Saudi Arabia has deported more than 13,000 illegal residents in just one week following an intensified nationwide inspection campaign targeting violations of residency, labour, and border security laws, the Ministry of Interior said on Saturday.
The ministry reported that a total of 18,877 people were arrested between December 18 and December 24 during coordinated operations carried out across the Kingdom. The inspections involved Saudi security forces working alongside relevant government agencies and formed part of ongoing efforts to enforce immigration regulations and curb illegal employment.
According to official figures, the largest number of arrests were linked to residency violations. Authorities said 11,991 detainees were found to be in breach of residency laws. A further 3,808 individuals were arrested for violating border security regulations, while 3,078 people were detained for labour law offences.
Saudi authorities confirmed that deportation procedures are already well underway. A total of 13,241 individuals have been deported from the Kingdom following the inspections. In addition, 20,378 detainees were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain the necessary travel documents, while another 4,465 people were transferred to complete travel arrangements ahead of their departure.
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The Ministry of Interior said the inspection campaign was conducted nationwide and aimed at strengthening border control, regulating the labour market, and addressing illegal residency. Saudi Arabia hosts a large expatriate workforce, and enforcement campaigns are regularly carried out to ensure compliance with immigration and employment laws.
The crackdown also focused heavily on illegal border crossings. During the one-week period, 1,312 people were arrested while attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. The ministry said Ethiopian nationals accounted for 55 per cent of those detained, while Yemeni nationals made up 44 per cent. The remaining one per cent were from other nationalities.
In addition to illegal entry attempts, security forces arrested 46 individuals who were trying to leave the Kingdom illegally. Authorities said such cases pose security and regulatory challenges and are treated as serious violations under Saudi law.
Enforcement actions extended beyond migrants themselves to include individuals accused of facilitating illegal residency and movement. Fourteen people were arrested on charges of transporting, sheltering, or employing violators. Saudi officials said these activities enable illegal entry and residence and undermine the Kingdom’s regulatory framework.
At present, 28,937 expatriates are undergoing legal procedures ahead of enforcement measures, the ministry said. This group includes 27,259 men and 1,678 women. Legal procedures typically involve verifying identities, coordinating with diplomatic missions, and completing formalities before deportation.
The Ministry of Interior reiterated its warning that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry, transport, accommodation, or employment of violators could face severe penalties. These include prison sentences of up to 15 years and fines of up to SR1 million. Authorities also said vehicles used to transport violators and properties used to shelter them are subject to confiscation.
Saudi officials urged members of the public to cooperate with authorities by reporting violations. Residents can report cases by calling 911 in Mecca, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia regularly conducts large-scale inspection campaigns as part of broader efforts to enforce immigration laws, protect the labour market, and maintain internal security. Similar operations in recent years have resulted in tens of thousands of arrests and deportations, reflecting the scale and consistency of enforcement measures across the Kingdom.
The ministry said such campaigns will continue as part of its mandate to uphold public order and ensure compliance with residency and labour regulations. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that enforcement actions are aimed at addressing violations rather than targeting any specific nationality, and that legal pathways for residency and employment remain available through official channels