Kuwait has announced the introduction of new rules for issuing residence visas for expats in the country. Find out more about why expats will not be able to leave Kuwait, when they may not be able to extend their residence permits, and what other changes to migration legislation have been approved by the Kuwaiti authorities

Kuwait is currently undergoing a series of notable upgrades. The governments of the countries made changes to the procedure for issuing work permits for expats, adjusted the rules for extending residence permits in the country, and approved a ban on leaving the country for a certain category of foreigners.

What exactly has changed and who will be affected by the new rules? We tell in our material.

Why expats will not be able to leave Kuwait?

On August 19, 2023, Kuwait announced a ban that applies to all foreigners who want to leave the country for any reason. From now on, every expat who leaves the country, before crossing the border, will be obliged to pay all fines registered against him for violating traffic rules.

● When do the changes take effect?

These rules are already in effect, because the Ministry of Interior of Kuwait stated that they entered into force immediately after approval, that is, from August 19, 2023.

● How can you pay off debts?

Expats have several convenient ways to pay fines:

- Sahel mobile application;

- Web portal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;

- In offices at Kuwait International Airport and seaports;

- In the traffic departments of Kuwait.

Importantly! Fines related to speeding and unauthorized parking in disabled spaces must be paid exclusively in person and at the offices of the Traffic Department. They cannot be paid online or at airports or seaports. Therefore, we advise expats to pay these fines well in advance of their departure date.

If, upon crossing the border, it is found that you have unpaid fines, you will be refused entry. Therefore, be sure to check and pay all debts before your next trip.

When will an expat's residence permit not be extended in Kuwait?

Another important change concerns the procedure for extending a residence permit in Kuwait. Expats have been banned from renewing their residence permits until they repay all debts to the country's government: fines for traffic violations, as well as debts for utilities, telephone bills, electricity, water, etc.

● When do the changes take effect?

The new rule came into effect on Sunday, September 10.

● How can you pay off debts?

The Ministry of Interior said expats wishing to extend their residence permit must first pay off their debts using the official websites of government agencies or the Sahel mobile app.

Another mandatory condition for obtaining and extending a residence permit in Kuwait is the presence of health insurance. Also, on the basis of the policy, you can get high-quality medical care abroad and save significant money on treatment.

When taking out a health insurance policy, we advise you to pay attention to its advantages and features, as well as to choose verified insurance agents. You can take out a reliable insurance with a guarantee of payments in just a few minutes using the link.

What was the reason for introducing the above restrictions?

The new residency rules are based on the directives of Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Khalid Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

The country has taken tough measures, imposing a series of restrictions as it tries to recover money owed to the state.

How many foreigners currently live in Kuwait?

Approving the above-mentioned changes was very important for the leadership of Kuwait, because there are quite a lot of foreigners living in the country. According to official data, as of July 2023, the number of expatriates remained almost unchanged at 3.3 million people, which is about 69% of the total population of Kuwait. A total of 4.8 million people live in the state.

Despite its size, Kuwait is a popular destination for expats. A strong oil industry and financial sector make the country an attractive place for employment. Citizens of Egypt, Palestine, and Saudi Arabia often issue permanent residence permits in Kuwait, and many Americans, Canadians, Britons, and Ukrainians also live in the country.

What other changes to migration legislation have the leadership of Kuwait approved?

On Monday, September 11, Kuwait's State Department of Personnel announced a new regulation aimed at preventing fraud related to foreigners' work permits. From now on, it is impossible to change the employee's personal data in the permit (name, date of birth and nationality) without following a special procedure.

If an error is found in the work permit and the employer decides to change the name, date of birth or nationality of the foreign worker, he must apply for a visa cancellation service within two weeks of issuing the work permit. The application should be submitted through the Sahel service. After canceling the visa, the employer must visit the Ministry of the Interior to change the employee's details and apply for a new permit.

Look for even more current news, changes and regulations from the world of travel and immigration on the Visit World portal.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Kuwait;

Travel Insurance for foreigners in Kuwait;

Medical insurance all over the world;

Insurance for international students in Kuwait.

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Find 8 common mistakes when applying for a residence permit here.