In a recent development, Kuwait has implemented new residency visa regulations that will affect expatriates residing in the country. The Ministry of Interior has made an official announcement stating that expats must settle any outstanding debts owed to the government before they can renew their residency permits. These changes came into effect immediately, starting from Sunday, September 10.
These updated residency guidelines are a response to directives issued by the Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Talal Khalid Al-Ahmad Al Sabah. The primary objective is to recover funds owed to the government, and as a result, Kuwait has introduced various measures aimed at addressing the issue of expatriate debt.
One of the significant measures includes travel restrictions imposed on expatriates in Kuwait. Before leaving the country for any purpose, expats are required to clear all pending bills, including those related to utilities such as telephone, electricity, and water, as well as any outstanding traffic fines.
Furthermore, the obligation to settle all outstanding debts has been extended to the process of updating and renewing residency permits. Expatriates are now mandated to clear all dues before they can proceed with the documentation renewals for their residency permits.
To facilitate this process, the Ministry of Interior has recommended that individuals seeking to renew their residency permits utilize official state agency websites or the Sahl mobile app to settle their outstanding debts efficiently.
The Ministry has underscored the critical importance of complying with these newly instituted laws. It has emphasized its commitment to enforcing further measures if necessary to maintain security and ensure public order within the nation.