Saudi Arabia deports 10,827 illegal residents in one week under 'A country without a violator' campaign
Ministry of Interior reports 14,440 arrests for residency, labour and border violations during July 30-August 5 operations, as Kingdom intensifies enforcement under Vision 2030 labour reforms.
Saudi Arabia deports 10,827 illegal residents in a week amid intensified crackdowns
Saudi Arabia deported 10,827 illegal residents during the week of July 30 to August 5, the Ministry of Interior announced, as part of the nationwide 'A country without a violator' security campaign targeting irregular expatriates across the Kingdom.
The deportations followed coordinated enforcement operations that resulted in 14,440 arrests for violations of residency, labour and border security regulations. Security authorities conducted joint inspection campaigns in coordination with relevant government agencies throughout the week-long period.
Among those detained, 7,090 were charged with residency law violations, 3,932 with border security breaches and 3,418 with labour law infractions. The ministry reported that 18,131 violators had been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 6,357 were completing travel arrangements ahead of deportation.
The enforcement operations reflect intensified scrutiny following revised labour law penalties that took effect in February 2026, which significantly strengthened compliance obligations for employers. The updated framework imposes a SAR 10,000 fine per violation for employing foreign workers without valid authorization.
Border security arrests
Authorities arrested 1,593 people attempting illegal entry into the Kingdom during the reporting period. Ethiopian nationals comprised 59 per cent of those detained at border crossings, while Yemeni nationals accounted for 40 per cent, with the remaining 1 per cent from other countries. Saudi Arabia hosts approximately 750,000 Ethiopian nationals, with international migration data indicating that around 450,000 entered the country through irregular channels.
Security forces also detained 32 individuals attempting to leave Saudi Arabia unlawfully and arrested 25 people accused of transporting, sheltering or employing illegal residents.
The ministry said 32,012 expatriates are currently undergoing legal procedures, including 29,995 men and 2,017 women.
Penalties and enforcement framework
Saudi authorities maintain strict penalties for those facilitating illegal immigration. Border security and residency violations carry sentences of up to 15 years imprisonment and fines reaching SR1 million, with confiscation of vehicles or property used in the offences. Separate provisions for labour and residency law violations impose fines up to SR100,000 and imprisonment for up to six months for transporting, employing or sheltering violators.
The enforcement campaign operates within the context of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 labour market reforms, which include Saudization policies through the Nitaqat program requiring businesses to employ minimum proportions of Saudi citizens. The Kingdom's unemployment target for Saudi nationals of 7 per cent by 2030 has driven increased oversight of residency and employment regulations.
Saudi Arabia's total population stands at approximately 36-37 million, with expatriates comprising about 40 per cent of residents, making it one of the largest expatriate communities globally. The 2021 Labour Reform Initiative dismantled the kafala sponsorship system, giving expatriate workers greater freedom to change jobs and travel without employer consent, aligning the Kingdom's practices with international standards.
The Ministry of Interior urged members of the public to report violations through designated emergency numbers across the Kingdom, emphasizing continued monitoring and enforcement of immigration and labour regulations.
