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Deloitte Immigration News: Kuwait - Important updates on penalties and residency law violations

19 January 2025

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The Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Kuwait has introduced new regulations concerning penalties and breaches of residency laws. Below is a summary of the penalties under each category:

  • Article (6): Failure to report the birth of a newborn within four months may incur a fine of 2 KWD per day, up to a maximum of 2,000 KWD.
  • Article (9): Foreigners not obtaining a residency permit after entry for the purposes such as:

    • Family joining
    • School enrolment
    • Government work
    • Private sector work
    • Commercial/industrial work
    • Treatment
    • Temporary government contract
       
  • This violation will attract a fine of 2 KWD per day during the first month after the expiry of their visa they used to arrive in Kuwait, increasing to 4 KWD per day thereafter, with a maximum of 1,200 KWD.
  • Article (11): Overstaying the specified duration on a visit visa (for government, private, tourism, commercial, transit, or family purposes) will result in a fine of 10 KWD per day, up to 2,000 KWD.
  • Article (13), Clause (5): Failure to renew or exit the country upon expiration of a residency permit will lead to a fine of 2 KWD per day for the first month, increasing to 4 KWD per day thereafter, with a maximum of 1,200 KWD.

Deloitte’s view

These new regulations highlight the importance of compliance with residency laws in Kuwait. Non-compliance can result in significant financial penalties. We recommend that our clients diligently adhere to the new rules to avoid these fines. Ensuring timely action in obtaining or renewing residency permits and reporting necessary information is crucial for staying compliant. It's essential to monitor these developments closely and seek guidance if needed to navigate these changes effectively.

Contacts

Our Tax experts listed below would be happy to discuss the above matters in more detail, or support you through a further discussion on your specific requirements.

Hadi Allawi
hallawi@deloitte.com

Mohammed Haquem
haque@deloitte.com

Syed Mansoor
mansyed@deloitte.com

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