Interior Ministry: 18,000 violators of residency and labor laws apprehended in one week

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The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the results of joint field campaigns conducted by various security sectors across the Kingdom, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance security and apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations. These intensive campaigns, which covered the period from January 1 to 7, 2026, resulted in the arrest of thousands of violators and the initiation of legal proceedings against them.

Details of security seizures and official figures

Official data revealed that the total number of violators apprehended during this week reached 18,836 , and the violations were distributed as follows:

11,710 Violators of the residency regulations.
4,239 In violation of border security regulations.
2,887 In violation of the work regulations.

These figures reflect the high level of security vigilance and effective field deployment of the competent authorities, with the aim of eliminating negative phenomena that affect the security and stability of society.

Border security and infiltration attempts

Regarding border security, the Ministry explained that campaigns resulted in the apprehension of 1,741 individuals attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally. Yemeni nationals constituted the largest group of these infiltrators at 39%, followed by Ethiopian nationals at 60%, while the remaining 1% were distributed among other nationalities. Additionally, 46 individuals were identified and apprehended while attempting to cross the border out of the Kingdom illegally.

Campaign context and its strategic importance

These campaigns are part of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to regulate the labor market and the presence of foreign workers, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030, which focuses on creating a regulated and safe environment. The “A Nation Without Violators” campaign is one of the most prominent initiatives that has contributed to rectifying the status of workers and reducing the number of violators, positively impacting the country’s economic and social security.

These efforts confirm the state’s commitment to firmly implementing regulations and not tolerating any practices that may disrupt security or violate sovereign laws, as border control and residency regulation are considered a fundamental pillar in preserving the nation’s resources and gains.

Deterrent penalties for those who conceal and transport goods

The campaigns targeted not only those directly violating the law but also those providing support; 19 individuals were arrested for their involvement in transporting, harboring, employing, and concealing violators. The Ministry of Interior reiterated its strong warnings that anyone facilitating the entry of border security violators or providing them with shelter or assistance will face severe penalties, including:

Imprisonment for up to 15 years.
A financial penalty of up to one million riyals.
Confiscation of the means of transport and the accommodation used for sheltering.
Defaming those who disagree.

The ministry indicated that these actions are considered major crimes warranting arrest and that violate honor and integrity.

Deportation and systematic processing procedures

Regarding the measures taken against those apprehended, 29,823 10,195 been deported .

Reporting and community engagement figures

Security authorities called on all citizens and residents to cooperate and report any violations of residency, labor and border security regulations by calling (911) in the Makkah, Riyadh and Eastern regions, and (999) and (996) in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions, stressing that the security of the homeland is everyone’s responsibility.