Kuwait announces 3-month amnesty for visa violators

The interior ministry of Kuwait has announced a three-month amnesty for residency violators.

The ministry said the amnesty on Thursday, which starts on March 17 and continues until June 17, was issued on the occasion of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah becoming the ruler of the country.

Under the amnesty, expatriates living illegally in Kuwait can legalize their stay by obtaining a new residency but only after settling their fines. 

Residency fines are KD 2 per day with a maximum of KD 600, the interior ministry said in a statement.

Illegal residents who cannot pay the fine can leave the country from any exit point without paying any fines. However, they are allowed to return to the country after undergoing new procedures, the ministry said.

The last time Kuwait issued an amnesty for illegal expats was in early 2021.