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The Ministry of Interior reported that joint inspections by security forces and government agencies across the kingdom netted 14,260 violators over the seven-day period. Those detained included 6,900 individuals who breached residency regulations, 3,982 who violated border security rules and 3,378 who contravened labor laws. The ministry’s statement placed the combined total at precisely that figure, reflecting sustained enforcement activity that has become a weekly feature of efforts to regulate the expatriate workforce.
According to the ministry, 13,724 of those arrested were deported while operations continued. A further 18,808 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to secure necessary travel documents before departure. Another 5,386 individuals were directed to finalize travel reservations, completing the processing pipeline outlined in the August 22 update.
The ministry’s figures show that 1,524 of the arrests involved people attempting to cross into the kingdom illegally, with 36 percent identified as Yemeni nationals, 63 percent as Ethiopian and the remaining 1 percent from other countries. Authorities also detained 38 individuals who were trying to exit the kingdom through unauthorized routes. These border-related cases formed a distinct element within the broader campaign that targets both entry and residency infractions.
In addition, the ministry stated that 24 people were arrested for providing transportation, shelter or employment to violators. It warned that anyone facilitating such activities faces penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching 1 million Saudi riyals. The statement added that vehicles used in transport or properties employed for shelter would be subject to confiscation under the applicable regulations.
Ministry data placed the number of expatriates currently undergoing legal enforcement procedures at 31,922, including 29,961 men and 1,961 women. This pool reflects accumulated cases from the latest operation as well as prior weeks. The gender breakdown underscores that enforcement actions predominantly affect male workers while still encompassing a smaller but notable number of female violators.
The interior ministry urged the public to report violations using designated hotlines, specifying 911 for the Makkah, Riyadh and Eastern Province regions while directing other areas to use 999 or 996. Such calls feed directly into the inspection campaigns that produced the latest statistics. Officials have maintained these communication channels as a core component of community involvement in upholding residency and labor standards.
Comparable campaigns have produced similar outcomes in preceding weeks, the ministry has indicated in sequential statements. One operation in late July yielded more than 12,600 deportations after nearly 14,200 arrests, while an earlier drive in June resulted in roughly 8,000 removals, according to the ministry’s own prior releases. These recurring updates demonstrate a consistent policy aimed at curbing illegal residency and associated activities across multiple regions of the kingdom.
