Saudi Arabia arrests 15,000 residency and labor law violators

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 26, 2026

Saudi authorities arrested nearly 15,000 people during a weeklong campaign targeting violations of residency, labor, and border security laws. These arrests reflect continued government efforts to enforce regulatory compliance and maintain order within the kingdom.

Saudi authorities detained nearly 15,000 individuals for violating residency, labor, and border security regulations during coordinated inspection operations held from July 16 to July 22. The Ministry of Interior reported that a total of 14,970 people were arrested across the country as part of these campaigns.

Among those detained, 7,437 were found to be in breach of the Residency Law, while 3,991 were apprehended for violations related to the Border Security Law. Additionally, 3,542 individuals were arrested for infractions against the Labor Law.

The ministry did not provide further details regarding the specific nature of the violations or the nationalities of those arrested. These enforcement actions are part of ongoing efforts by Saudi authorities to ensure compliance with regulations governing residency status, labor practices, and border security within the kingdom.

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