Kuwait Visa Rules: Domestic Workers Can Now Go to Private Sector

Expats working in the domestic sector in Kuwait can now transfer their visa to the private sector, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. new visa rules introduced by the Kuwaiti government. The office of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousuf Al Sabah said the decision was aimed at streamlining the transfer process in line with the country’s legal framework on labour mobility.
From July 14th domestic workers can be transferred to the private sector under certain conditions, reports Gulf News.
The conditions set out in Article One of the decision include obtaining the consent of the current employer, a minimum period of residence with the current employer of one year and a transfer fee of 50 dinars (approximately Dh600). An additional fee of 10 dinars will be charged for each year of service with the current employer.
Kuwait recently announced a three-month amnesty period that ended in June. Under the amnesty program, expats who were in the country illegally could rectify their status by paying fines or getting a new residence permit. A third option was to leave the country without paying fines.
Kuwaiti authorities recently cracked down on illegal housing after 50 people died in a massive fire in a building caused by an electrical fault. Several foreigners have been evicted from their homes in Kuwait during the latest crackdown. According to the Arab Times, several expat bachelors from Bnied Al-Gar — where the fire occurred — were suddenly evicted and left on the streets after authorities enforced building code violations. Authorities cut off electricity and water to three buildings during the scorching summer, when temperatures in Kuwait can exceed 45 degrees Celsius

Summary