Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry recently issued a stern warning to individuals that transporting, employing, sheltering or assisting those who violate residence and labor regulations will face fines of up to SAR 100,000 and imprisonment of up to six months. In addition, the ministry said that if the offender is a foreigner, the penalty also includes deportation. Authorities stressed that penalties apply to anyone who provides any form of assistance to persons who violate residency, labor and border security regulations.
Sponsors face legal risks
The ministry is cracking down on tourists who stay in the kingdom beyond their permitted stay. However, authorities have also held sponsors accountable, warning them of jail time, fines, and even deportation. Recently, the Saudi public security authorities called on citizens and residents to immediately report visit visa holders who remain in the Kingdom after their visas have expired. Authorities have warned that tourists who fail to notify officials when leaving could face fines of up to 50,000 riyals and six months in prison.According to statistics recently released by the General Directorate of Passports, a total of 19,559 administrative decisions were issued against citizens and residents who violated residence, labor and border security regulations in the month of 1447 H.H. (2026).The Ministry of Interior announced in March 2026 that 19,077 illegal residents were arrested across Saudi Arabia during coordinated checks carried out by security forces in cooperation with government authorities between February 19 and 25.13,215 people were detained for violating the Residence Act, 3,396 for violating the Border Security Act and 2,466 for violating the Labor Act. The ministry urges the public to report offenders by dialing 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Governorate region, or 999 in other parts of the Kingdom, and ensuring that reporting does not carry any legal liability.
