RIYADH: The number of illegal expatriates taking advantage of the Kingdom’s amnesty campaign reached 345,089 in the last two months, said Maj. Gen. Daifallah bin Sattam Al-Huwaifi, deputy director general of the Passport Department, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported recently.
The Interior Ministry launched a 90-day amnesty campaign beginning March 29 that asked labor and residence violators to leave the Kingdom without penalties.
The Passport Department has prepared more than one center in every region and province to receive undocumented expats who want to voluntarily leave the country, Al-Huwaifi said.
The designated centers receive expats and finalize their departure procedures on a two-shift schedule, he said.
Al-Huwaifi asked illegal residents and workers to take advantage of the remaining days before the amnesty deadline, which ends June 29. Exemptions for undocumented residents and workers leaving voluntarily include imprisonment, fees, and fines, which are normally applied to violators of residence, employment and border security regulations.
The campaign also aims to help illegal residents leave the country on their own and remain exempt from the “deportee” fingerprint system.
Al-Huwaifi warned that security authorities will track down potential violators after the amnesty period expires and impose strict penalties including imprisonment, fines, deportation and a ban from the entry to Saudi Arabia.
He also warned citizens and residents not to transport, shelter, employ violators of residence, work and border security regulations, or provide them with any means of assistance that may help them stay in the Kingdom.
Over 345,000 illegal expats leave Kingdom under amnesty program
Over 345,000 illegal expats leave Kingdom under amnesty program
Saudi Arabia advances in Universal Health Coverage index
- Life expectancy in Kingdom rose from 74 in 2016 to 79.7 in 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has made notable progress in the Universal Health Coverage Service Coverage Index, reinforcing its position among leading nations in global health indicators, according to the latest data released by the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
The Kingdom recorded a score of 83 points in the latest UHC update, marking a nine-point increase within two years and placing Saudi Arabia among countries classified as having high-level health service coverage.
The steady rise reflects sustained improvements over the past two decades and underscores the impact of the Kingdom’s Health Sector Transformation Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
The UHC Service Coverage Index is one of the internationally recognized Sustainable Development Goal indicators and measures access to essential health services across key areas, including preventive care, treatment, and system capacity.
Progress in the index is closely linked to broader development outcomes such as improved quality of life, reduced disease burden, and enhanced social well-being.
Saudi Arabia’s advancement has been driven by a strategic focus on preventive healthcare, strengthened primary care services, expanded early screening programs, and increased health system readiness.
The transformation has also been supported by rapid digitalization, including platforms such as Sehhaty and the Seha Virtual Hospital, which have expanded access to care and improved service efficiency nationwide.
These reforms have translated into measurable public health gains. Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rose from 74 years in 2016 to about 79.7 in 2025, bringing the Kingdom close to its Vision 2030 target of 80 years and highlighting the effectiveness of preventive and treatment programs.
Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel said the progress reflected the tangible outcomes of Vision 2030 and sustained leadership support.
He said: “The improvements we see today in international health indicators demonstrate the real impact of the Kingdom’s health transformation, which prioritizes prevention, primary care empowerment, and digital health solutions. Raising life expectancy to 79.7 years is the result of an integrated effort focused on improving people’s health and quality of life.”
Saudi Arabia’s progress in the UHC index further strengthens its standing among G20 countries and underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to building a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable health system, with people at the center of national development.
