(Image source from: mbs.news)

Kuwait cancels 40,000 visas to expats who were stranded in foreign countries and had their residences cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic.

Around 40,000 expatriates have lost validity of their residences in Kuwait after they have failed to renew their residences as they were stuck abroad due to the lockdown.

A Kuwait official on Sunday said that all the 40,000 expats cannot enter the city unless they have their new visas.

Interior Minister of Kuwait had ordered to facilitate measures for renewing residency permits of around 68,000 expats who are mostly Indians and Egyptians.

He said that the renewal of residency permits will happen on condition that the embassy of respective country stamps an approval renewal and the expat would get return approval from Kuwait’s foreign ministry.

This approach by the Kuwait government comes as a sympathy gesture on these expats as they had made no mistake except being stuck at the respective countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The data from the Kuwait government also shows that over 7000 migrant workers from India and Egypt have scrapped the residency permits and left the country for good due to the pandemic.

Foreigners account a total of 3.4 million of Kuwait’s population which is 4.8 million.

According to officials, around 135,000 illegal expats are still residing in the country after an amnesty provided by the authorities for them.

Moreover, over 26,000 illegal expats have taken advantage of the pardon and had left the country.

In April, Kuwait government announced a plan for illegal migrants for their departure by offering them an exception from punishment and by offering free home return flights.

There have been increasing calls to Kuwait to maintain their demographic balance and this prompted several government bodies to disclose plans to encourage the departure of expatriate employees to their respective countries.

The Kuwait government has also planned to increase fees on residency permits of the expatriates and also on the visas for tourism, business and family visits.

According to officials, this new fees scheme would come into effect by the end of this year.

Kuwait is considered one of the cheapest countries in the world and the new residency fees will be applicable to those in other Gulf Co-operation Council countries.

By Gayatri Yellayi