring, employing, or concealing violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations.

Fourth: Currently, 32,012 violators are undergoing procedures for implementing regulations, including 29,995 men and 2,017 women.

Fifth: A total of 18,131 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 6,357 were referred to complete travel bookings, and 10,827 were deported.

The Ministry of Interior stressed that anyone who facilitates the entry, transportation, shelter, or provision of any assistance or service to border security violators faces penalties of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to 1 million riyals (SAR), confiscation of vehicles and accommodation used for sheltering, and public naming. The ministry clarified that this crime is considered a major offense warranting detention and is a breach of honor and integrity. The public is urged to report violations by calling 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.