Saudi Arabia reports thousands of arrests and deportations in a recent security campaign. Here are the key details:
- 14,434 individuals arrested for violations
- 14,905 individuals deported
- Strict penalties announced for helpers
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior reported that 14,434 individuals were arrested for residency, labor, and border security violations between August 20 and August 26, 2026. During the same period, 14,905 individuals were deported from the Kingdom. The Ministry clarified that the breakdown of these figures by nationality was not provided, though the country hosts approximately 2.74 million Indian expatriates working across various sectors including construction, services, healthcare, and hospitality. According to the official data,
6,976 people were detained for Residency Law violations, 4,110 for Border Security Law breaches, and 3,348 for Labour Law violations. Authorities intercepted 1,450 people attempting to enter the country illegally, of whom 58% were Ethiopian, 41% Yemeni, and 1% of other nationalities. Additionally, 44 individuals were caught attempting to exit the Kingdom illegally. Furthermore, 27 people were arrested for providing transport, shelter, or employment to violators. The Ministry warned that facilitating illegal entry or providing aid to violators can result in up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SAR 1 million, and confiscation of vehicles or property.
As of the reporting period,
29,938 expatriates are currently undergoing enforcement procedures, comprising 27,957 men and 1,981 women. Of these, 18,914 have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, and 2,867 are finalizing travel reservations. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has urged Indian nationals to verify their visa, Iqama, and exit/re-entry visa statuses, noting that the Kingdom uses the Hijri calendar. Workers are advised to contact the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development at 19911 for labor complaints, including issues regarding unpaid salaries or lack of Iqama issuance within 90 days of arrival. Workers are also cautioned against relying on unofficial agents for employment transfers and are advised to maintain digital copies of all legal documents. For welfare assistance, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh operates a 24/7 helpline at 00-966-11-4884697, a WhatsApp line at 00-966-542126748, a toll-free number at 800 247 1234, and a direct labor issue line at 00-966-11-4804554. Grievances can also be registered via the MADAD portal. The Community Welfare office at the Embassy in Riyadh remains open for service from Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
