Saudi sponsors face 15 years in jail for withholding expat passports

In a significant development, a Saudi lawyer, Zyad Al Shaalan, has issued a stark warning to sponsors in Saudi Arabia who withhold expatriates’ passports, emphasizing that they could face severe consequences, including up to 15 years in prison and substantial fines. Al Shaalan categorizes this act among human trafficking crimes under Saudi law, underscoring its gravity and warranting arrest.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a population of approximately 32.2 million, has long been a home to a substantial community of foreign workers. Recent initiatives by Saudi authorities aim to enhance the experience for expatriates. Foreign residents departing on exit/re-entry visas are now permitted to return to Saudi Arabia until the last day of the validity of their visas.

Adding to the expatriate-friendly measures, the General Directorate of Passports announced in August that exit/re-entry visa holders can electronically extend their visas while outside Saudi Arabia. This can be done by paying the required fees through the Absher platform or Muqeem portal.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has taken significant steps to regulate its labor market and bolster its global attractiveness. Notably, in 2020, the country introduced major labor reforms, ushering in a substantial improvement to its sponsorship system. These reforms, effective in the following year, bring about increased job mobility and regulation of exit and re-entry visa issuance for expatriate workers without the need for employer approval.

One key facet of the reforms is employee mobility, allowing expatriate workers to transfer between employers upon the expiration of their binding work contracts without requiring the employer’s consent. This move enhances flexibility within the labor market and provides greater autonomy to expatriate workers.

Furthermore, the exit and re-entry visa reforms empower expatriate workers to travel outside Saudi Arabia without seeking their employers’ approval, provided they submit a formal request. This measure streamlines the process and facilitates the movement of expatriates, aligning with the broader goal of fostering a more dynamic and attractive labor environment.

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to stringent penalties for passport withholding demonstrates its dedication to protecting the rights of expatriate workers. Concurrently, the implementation of expatriate-friendly reforms underscores the Kingdom’s efforts to create a more flexible, regulated, and appealing labor market on the global stage.