Saudi Arabia records 17,880 violations in week-long compliance inspections, interior ministry says

RIYADH, December 20, 2025 (SABN) – Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior said inspection campaigns carried out nationwide between Dec. 11 and 17 recorded 17,880 violations of residency, labor and border security regulations.

The ministry said 11,190 of the violations were linked to residency rules, 2,889 to labor laws and 3,801 to border security.

Border authorities also intercepted 1,509 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, the ministry said, adding that 44% were Yemenis, 55% Ethiopians and 1% other nationalities. Authorities detained a further 40 people for attempting to leave the country illegally, it said.

The ministry said 15 people were arrested for involvement in transporting, sheltering or employing violators.

A total of 29,771 expatriates are currently undergoing procedures to enforce regulations, including 28,198 men and 1,573 women, the ministry said.

It added that 20,282 individuals were detained and instructed to contact their embassies or consulates to obtain travel documents, while 5,080 were advised to make travel arrangements and 12,661 were repatriated.

The ministry warned that facilitating illegal entry, transporting violators within Saudi territory, or providing shelter, assistance or services can be punished by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 1 million, and said vehicles used for transport and properties used for shelter may be confiscated. It urged the public to report suspected violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 elsewhere in the Kingdom.