Kuwait to send visa overstayers to jail in fresh legislation

AL JAHRA – Kuwait’s parliament is poised to scrutinize a proposed law with strict penalties aimed at foreign nationals who overstay their residency.

The proposed law dictates stern punishment potentially leading to imprisonment for up to one year alongside hefty fines reaching KD2,000, according to media reports.

Under this legislation, individuals exceeding their residency will also face a daily fine of KD2, which will escalate after the first month of violation, as detailed in the draft law. The law also dictates that visitors entering Kuwait on a visit visa must depart within three months, unless a residency permit is granted by the Interior Ministry upon visa expiry.

Moreover, the law enforces a significant penalty of KD3,000 on foreigners caught working in breach of residency regulations. The country has already intensified its crackdown on illegal foreign residents, signaling that expats sheltering undocumented individuals will also face deportation consequences.

The country known for its better standard of life hosts 3.2 million foreigners including professionals from all walks of life. 

Situated in the northeastern Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait, bordered by Iraq and Saudi Arabia, is predominantly Islamic, with the majority practicing Sunni Islam. Renowned for its vast oil reserves, Kuwait boasts a thriving petroleum-based economy, contributing to one of the world’s highest per capita incomes. The country has emerged as a regional financial center, owing to its robust oil industry and overall economic development, solidifying its status as a high-income economy in the Middle East.