Penalty for delaying reporting the departure of expatriates: imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 riyals

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The General Directorate of Public Security in Saudi Arabia issued a strongly worded warning regarding the legal obligations of employers, revealing a set of strict penalties that will be imposed on anyone who fails to report the departure of their sponsored workers after the expiry of their entry visas. This announcement comes as part of the Ministry of Interior's ongoing efforts to apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations.

Details of the prescribed penalties

Public security clarified that failure to report the departure of expatriates within the specified time exposes the sponsor to legal accountability, as the following penalties will be applied to him:

Financial penalty: up to 50,000 Saudi Riyals.
Imprisonment: A penalty that deprives one of liberty for a period of up to six months.
Deportation: If the violating sponsor is an expatriate (resident), he will be permanently deported from the Kingdom after the penalty is carried out.

Organizational context and security campaigns

These decisive measures are an extension of the ongoing security and field campaigns conducted by the relevant authorities under the slogan "A Nation Without Violators." These campaigns aim to strengthen compliance with the Kingdom's regulations and laws, and to eliminate the phenomenon of undocumented or overstaying workers, which can pose a security, economic, and social burden. Saudi authorities regularly emphasize the necessity for citizens and residents to adhere to the regulations and to refrain from harboring, sheltering, or transporting violators.

The importance of commitment and its impact on national security

The obligation to promptly report the departure of expatriate workers is a cornerstone of maintaining internal security and regulating the labor market. Delays in reporting contribute to the exacerbation of the problem of residency violators, negatively impacting the Kingdom's development and economic plans. Through these regulations, the Kingdom seeks to ensure a regulated environment free of violations, thereby strengthening social stability and protecting the rights of all parties.

The role of electronic services in facilitating procedures

The Saudi Ministry of Interior, through its "Absher" electronic platform, has provided easy and convenient channels for employers to report the departure of their sponsored employees, renew their visas, or issue exit/re-entry and final exit visas with ease. This digital transformation eliminates any excuses related to the complexity of procedures, as all transactions can be completed electronically without the need to visit security offices, thus placing full responsibility on the employer in case of any negligence.