Riyadh, September 14, 2024 – From September 5 to September 8, the Ministry of Interior conducted a series of inspection campaigns throughout the Kingdom aimed at enforcing residency, labor, and border security regulations. The inspections resulted in the identification of 22,373 violations, including 14,216 related to residency laws, 4,943 concerning border security, and 3,214 regarding labor laws.
During these operations, 1,507 individuals were caught attempting to illegally enter the Kingdom. Of these, 46% were Yemeni, 53% Ethiopian, and 1% were from other nationalities. Additionally, 80 people were apprehended for attempting to leave the Kingdom unlawfully. Seven individuals involved in the illegal transport, sheltering, and employment of violators were arrested.
Currently, 15,536 expatriates (14,203 men and 1,333 women) are undergoing procedures to comply with regulations. Out of those detained, 6,395 individuals were advised to reach out to their embassies or consulates for proper travel documentation, 2,030 were instructed to arrange their departure, and 13,475 have been repatriated.
The Ministry has warned that anyone involved in facilitating illegal entry, transport, or sheltering of undocumented individuals faces severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to SAR 1 million. Additionally, vehicles or properties used in these activities may be confiscated. The Ministry urges the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in other areas of the Kingdom.