Kuwait News

1 year ago

Kuwait To Cut Off Utilities For Unpaid Bills Under New Law To Curb Debt Evasion

Kuwaiti authorities will begin suspending electricity, water, and other essential public services to residents and businesses who fail to pay their bills within 30 days of notice, under a tough new law designed to crack down on rampant fee evasion and protect state finances. The Cabinet-approved Decree-Law No. 75 of 2025, published this week, grants ministries and public institutions the power to halt services automatically for anyone with overdue balances, using digital systems to manage both suspensions and reconnections. The law takes effect in three months. The measure targets widespread abuse in the payment of public utility fees, from water and electricity to telecommunications, as mounting arrears have placed increasing strain on state budgets. Under the new framework, debtors, whether individuals or businesses, will have 30 days after notification to settle outstanding bills or risk automatic suspension. Service is restored immediately once payment is made. For those facing genuine financial hardship, competent authorities may approve installment plans. But failure to stick to the schedule triggers immediate debt recovery procedures, including asset liens and fast-tracked enforcement. Before resorting to court, the law now requires disgruntled customers to file a written grievance with the service provider, which must respond within 30 days. Only then can […]

1 year ago

Chinese Visa Waiver For Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait And Bahrain Takes Effect

China’s visa-free entry policy for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain into China took effect yesterday, June 9, 2025, marking a significant step in deepening people-to-people exchanges with the GCC region. The visa waiver will be in place for one year, until June 8, 2026. The visa-free policy allows the citizens of these countries to stay in China for 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchanges, and transit, marking a bold leap in GCC’s diplomacy and economic unity. Citizens from the four GCC countries can now travel visa-free to China, joining the UAE and Qatar, which have enjoyed the same easy access since 2018. The policy is expected to drive stronger tourism, business, and cultural ties. The visa waiver will be in place for one year, until June 8, 2026. The move completes China’s visa-free coverage for the entire GCC bloc, which already included the UAE and Qatar, countries that have enjoyed full mutual visa exemptions with China since 2018. The announcement was made on May 28 following discussions during the ASEAN–China–GCC Summit, where China outlined plans to boost regional cooperation and ease travel barriers as part of its broader diplomatic outreach to […]

1 year ago

Kuwait Raises Court Fees to Curb Rise in Frivolous Lawsuits

Kuwait has raised judicial fees for the first time in decades in a bid to reduce the number of frivolous and malicious lawsuits crowding its courts. The Cabinet approved the move last week, amending provisions of Law No. 17 of 1973 to increase the cost of accessing the country’s judicial system. The new fee structure is intended to ensure that the right to litigation is exercised with seriousness, while also encouraging parties to pursue alternatives such as arbitration and conciliation. The reforms were approved during the Cabinet’s weekly meeting, chaired by Sheikh Ahmed Al Abdullah. In the same session, the government endorsed additional legal amendments to protect Kuwait’s education system, particularly during intermediate and secondary school examinations. Under revisions to the Penal Code, two new articles 259 bis and 259 bis A introduce stricter penalties for cheating-related offenses. The leaking, selling, or distribution of exam materials now carries penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of 1,000 to 5,000 Kuwaiti dinars. Unauthorised tampering with student exam papers or grades could result in up to seven years of imprisonment and fines of 5,000 to 10,000 dinars. The government said the amendments are aimed at preserving the credibility of Kuwait’s academic institutions […]

1 year ago

Kuwait Ends 19-year Visa Ban on Pakistanis, Thousands of Jobs Ahead

Kuwait’s decision to lift a 19-year visa ban on Pakistani citizens has opened wide range of employment opportunities, particularly in healthcare, oil, and skilled labour sectors. The Gulf nation, facing rising demand for qualified workers, is now actively recruiting professionals from Pakistan including an initial batch of 1,200 nurses to support its workforce needs. With access restored to work, family, tourist, and business visas, the move promises a major boost for Pakistani jobseekers looking to build careers abroad, while deepening economic cooperation between the two nations. New era Kuwait’s decision to lift ban on Pakistani citizens is set to usher in a new era of economic cooperation, labor mobility, and people-to-people connectivity between the two nations. Effective immediately, Pakistani nationals can now apply for a wide range of Kuwaiti visas, including work, family visit, dependent, tourist, and commercial categories. The resumption of visa services is being widely hailed as a positive step, reflecting Kuwait’s confidence in Pakistan’s improved security environment and its growing interest in strengthening bilateral ties. Key benefits for Pakistan Thousands of skilled Pakistani workers, especially in the healthcare and oil sectors, now have renewed access to jobs in Kuwait.The lifting of the visa restriction marks a strategic shift toward […]

