Saudi Arabia detains over 13,000 residency and border security violators

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior announced the detention of 13,822 individuals for violating residency, labor, and border security regulations during a one-week period from October 8 to October 14, 2026.

The breakdown of violators includes 6,547 individuals violating residency laws, 3,896 violating border security regulations, and 3,379 violating labor laws. Security forces also intercepted 2,021 people attempting to enter the country illegally and 28 people attempting to exit via irregular means. Additionally, 24 individuals were apprehended for involvement in transporting, sheltering, or operating in support of violators.

Currently, 34,834 expatriates are undergoing legal procedures, consisting of 32,433 men and 2,401 women. Of these, 20,190 have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 6,509 are completing travel arrangements, and 9,454 have been deported. The Ministry warned that facilitating illegal border crossings or providing shelter can result in up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to one million riyals, and the confiscation of vehicles and housing.