Islamabad, Jan 1: Starting January 5, 2025, the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait will implement a revised fine structure for residency law violations, introducing significantly higher penalties in an effort to encourage compliance among expatriates and visitors. The new system addresses various issues such as overstays, work visa violations, and delayed registration of newborns, with the aim of streamlining enforcement.
The updated fine structure includes the following key penalties:
- Failure to Register Newborns (after a four-month grace period): A fine of 2 dinars (~Dh24) for the first month of delay, increasing to 4 dinars for each subsequent month. The maximum fine for this violation is 2,000 dinars.
- Work Visa Violations: A fine of 2 dinars per day for the first month, escalating to 4 dinars per day thereafter, with a maximum penalty of 1,200 dinars.
- Overstaying Visit Visas: A fine of 10 dinars per day, with a maximum penalty of 2,000 dinars.
- Domestic Workers Violating Temporary Residency or Departure Notices: A fine of 2 dinars per day, with a maximum fine of 600 dinars.
- Residency Cancellations (Articles 17, 18, 20): A fine of 2 dinars per day for the first month, which rises to 4 dinars per day after that, with a maximum fine of 1,200 dinars.
- Overstaying Temporary Residency or Failure to Renew Residency: Visitors could face a maximum fine of 2,000 dinars, while residency holders will incur a maximum fine of 1,200 dinars.
The revised structure marks a substantial increase in fines, particularly compared to the previous maximum penalty of 600 dinars for some violations.
To support the implementation of the new fines, the Ministry of Interior has upgraded its computer systems to reflect the updated penalties. Officials have urged both residents and visitors to regularize their legal status to avoid the newly imposed fines, which can reach up to 2,000 dinars for certain violations. The Ministry also stressed the importance of maintaining up-to-date documentation to prevent facing these substantial penalties.
