Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has issued a warning to expatriates against working for their own account outside the legally permitted employment framework, as authorities intensify enforcement of residency and labour rules. The ministry said self-employment by expatriates outside their sponsored job constitutes a violation of the kingdom’s residency, labour and border security laws.
Penalties escalate with repeat offences. A first violation carries a SR10,000 fine and deportation. A second brings a SR25,000 fine, one month in prison and deportation. A third or subsequent violation carries a fine of up to SR50,000, up to six months in prison, and deportation. The rules also reach beyond the individual worker: anyone who employs, transports, shelters or conceals a violator can face separate fines of up to SR100,000 and prison terms of up to six months, and the same penalties apply to people or businesses that enable expatriates to work outside their legally authorised employer.
The Interior Ministry said field enforcement campaigns will continue across the kingdom, and urged the public to report suspected violations via 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 elsewhere in the country.
References
Gulf News – Saudi Arabia warns expatriates of jail, SR50,000 fine for working for themselves
