Expats living in Kuwait illegally now have more time to either leave the nation or change their status. The official end date of a three-month visa "amnesty" has been rescheduled from Monday, June 17, to June 30.
Original Deadline Extension
Kuwait has announced an extension for illegal expatriates in the country to either regularize their residency status or leave the country. The original deadline for the three-month visa amnesty was set to end on Monday, June 17, but has now been extended to June 30, 2024. This extension provides an opportunity for foreigners residing in Kuwait without proper residency documentation to depart without incurring fines.
Ministry of Interior Announcement
The Ministry of Interior communicated this update via the social media platform X, stating, “The deadline for residency law violators has been extended to June 30, 2024.” The extension was directed by Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al Sabah, the first Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior. The timing of this extension aligns with the Eid Al-Adha holiday, addressing the high demand from individuals seeking to either amend their residency status or exit the country.
When the original amnesty announcement was made, the Ministry of Interior highlighted that expatriates violating residency laws would be allowed to stay in Kuwait if they paid the necessary fines by the initial deadline of June 17, 2024. The fines for residency visa violations are set at KD2 ($6.5) per day, with a maximum limit of KD600 ($1,952). Those unable to pay these fines are permitted to leave Kuwait without any financial penalties through international ports.
Additionally, the Ministry assured that individuals who leave the country without paying fines can return in the future, provided they comply with new procedural requirements. However, under the terms of the amnesty, those who fail to either leave the country or pay the fines to regularize their residency status by the new deadline will face severe consequences. They will not be granted residency, will be subject to deportation, and will also face fines and a ban on returning to Kuwait.
The amnesty initiative reflects Kuwait's effort to manage and regulate the status of expatriates residing illegally in the country. By extending the deadline, the government aims to facilitate a smoother process for individuals to either rectify their residency status or depart voluntarily. This approach seeks to address residency law violations without imposing undue financial burdens on the violators, while also ensuring that the country's residency regulations are upheld.
Kuwait has extended the deadline for illegal expatriates to either leave the country or update their residency status to June 30, 2024. This move aims to assist those who are currently residing in the country without proper documentation by allowing them to either regularize their status or exit without facing fines. Those who do not comply with the new deadline will face deportation, fines, and a ban from re-entering Kuwait. This initiative underscores Kuwait's commitment to managing residency laws effectively while providing a temporary relief measure during a significant holiday period.