Kuwait mulls hiking expat residency permit, visa fees
KUWAIT, March 11, 2017
Kuwait's government is studying a proposal to increase charges for expatriates, particularly in terms of residency permits, family visit visas and traffic violations, said a report, citing a source.
The National Assembly, in its session scheduled for March 14, is expected to table the proposals concerning the increase in the charges of medical services offered to expatriates, reported Arab Times.
The Ministry of Interior has finished preparing the amendments to the residency law of expatriates and the traffic law, and has referred them to the parliament, stated the report.
The proposed amendments to the expatriates’ residency law include an instant fine of KD1,000 ($3263) against those who shelter “marginal labour force” and those who work for different sponsors, said the source.
The fine for residency violation will be raised from KD2 to KD4 per day, he added.
These amendments will result in increased charges for expatriates, in a manner that suits the nature and cost of the services provided to them and in line with the government policies that were endorsed recently, said the source.
They also propose increasing the charges of dependent visa for spouse to KD200, and dependent visa for children to KD150 per child, according to the source.
On visit visas, the source said there is a proposal to increase fees from KD2 to KD30 per month with possible renewal of up to three months.
