Monday, September 1, 2008

Kuwait grants six-week amnesty to illegal expats

Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah yesterday issued a decree granting expatriates living illegally in the country an amnesty period to legalize their status or leave the state without paying a fine. The decision, issued on the orders of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, applies to almost all expatriates living illegally in the country. Tens of thousands of foreigners are expected to take advantage of the amnesty, which begi
ns on September 1 and expires on October 15.

Illegal expats who wish to leave the country can do so without being required to pay fines for overstaying, the decree said. They only need to go directly to all points of exit - land, sea and airport - without the need to go to the immigration department. They are allowed to return to Kuwait. Illegals who want to legalize their stay are allowed to do so but after paying the overstay fines.

Those who had legal residence before are required to pay KD 2 per day for a maximum of KD 600. Those who came on visit visas and overstayed will be charged KD 10 per day with a maximum of KD 1,000. People under this category need to go to the immigration department and get their residence stamped. They will not be referred to court.

Illegals who have lost their passports and obtained new passports from their embassies in the country can avail of the amnesty but they must obtain an exit permit from the immigration department. They should provide two photos. People who are banned from travelling because their sponsors have filed lawsuits against them for illegally leaving their work can benefit from the amnesty by leaving the country without any permit.

Those who are banned from travel because of a criminal offense should see investigation authorities to settle their cases and then can leave. People who are banned from leaving the country because of a criminal offense that has not been settled should present their papers at the immigration department to obtain a legal residence permit during the amnesty period. Those who fail to do so will be deported after the amnesty.

People who are banned from travel because of financial obligations should see the law enforcement department at the ministry of justice to settle their dues and then apply for legal residence. Those who fail to do so within the amnesty period will not be allowed to legalize their status and will be deported. Illegal residents who have administrative or judicial obstacles that prevented them from getting a proper residence permit should visit the immigration departments to review their cases.

Newborn babies whose relatives failed to obtain a residence for them can avail of the decree by obtaining legal residence for them. In case of failure to do so within the amnesty duration, they will be deported. Expats whose passports are held by their sponsors can also avail of the decree. They should obtain new passports from their embassies and can either stamp a new residence or leave the country without paying a fine. Those who fail to do so will be deported after the amnesty.

Illegal expats who are engaged in a court case for their end of service indemnity or other financial issues, should avail of the amnesty by either leaving the country without a fine or apply to get a new residence. Violators will be deported after the amnesty.

Kuwait, where some 2.35 million foreigners - almost two-third of them Asians - live and work alongside a million citizens, has given illegal residents similar grace periods in the past. In July, thousands of Bangladeshi workers staged violent protests demanding payment of salaries and improved working conditions. The state subsequently deported around 1,000 of them.


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