25,362 Individuals Arrested for Violating Regulations Across Kingdom in Joint Field Campaigns in Past Week

Joint field campaigns to monitor and apprehend violators of residence, work, and border security regulations across the Kingdom resulted in the capture of 25,362 offenders from March 20 to March 26, 2025. The breakdown of the results is as follows:

Firstly, a total of 25,362 violators were apprehended, including 18,504 violators of the residence system, 4,004 violators of border security regulations, and 2,854 violators of the work system.

Secondly, 1,533 individuals were caught attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom, with 30% Yemeni nationals, 65% Ethiopian, and 5% other nationalities. Additionally, 62 people were apprehended trying to cross the border out of the Kingdom illegally.

Thirdly, nine individuals were arrested for transporting, sheltering, and employing violators of residence, work, and border security regulations, as well as concealing them.

Fourthly, a total of 36,251 violators, including 34,729 men and 1,522 women, are currently undergoing enforcement procedures.

Fifthly, 27,576 violators were referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 2,315 were referred to finalize their travel reservations, and 12,066 were deported.

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that anyone facilitating the entry, transit, shelter, or provision of any assistance or services to violators of border security regulations in the Kingdom is subject to penalties of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to one million riyals, confiscation of the means of transport and accommodation used for shelter, in addition to public humiliation. This crime is considered a grave offense warranting arrest, undermining dignity and trust. The Ministry urged reporting any violations by calling 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 and 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.