[Saudi Arabia] 15-year prison sentence for sponsors withholding passports

Sponsors in Saudi Arabia found to be withholding an expat’s passport could potentially receive a prison sentence of up to 15 years together with a significant fine, Arab Times reports.

Saudi lawyer Zyad Al Shaalan highlighted the severity of the penalties and the likelihood of arrest for sponsors refusing to return passports. 

Mr Al Shaalan reportedly shared the information on his TikTok account, emphasising the legal consequences of such action. He described the act as a major crime falling under the category of human trafficking.

Saudi Arabia has a population of approximately 32.2 million and is home to a large community of foreign workers. Recent initiatives by Saudi authorities were intended to provide facilities for expatriates, allowing those departing on exit/re-entry visas to return until the expiration of their visas. 

In August 2023, the General Directorate of Passports announced that exit/re-entry visa holders may electronically extend their visas while abroad by paying related fees through platforms like Absher or Muqeem.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly prioritised labour market regulation and attractiveness improvement in recent years with labour reforms - introduced in 2020 and coming into effect in 2021 - that significantly enhanced the sponsorship system. 

The reforms facilitate job mobility and regulate exit and re-entry visa issuance for expatriate workers without requiring employers’ approval. Employee mobility provisions allow expatriate workers to transfer between employers upon the expiry of their work contracts without needing employer consent. 

Exit and re-entry visa reforms enable expatriate workers to travel outside Saudi Arabia without requiring approval from their employers if they submit a formal request. The measures are reportedly part of the kingdom’s efforts to modernise and streamline its labour practices.

Source: Arab Times

Sponsors in Saudi Arabia found to be withholding an expat’s passport could potentially receive a prison sentence of up to 15 years together with a significant fine, Arab Times reports.

Saudi lawyer Zyad Al Shaalan highlighted the severity of the penalties and the likelihood of arrest for sponsors refusing to return passports. 

Mr Al Shaalan reportedly shared the information on his TikTok account, emphasising the legal consequences of such action. He described the act as a major crime falling under the category of human trafficking.

Saudi Arabia has a population of approximately 32.2 million and is home to a large community of foreign workers. Recent initiatives by Saudi authorities were intended to provide facilities for expatriates, allowing those departing on exit/re-entry visas to return until the expiration of their visas. 

In August 2023, the General Directorate of Passports announced that exit/re-entry visa holders may electronically extend their visas while abroad by paying related fees through platforms like Absher or Muqeem.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly prioritised labour market regulation and attractiveness improvement in recent years with labour reforms - introduced in 2020 and coming into effect in 2021 - that significantly enhanced the sponsorship system. 

The reforms facilitate job mobility and regulate exit and re-entry visa issuance for expatriate workers without requiring employers’ approval. Employee mobility provisions allow expatriate workers to transfer between employers upon the expiry of their work contracts without needing employer consent. 

Exit and re-entry visa reforms enable expatriate workers to travel outside Saudi Arabia without requiring approval from their employers if they submit a formal request. The measures are reportedly part of the kingdom’s efforts to modernise and streamline its labour practices.

Source: Arab Times