Saudi Arabia Enforces Fines for Hiring Without Permits

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia announced new penalties for hiring foreign workers without valid permits as part of a crackdown on labor market abuses. The fines include SR1,000 (approximately $266) per worker for employers who fail to register contracts digitally.

A zero-tolerance policy has been established for employing children, with fines set at SR1,500 for each violation. The penalties for unauthorized recruitment are severe, starting at SR200,000 (approximately $53,327) for the first offense, increasing to SR220,000 (approximately $58,660) for the second, and SR250,000 for subsequent offenses.

Additionally, the government is implementing a digital immigration and border control system, which includes a new self-deport platform utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance passenger processing at airport entry points. These measures are part of a broader initiative to modernize administrative operations in the kingdom.