[REVISION HISTORY]

Saudi crackdown and Yemeni status regularization

Updated 12 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-21 03:55 UTC → 2026-10-24 13:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following a series of large-scale enforcement actions in late June and throughout August 2026, Saudi Arabian authorities continued their crackdown on residency, labor, and border security violations. Between August 13 and August 19, 2026, joint field campaigns resulted in the apprehension of 14,260 individuals, including 6,900 residency violators, 3,982 border security violators, and 3,378 labor law violators. A subsequent week from August 20 to August 26, 2026, saw the detention of 14,434 individuals. From August 27 to September 2, 2026, joint field campaigns resulted in the apprehension of 14,165 individuals. This included 7,121 residency permit infractions and 3,636 border security violations. During this period, authorities intercepted 1,315 illegal entrants, primarily from Ethiopia (58%) and Yemen (41%). In ~~a week-long series of campaigns~~ late September, enforcement continued with 13,628 apprehensions from September 17 to September 23, ~~2026, authorities apprehended 13,628 individuals.~~ consisting of 6,593 residency, 3,531 border security, and 3,504 labor law violators. From September 24 to September 30, 2026, ~~a further campaign led to the apprehension of~~ authorities arrested 11,819 ~~individuals.~~ individuals, including 5,793 residency violators and 3,307 border security breaches. During this week, 1,382 illegal entrants were intercepted, comprising 61% Ethiopians and 38% Yemenis. In ~~early October, enforcement continued with 13,889 apprehensions reported for the period of October 1 to October 7, 2026. From~~ mid-October, joint field campaigns from October 8 15 to October ~~14,~~ 21, 2026, ~~the Ministry of Interior announced~~ led to the detention of ~~13,822 individuals. During these operations, authorities~~ 13,905 individuals: 6,554 residency violators, 3,865 border security violators, and 3,486 labor law violators. Authorities also intercepted ~~various numbers of~~ 1,881 illegal ~~entrants, frequently comprising a majority of Ethiopians and a significant portion of Yemenis.~~ entrants during this period. On October 10, 2026, the Saudi General Directorate of Passports announced a two-month initiative, beginning October 11, to regularize the legal status of Yemeni nationals residing irregularly in the Kingdom. Following directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz and a request from Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi, the program offers several options, including free six-month visit visas for those without valid passports via the Absher platform. Additionally, the Qiwa platform detailed mechanisms for Yemeni professional workers to regularize their status.

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