Saudi authorities have arrested more than 18,600 people in a nationwide crackdown on residency, labor, and border security violations, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday.
The week-long operation, which ran from April 3 to April 9, saw the coordinated efforts of various government agencies, leading to the apprehension of 18,669 individuals. The majority of the arrests—11,813—were for residency violations, followed by 4,366 for breaching border security laws and 2,490 for labor-related offenses.
The ministry reported that 1,497 individuals were caught trying to enter the Kingdom illegally. Most of them were Ethiopian nationals (69%), followed by Yemenis (27%), while the rest were from other countries. Authorities also intercepted 59 people attempting to leave Saudi Arabia without proper documentation.
Seventeen individuals were also arrested for allegedly helping violators by offering transportation, shelter, or employment. Officials warned that those caught aiding illegal residents could face penalties of up to 15 years in jail, a fine of SR1 million (about $266,000), and confiscation of vehicles or assets used in the act.
As part of the ongoing enforcement campaign, more than 25,000 individuals have been referred to their embassies for travel documentation, over 2,200 are being prepared for departure, and 8,126 have already been deported. The crackdown is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to regulate its labor force and secure its borders ahead of the 2025 Hajj season.
