During a recent period spanning from February 27th to March 5th, 2025, joint field campaigns in all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led to the apprehension of a total of 20,749 violators of various regulations related to residency, work, and border security.
A breakdown of the results reveals the following:
– A total of 20,749 violators were apprehended during the joint security field campaigns, including 13,871 violators of residency regulations, 3,517 violators of border security regulations, and 3,361 violators of work regulations.
– Among those caught attempting to cross the borders into the Kingdom, 1,051 individuals were intercepted, with 43% Yemeni, 54% Ethiopian, and 3% of other nationalities. Additionally, 90 individuals were apprehended trying to illegally exit the Kingdom.
– Twelve individuals involved in transporting, harboring, and employing violators of residency, work, and border security regulations were arrested.
– Currently, a total of 40,173 violators, including 35,862 men and 4,311 women, are undergoing the necessary procedures to enforce the regulations.
– Furthermore, 32,375 violators have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 2,576 violators have been directed to complete their travel reservations, and 10,024 violators have been deported.
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that anyone facilitating the entry, transportation, shelter, or provision of any aid or service to violators of the Kingdom’s border security regulations faces severe penalties. These penalties include up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to one million riyals, confiscation of the means of transportation and housing used for sheltering the violators, as well as public exposure. The Ministry highlighted that this crime is considered a serious offense warranting arrest, as it undermines integrity and trust, urging individuals to report any violations by dialing 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.
