Syrian expatriates, who arrived in Saudi Arabia with a visit visa before the security situation deteriorated in their country, will not be deported.

This was announced by Muslh Al-Sefri, deputy director of Inspection Department at the Ministry of Labor in Makkah.

Syrian expats, who hold a visit visa starting from 1435 AH will, however, face punitive action, along with their employers, if they are caught working without a permit.

Al-Sefri’s remarks, published in the local media, came as the Labor Ministry and other security agencies in the Kingdom prepare to launch new and intensified inspection campaigns against undocumented foreign workers.

The ministry plans to launch raids in all companies and stores throughout the Kingdom, said Al-Sefri.

Mohammed Al-Saad, director of Public Relations at Passports Directorate, confirmed that the Syrian expats in the Kingdom, who arrived on visit visa in 1434 AH, can work at certain companies, as they are excluded from the local labor laws.

He, however, said that the ministry’s directives would be applied against all offenders without any exception.

At the same time, the inspection campaign will cover all companies and others areas in cooperation with the other security authorities, Al-Saad told local media.

Sultan Al-Harbi, director of a Labor Office in Jeddah, told Arab News that the ministry’s statement is clear. Syrian residents in the Kingdom have a special situation due to the ongoing war in their home country, he explained.

However, Syrians who entered the Kingdom on a visit visa from 1435 AH, must respect labor rules in the country to avoid punishment, including deportation, said Al-Harbi.