Kuwait suspends issuing work permits to Pakistanis, Afghans
1,204 viewsBy jazbablog - Wed Apr 27, 11:46 pm
KUWAIT CITY, MANAMA: The Interior Ministry has suspended the issuing of work permits and new residence permits to Iraqis, Iranians, Syrians, Pakistanis and Afghans until further notice due to the current unrest in their countries.
However Kuwait’s labour ministry has denied media reports that it has stopped issuing work visas to nationals from five countries.
Al-Rai daily quoting reliable sources, however, added the final say in all matters related to work permits, visit visas and residence permits will lie in the hands of acting Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmad Al-Humoud and Undersecretary Lt General Ghazi Al-Omar.
Referring to the suspension orders, sources said the ministry will take further decisions depending on the developments in these countries.
The General Department of Immigration has reportedly started acting on the instructions, but is continuing to renew the residence of people of these nationalities.
Sources said the new directive will not affect residence law violators who want to legalize their status or leave the country during the amnesty period as they can re-enter the country once the situation in their respective countries stabilizes.
Meanwhile Kuwait’s labour ministry has denied media reports that it has stopped issuing work visas to nationals from five countries.
“We cannot make such a decision without instructions from the political leadership and the interior ministry,” Mansour Al Mansour, the assistant undersecretary for the labour sector,” said.
“We have not received any official note or memo on such a ban. We have no problem applying the directives or instructions, but we have not received any in this case,” Al Mansoor said, quoted by Al Shahed daily on Wednesday.
