The Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns in the Kingdom between October 10 to October 16 to ensure compliance with residency, labor and border security laws. The inspections yielded the following results: Across the Kingdom, 21,971 violations were recorded: 13,186 of residency, 5,427 of border security, and 3,358 of labor laws. Attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally were 1,421 individuals, of whom 34% were Yemenis, 64% Ethiopians, and 02% of other nationalities; 53 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. Eighteen people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were arrested. A total of 15,775 expatriates (13,885 men and 1,890 women) are currently undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations. Eight thousand, three hundred and seventy people were detained for violating laws and instructed to contact their countries' embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documentation; 2,054 were told to make booking arrangement s for their departure, and 12,355 were repatriated. The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter may be confiscated. The ministry stressed that such acts are major crimes that warrant arrest. It also urges people to report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. Source: Saudi Press Agency
Sunday, April 26, 2026