Saudi Arabia Records Over 13,000 Violations in Nationwide Residency, Labor, and Border Security Sweep

Riyadh, May 24 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday the results of a nationwide inspection campaign conducted between May 15 and 21 to enforce compliance with residency, labor, and border security regulations.

Authorities recorded a total of 13,118 violations across the Kingdom, including 8,150 related to residency laws, 3,344 to border security, and 1,624 to labor violations, according to an official statement.

The campaign also led to the arrest of 1,207 individuals attempting to illegally cross into Saudi Arabia. Of those, 61% were Ethiopians, 37% Yemenis, and 2% from other nationalities. An additional 94 individuals were detained for attempting to illegally exit the Kingdom.

Officials also arrested 13 individuals for their involvement in transporting, harboring, or employing violators of the Kingdom’s laws.

A total of 21,872 expatriates — including 20,616 men and 1,256 women — are currently undergoing procedures related to enforcement of regulations. Of these, 15,936 individuals were instructed to contact their consulates for travel documentation, 1,359 were advised to arrange bookings, and 11,566 have been repatriated.

The Ministry reiterated its warning that facilitating illegal entry, transport, or shelter of violators is a major offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to SAR 1 million. It added that vehicles and properties used in such activities may also be confiscated.

The Ministry urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.