JEDDAH: The Ministry of Interior has revealed that more than 32,000 illegal expatriates have left the country since the beginning of the government campaign “A Nation Without Illegal Expatriates” that was launched on March 29.
It said it has arrested 100,000 violators of the country’s residency laws since the launch of the campaign.
The drive entailed an amnesty period of 90 days, during which illegal expatriates can leave the country without being subjected to any penalties.
Deputy supervisor of the campaign in Riyadh Col. Safar bin Dlaim called on violators to make use of the grace period and leave before it ends.
“Those [violators] who do not leave will be required to pay all fines and fees and will be considered a wanted person in the system. The goal of the campaign is for every resident to be legal.”
Less than 50 days remain before the amnesty period expires.
The campaign – which is participated in by 19 government entities — has resulted in large numbers of expatriates showing up daily at 78 offices of the Passports Department – 16 offices in the Eastern Province, 12 in Makkah, 10 in Riyadh and 7 in Qasim. King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah has been particularly crowded with expats wanting to take advantage of the grace period.
The government announced that those who respond to the campaign will be exempted from being registered as “deported,” which will allow them to come back to the Kingdom legally.
The number of violators before the campaign was launched was estimated at one million, including more than 285,000 reported as “absent” by their employers.
The last similar campaign in the country took place more than four years ago and resulted in the deportation and the correction of residency status of more than five million illegal expatriates and labor law violators.
32,000 residency violators leave KSA, 100,000 arrested
32,000 residency violators leave KSA, 100,000 arrested
Mbappé equals ‘idol’ Ronaldo with his record 59th goal in a year for Real Madrid
- “It’s incredible, in my first (full) year to do what Cristiano did. (He’s) my idol, the best player in the history of Real Madrid,” Mbappé said
BARCELONA, Spain: Kylian Mbappé scored his 59th goal for Real Madrid in 2025 on Saturday to equal the club record for the most in a year held by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The milestone was about to escape the France striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to complete a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid’s final game of the year.
Mbappé matched Ronaldo’s tally from 2013 on his 27th birthday. After embracing his teammates, he marked the feat with a subdued version of Ronaldo’s trademark goal celebration — whereby the Portugal forward leaps up and thrusts his arms downwards upon landing — before blowing a kiss at the television cameras.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in the summer of 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, including a league-leading 18.
“It’s incredible, in my first (full) year to do what Cristiano did. (He’s) my idol, the best player in the history of Real Madrid,” Mbappé said.
“My celebration is for him. I wanted to do that because he helped me adapt here and now I can help Madrid win games with my goals. I wanted to share it with him. I have a really good relationship with him, he is my friend, and I wish him and all Madrid fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
Jude Bellingham scored with a header in the 38th minute and Sevilla lost defender Marcao to a second booking for rash tackles with 20 minutes left.
Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda also was expelled by the referee during the halftime break apparently for protesting.
Alonso has been under pressure for several weeks due to a run of bad results and the overall lackluster play of his star-studded side. Spanish sports media is rife with speculation the first-year coach could be replaced.
Now Madrid club president Florentino Pérez will have two weeks to ponder the team’s future before its next game against Real Betis on Jan. 4.
Alonso could have ill afforded another slip at the Santiago Bernabeu after his side lost its previous two games. But Madrid’s fans still had reason to grumble after Sevilla repeatedly created scoring chances — even after being reduced to 10 men.
Alexis Sánchez, still spry at age 37, and right back Juanlu Sánchez stood out the most for a Sevilla side that poked holes in Madrid’s defense.
Madrid needed Thibaut Courtois to deny Alexis, Isaac Romero and Alfonso González on four strikes in the second half. But Sevilla could have gone ahead if it had just showed more finishing touch early on.
The result was still in doubt until Mbappé converted his spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo in the area.
Madrid is in second place at one point behind Barcelona before the leader visits third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
