Kuwait suspends over 200,000 expats’ residency permits

According to the details, more than 200,000 migrants working in Kuwait had fled their countries due to the Corona epidemic and have now lost their jobs and residency permits for not returning.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the country’s government temporarily suspended a decision stating that an expat resident visa would be automatically cancelled after six months of being outside the country, regardless of its validity.

This meant that any expatriate abroad at the time of the outbreak could rest assured that their visas were valid and safe. Many emigrants were finding it difficult to return to the country due to pandemic-induced travel restrictions.

According to Kuwaiti media reports, the affected migrants are from 20 different countries, but Egypt, Sri Lanka and India are among the most affected ones.

The decision also reassured migrants or residents working in Kuwait that their visas would be valid.

Although the decision was put off, it still meant that any expat outside Kuwait looking to renew their residency needed to do so before the expiry date on their visa.