Saudi Arabia records 11,967 residency labour and border violations in one week
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
RIYADH, March 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia recorded 11,967 violations of residency, labour and border security laws during inspection campaigns carried out across the Kingdom between March 19 and 25, the Ministry of Interior said.
The total included 7,650 residency violations, 2,952 border security violations and 1,365 labour law violations.
Border authorities arrested 1,140 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, including 26% Yemenis, 71% Ethiopians and 3% of other nationalities. They also detained 42 people for attempting to leave the country illegally.
Authorities arrested 17 people accused of transporting, sheltering and employing violators.
The ministry said 32,957 expatriates, including 29,316 men and 3,641 women, are currently undergoing procedures to enforce the regulations.
It added that 23,238 violators were instructed to contact their embassies or consulates to obtain travel documents, while 3,416 were told to make travel arrangements and 5,111 were repatriated.
The ministry warned that anyone facilitating the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transporting them, sheltering them or providing assistance could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million, with vehicles and properties used in such acts also subject to confiscation.
