Saudi Arabia records 13,628 residency, labor and border violations in September 17–23 inspections
RIYADH, September 26, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Saudi authorities recorded 13,628 violations of residency, labor and border security regulations during inspections across the Kingdom from September 17 to 23, the Ministry of Interior said.
The total comprised 6,593 residency violations, 3,531 border security violations and 3,504 labor law violations.
Border authorities apprehended 1,197 people attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. The ministry said 36% were Yemeni, 63% Ethiopian and 1% of other nationalities. Authorities also arrested 27 people attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally and 22 people accused of transporting, sheltering or employing violators.
The ministry said 31,398 expatriates — 29,018 men and 2,380 women — were undergoing procedures to enforce the regulations. It reported that 18,549 people had been instructed to contact their embassies or consulates for travel documents, 3,815 had been advised to arrange travel, and 12,628 had been repatriated.
The ministry warned that facilitating illegal entry, transporting people who entered illegally or providing them with shelter or other assistance could carry a prison term of up to 15 years and a fine of up to SAR1 million. Vehicles used for transport and properties used for shelter could also be confiscated, it said.
It urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Region, or 999 or 996 elsewhere in the Kingdom.
