Saudi Arabia has intensified its stance against the withholding of passports by sponsors. Renowned Saudi lawyer, Zyad Al Shaalan, has issued a stern warning that any sponsor found guilty of retaining an expatriate’s passport could face severe legal consequences. According to Al Shaalan, such an act is considered a grave offense, equating to human trafficking under Saudi law, and is punishable by up to 15 years in prison along with a maximum fine of SR1 million.
This announcement, shared via Al Shaalan’s TikTok account, comes amidst a series of reforms aimed at improving the conditions for the large community of foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, which has a population of approximately 32.2 million. The Saudi authorities have recently introduced facilities to ease the lives of expatriates. Notably, foreign residents with exit/re-entry visas can now return to Saudi Arabia until the last day of their visa validity. The General Directorate of Passports has also enabled the electronic extension of exit/re-entry visas for those outside the country, accessible through the Absher platform or Muqeem portal.
These changes are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to regulate its labor market and enhance its appeal as a workplace. In 2020, the kingdom undertook significant labor reforms, overhauling its sponsorship system to offer greater mobility and independence to expatriate workers. These reforms, effective from the following year, have facilitated job mobility, allowing workers to switch employers upon the completion of their binding work contract without needing the current employer’s consent. Additionally, the exit and re-entry visa reforms now permit expatriate workers to travel outside Saudi Arabia without their employers’ approval, provided they submit a formal request.
