Nearly 12,000 violators of residency, labor, and border laws arrested in one week

The Ministry of Interior announced that joint field campaigns to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations, conducted across all regions of the Kingdom from November 5 to 11, 2026, resulted in the arrest of 11,952 individuals.

The ministry clarified that the detainees included 6,163 violators of residency regulations, 3,225 violators of border security regulations, and 2,564 violators of labor regulations.

During the same period, 1,653 people were caught attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally, while 29 individuals were apprehended trying to leave the country unlawfully.

Authorities also arrested 15 people involved in transporting, harboring, employing, or concealing violators.

Currently, 40,762 violators are undergoing legal procedures, including 38,383 men and 2,379 women.

The ministry noted that 22,451 violators have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 9,800 are completing travel arrangements, and 11,418 have been deported.

The Ministry of Interior stressed that anyone facilitating the entry, transport, shelter, or provision of assistance or services to violators of border security regulations faces penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million riyals (SAR), along with the confiscation of vehicles and accommodations used in the offense, and public naming.

The ministry emphasized that this crime is considered a major offense warranting detention and is a breach of honor and trust. It urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in other regions.