Saudi Arabia records 14,242 residency, labor and border violations in one week
- 12 hours ago
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JEDDAH, April 4, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Saudi Arabia recorded 14,242 violations of residency, labor and border security regulations during inspection campaigns carried out across the Kingdom between March 26 and April 1, the Ministry of Interior said.
The total included 7,884 residency violations, 3,948 border security violations and 2,410 labor-related violations, the ministry said.
Border authorities also arrested 1,449 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, including 27% Yemenis, 71% Ethiopians and 2% from other nationalities. Another 29 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
Authorities also detained 25 people accused of transporting, sheltering or employing violators.
The ministry said 36,365 expatriates, including 32,309 men and 4,056 women, were currently undergoing procedures to enforce the regulations.
It added that 23,815 violators had been instructed to contact their embassies or consulates to obtain travel documents, while 6,808 were told to make travel arrangements and 6,285 were repatriated.
The ministry warned that anyone facilitating illegal entry into the Kingdom, transporting violators, or providing shelter or assistance could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million riyals. Vehicles and properties used in such acts may also be confiscated.
It urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
