Govt finalizes new residency law for Assembly approval ---KUWAIT TIMES

KUWAIT: The government has finalized the new residency law and prepared its amendments, anticipating its review by the parliamentary interior and defense committee, with approval expected from the full house next month. The proposal comprises 37 items across 7 chapters, outlining regulations for foreigners’ entry, deportation, iqama trade and penalties. Additionally, it grants Kuwaiti women married to foreigners the right to sponsor their husbands and children, provided they haven't obtained nationality as per article 8, pertaining to expat women naturalized through marriage to a Kuwaiti. The proposal mandates hotels and aparthotels to report the residence of foreigners, while a ministerial decision will determine fees for residency permits, renewals and all entry visas. It prohibits iqama trade through exploitation, imposing penalties of up to 3 years in jail and a fine ranging from KD 5,000 to KD 10,000 for violators. Residency trade pardons fall only under the jurisdiction of the public prosecution. Notably, amendments pertaining to domestic help allow for regular residency permits during their contract period. If a domestic helper's permit is canceled upon leaving the job, they must depart Kuwait within the stipulated timeframe unless a new residency is obtained. Transferring the domestic helper's permit requires employer approval, and staying outside Kuwait for over four months is prohibited without prior interior ministry permission. The proposed law empowers the interior minister to deport foreigners, even those with residency permits, citing reasons of public interest, general security, public morality or lack of a legal source of income. Deportation decisions may include dependents, and the deportee can be jailed for a maximum of 30 days, extendable if needed for the deportation process. The interior minister can exempt deported foreigners from fines upon leaving Kuwait. Heads of state, members of the diplomatic corps and official employees are exempted under reciprocity. The proposal allows foreigners a temporary stay of three months, extendable for up to one year. It also states foreigners can stay in Kuwait for five years, while children of Kuwaiti women and real estate owners can stay for 10 years, and investors may be granted residency permits for 15 years.

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