Passports: 17,000 decisions issued against violators of residency and work regulations in Saudi Arabia
The General Directorate of Passports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the issuance of 17,767 administrative decisions through its administrative committees in various regions of the Kingdom during the month of Jumada al-Thani 1447 AH. These decisions come within the framework of the ongoing efforts exerted by the Ministry of Interior to apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations. The penalties included both citizens and residents found to be involved in various legal violations.
Details of penalties and legal procedures
The administrative decisions issued varied, ranging from prison sentences and fines to the deportation of violating expatriates and banning them from re-entering the Kingdom for periods specified by law. The administrative committees at the Passport Office work almost daily to review cases referred to them by field enforcement agencies, ensuring the firm and fair application of regulations, thereby strengthening the rule of law and the prestige of the state.
Context of security campaigns and their importance
These statistics are part of joint field campaigns conducted by Saudi security agencies under the slogan "A Nation Without Violators," a national strategy aimed at eliminating the phenomenon of undocumented workers and those violating border security regulations. These campaigns are of paramount importance in maintaining national security, as apprehending violators contributes to reducing crime rates and protecting the national economy from commercial concealment and irregular employment, which negatively impact market competitiveness and job opportunities for citizens and legal residents.
Strict warnings against concealment and harboring
In a related context, the General Directorate of Passports reiterated its strong warnings to all citizens and residents, including business owners and individuals, against involvement in transporting, employing, or harboring violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations. The Directorate emphasized that concealing these violators or providing them with any form of assistance, whether in terms of housing, transportation, or employment opportunities, constitutes a serious crime punishable by law. Saudi regulations stipulate that penalties for those who facilitate the entry of border security violators or harbor them can include lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, public shaming, and confiscation of any vehicles used for transportation or accommodation.
Call for cooperation and reporting
The General Directorate of Passports concluded its statement by calling on all members of society to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a safe and law-abiding community, emphasizing that citizens and residents are the first line of defense. It urged everyone to immediately report any suspected violations of residency, labor, and border security regulations through the designated official channels by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Madinah regions, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Directorate stressed that all reports are treated with complete confidentiality and that the reporter bears no legal responsibility.
