(SAUDI ARABIA) Saudi Arabia has sharply stepped up arrests and tightened deportation rules against residency law violators in 2025, with tens of thousands of people detained in large-scale operations across the kingdom. New figures from recent nationwide campaigns show authorities moving faster from arrest to removal, while warning anyone who helps irregular migrants that they face prison, heavy fines, and loss of property.
October and November 2025 nationwide operations
During what officials call the October 2025 Crackdown, carried out between October 9 and October 15, 2025, authorities arrested 23,094 individuals for breaking residency, labor, and border security laws.
- October breakdown (Oct 9–15, 2025):
- 13,604 held for residency violations
- 4,816 for border security breaches
- 4,674 for labor law offenses
In the week-long November operation from November 20 to November 26, 2025, another 21,134 people were detained.
- November breakdown (Nov 20–26, 2025):
- 13,128 for residency offenses
- 4,826 for border security violations
- 3,180 for labor rule breaches
Officials say these back-to-back drives show a tougher line on people who overstay visas, work without permits, or cross borders illegally.
Detention, deportation process, and outcomes
Once detained, people are moved to deportation centers, where cases proceed through administrative or judicial channels. Deportation orders are issued either by the Ministry of Interior or by the courts, depending on the violation and the person’s record.
Authorities have emphasized faster application of deportation rules, especially for:
– those found without legal status, and
– people who re-enter after a previous removal.
Before leaving Saudi Arabia, most detainees must secure travel papers from their home country’s embassy or consulate. Reported results:
| Period | Referred to embassies/consulates | Finalized travel plans | Deported |
|---|---|---|---|
| October campaign | 22,989 | 3,568 | 13,725 |
| November campaign | 22,071 | 5,078 | 11,674 |
To cut waiting times and ease pressure on deportation centers, Saudi Arabia launched an online Self-Deportation Platform. This digital service lets people without legal status start exit procedures remotely rather than waiting to be caught in raids.
- Platform features:
- Register details remotely
- Book appointments
- Receive instructions on reporting locations
The Ministry of Interior promotes the platform through its official portal, Saudi Ministry of Interior, as part of a wider move toward digital immigration services. Analysis by VisaVerge.com indicates these tools aim to make removals more orderly while still enforcing strict penalties.
Key takeaway: authorities are moving faster from arrest to removal and offering digital avenues for voluntary exits — while maintaining severe penalties for infractions.
Penalties for aiding or harboring irregular migrants
The crackdown targets not only migrants but also anyone who assists them. Authorities have warned that those who house, transport, or hire residency law violators can face:
- Up to 15 years in prison
- Fines up to SR1 million (about $267,000 USD)
- Confiscation of vehicles and property used to hide or move people
These measures are intended to deter landlords, labor brokers, transport firms, and others from facilitating illegal presence.
Border enforcement
Frontier security units are intensifying arrests at entry points.
- October: Border units reported stopping 2,061 individuals attempting illegal entry.
- Nationality breakdown: 56% Ethiopian, 43% Yemeni
- November: 1,667 people were caught attempting illegal entry
(These figures exclude those already inside the country later found without legal documents.)
Reporting suspected violations
Officials urge residents to report suspected violations. Contact numbers vary by region:
- Call 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province
- Call 999 or 996 in other regions
The message from authorities: citizens and legal residents are expected to help identify residency law violators rather than shield them.
Legal pathways and reform measures
While enforcement is being tightened, the kingdom is also promoting legal routes for foreign workers and investors who meet entry conditions.
- A recently launched permanent residency scheme offers long-term status without the traditional sponsorship system.
- Benefits: greater freedom to work, invest, and move within Saudi Arabia for selected expatriates.
Labor regulations are changing too. New rules for outsourcing foreign workers via the Ajeer platform aim to make temporary labor secondment more transparent and better controlled.
- Companies are expected to:
- Use formal contracts under Ajeer for secondment
- Avoid informal shifting of workers between projects
- Maintain records proving valid residency and work authorization for each worker
Failure to comply can result in being labeled an employer of unauthorized labor and facing penalties similar to those for other residency and work violations.
Impact on migrants, families, and employers
For migrants already in Saudi Arabia, the tougher stance reduces the ability to remain in the shadows. Groups at higher risk include:
- People who overstay after performing the Hajj or Umrah
- Domestic workers who leave their sponsors
- Undocumented laborers in construction and services
Human rights advocates and community leaders express concerns that families may be split when a parent is detained or deported while children remain in the country. Officials counter that enforcement protects wages, improves job opportunities for citizens, and reduces human trafficking.
For employers, the risks are now greater:
- Surprise inspections are more likely
- Undocumented staff may be detained
- Heavy sanctions can apply if managers knew of violations
Business owners are being pushed to use official recruitment channels, renew permits on time, and keep clear records showing every worker holds valid residency and work authorization.
Current outlook
Officials present the October and November operations as a warning that stepped-up checks will continue. As the ongoing 2025 campaigns proceed:
- Foreign residents are watching closely
- Many are seeking legal advice to avoid being caught in future enforcement sweeps
The government’s stance is clear: tougher enforcement combined with legal pathways for those who comply with the rules.
In October–November 2025, Saudi Arabia carried out large-scale operations arresting 23,094 people in October and 21,134 in November for residency, border, and labor breaches. Authorities expedited deportation through centers and courts, referred tens of thousands to embassies for travel documents, and introduced a Self-Deportation Platform for remote exit procedures. Harsh penalties target those who aid irregular migrants. Parallel reforms include a permanent residency scheme and Ajeer labor rules to encourage legal pathways.
