Saudi authorities have intensified their efforts to enforce residency, labor, and border laws, uncovering 21,222 violations during a sweeping crackdown from February 13 to February 19.
The violations break down as follows: 13,202 related to residency infractions, 4,911 tied to border security breaches, and 3,109 concerning labor law violations.
As part of the enforcement drive, officials apprehended 1,376 individuals attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Among them, 40 percent were Yemeni nationals, 58 percent were Ethiopians, and 2 percent belonged to other nationalities. Additionally, 86 individuals were caught attempting to exit the country unlawfully.
Authorities also arrested 22 people accused of facilitating illegal residency and border crossings by transporting, sheltering, or employing violators. Officials underscored that such offenses are considered serious crimes and carry severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles and properties used in these activities.
Currently, 40,519 expatriates—36,213 men and 4,306 women—are undergoing legal procedures. Of these, 30,874 were ordered to contact their embassies for travel documentation, 3,910 were directed to finalize departure arrangements, and 10,170 have already been repatriated.
Authorities urged residents to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern region, or 999 and 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.
