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The General Directorate of Passports announced that its regional committees across the Kingdom handed down the 22,894 decisions against both citizens and residents found in breach of the rules. These administrative measures encompassed penalties that included terms of imprisonment, fines and deportation proceedings. The directorate has pursued such enforcement consistently as part of wider efforts to uphold residency, labor and border security standards throughout Saudi Arabia.
A statement from the directorate urged citizens, residents, business owners and individuals to refrain from any involvement with violators, specifically warning against transporting, employing, sheltering, concealing or otherwise assisting them. It stressed that providing aid in securing work, housing or travel for those without proper documentation is strictly prohibited under the regulations. The directorate called for public cooperation in reporting suspected violations while guaranteeing complete confidentiality for informants who face no legal liability.
Earlier data released by the directorate showed it had taken 111,034 administrative decisions penalizing violators during the first six months of 2025, according to an August announcement covered by Zawya. That earlier period averaged more than 18,500 decisions monthly, with the latest single-month total of 22,894 indicating sustained or increased enforcement activity. The decisions form one element of a broader campaign that addresses both individual violations and those facilitating them.
Ministry of Interior campaigns have recorded thousands of violations on a weekly basis in related operations, with one December 2025 inspection drive identifying 17,880 cases as Arab News reported based on official tallies. That particular week broke down into 11,190 residency violations, 3,801 border security breaches and 2,889 labor infractions, illustrating the scale of compliance issues addressed through these efforts. A total of 29,771 expatriates were undergoing enforcement procedures at that time according to the ministry figures.
The General Directorate of Passports, which operates under the Ministry of Interior, has designated specific hotlines for reporting violations, directing callers to dial 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province while using 999 in all other regions. Its committees continue to process cases at passport offices nationwide as part of routine oversight of expatriate status and border movements. Such monthly decision volumes contribute to the directorate’s mandate of regulating residency permits and combating irregular labor and border activities.
In parallel with enforcement actions, the directorate has maintained its focus on streamlining legitimate residency transactions while targeting systemic violations that undermine regulatory frameworks. Official statements have consistently emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining compliance across all sectors of society. The latest figures underscore the ongoing nature of these administrative campaigns without indicating any shift in policy approach.
