Over 14,700 residency, labor and border violations recorded in Saudi Arabia in one week

Joint field campaigns to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations, conducted across all regions of Saudi Arabia from September 10 to 16, 2026, resulted in the arrest of 14,782 offenders. The violations included breaches of residency, labor, and border security laws.

According to the Ministry of Interior, there were 7,438 violations of residency regulations, 3,782 violations of border security regulations, and 3,562 violations of labor regulations.

Border crossing and transport statistics

The ministry reported that 1,450 individuals were apprehended while attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia illegally, of whom 43% were Yemeni nationals, 56% Ethiopian nationals, and 1% from other nationalities. Additionally, 25 people were caught attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.

Authorities also detained 23 individuals for involvement in transporting, harboring, employing, or concealing violators.

Legal procedures and deportations

Currently, 31,075 violators are undergoing legal procedures, including 29,171 men and 1,904 women. A total of 18,986 violators have been referred to their diplomatic missions to complete travel documentation, 3,834 have been referred to finalize travel bookings, and 12,635 have been deported.

Warnings and penalties

The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone facilitating the entry, transport, harboring, or assistance of border security violators faces penalties of up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to 1 million riyals (SAR), confiscation of vehicles and residences used, and public naming.

The ministry added that this offense is considered a major crime warranting detention and is deemed dishonorable and untrustworthy. The public is urged to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in other regions.