1 year ago

Gulf Air Flight Lands Safely In Kuwait After Bomb Threat

A Gulf Air flight en route to Kuwait International Airport landed safely on Sunday following a reported bomb threat, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Kuwait confirmed. Flight GF213 underwent a full security inspection upon landing. All passengers were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported, the DGCA said in an official statement. DGCA spokesperson Abdullah Al Madani stated that all passengers were moved to a designated lounge and are in good condition. Precautionary security procedures were carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Interior to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, and to confirm the aircraft was free of any threat. Security measures and investigation “The report was immediately addressed in accordance with security procedures and protocols at Kuwait International Airport, in full coordination with the Ministry of Interior and relevant authorities,” the DGCA said on its social media platforms. Established emergency protocols were swiftly activated following the plane’s arrival. Security teams cleared the aircraft, and passengers were safely disembarked as precautionary measures were carried out. Authorities confirmed the person responsible for the false threat has been identified and taken into custody. Legal and security actions are ongoing against the suspect.

1 year ago

Kuwait Ends Fee Exemptions For Work Visa Transfers

Kuwait has revoked longstanding fee exemptions on work visa transfers, introducing a new, standardised KD150 charge for each permit issued in a major move to tighten labour market oversight. Under a ministerial resolution announced Thursday by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al Youssef, the government repealed Article 2 of last year’s regulations, which had allowed certain sectors to avoid additional permit fees based on manpower requirements. The changes, issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025, represent a significant shift in the country’s approach to work permit management. The new rules apply to various sectors and organisations, including government-owned companies; hospitals, clinics, and health centres licensed by the Ministry of Health; private universities and schools; foreign investors accredited by the Investment Promotion Authority; sports clubs and federations; and public benefit associations, labor unions, charities, and endowments. They also cover licensed agricultural operations, industrial facilities, commercial and investment properties, and small-scale industries. With the repeal of the previous exemption, all work permits in these categories will now incur an additional KD150 fee, assessed individually for each permit granted. The move eliminates preferential treatment for specific sectors and is part of a wider strategy to standardise fees and processes […]

1 year ago

Kuwait Reports Massive 83% Reduction in Traffic Violations

Traffic violations across Kuwait dropped by 83 percent more than a month after new rules were enforced, according to Ministry of Interior data. Last month, the number of traffic violations stood at 28,464, as compared to 168,208 registered in the same period a year earlier, the statistics show. Crossing red traffic lights and exceeding the speed limit were cited as the most frequent infractions. Kuwait traffic report Traffic-related deaths dropped by 55 percent over the past year, while cell phone use when driving and failure to wear a seatbelt had both fallen by 75 per cent, according to the data. The ministry attributed strict law enforcement to these “successful results,” calling on motorists to abide by the new rules in a bid to protect lives and properties alike. Also read: Hot, Dusty Weather, Strong Winds Forecast In Kuwait Through Thursday

1 year ago

Hot, Dusty Weather, Strong Winds Forecast In Kuwait Through Thursday

Kuwait is expected to continue experiencing hot, dusty weather and strong winds until Thursday afternoon due to a surface low-pressure system, according to a senior meteorological official. Dherar Al Ali, acting Director of the Meteorology Department, said the country has been affected by northwestern winds, which are active and sometimes strong, exceeding 60 kilometres per hour, causing dust storms and reducing horizontal visibility to less than 1,000 meters, said. Al Ali noted that wind activity is expected to continue with the possibility of dust storms, with relative calm prevailing in wind speed from Thursday afternoon due to the country being under the influence of an extension of a surface low pressure system accompanied by a hot and dry air mass. “Daytime high temperatures are forecast to range between 39°C and 42°C. Nighttime conditions will remain hot, with minimum temperatures between 27°C and 31°C. He urged citizens and residents with asthma and allergies to wear masks when going out, warning beachgoers to be careful of waves as high as seven feet and warned highway users to beware of sudden reduced visibility. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior urged the public to be cautious as the country is affected by active to strong […]

1 year ago

Kuwait Arrests Indian ‘Housewife’ Posing As Doctor, Running Underground Clinic

Kuwaiti authorities have arrested an Indian woman for practicing medicine without a licence at an unregistered clinic in the Jleeb Al Shuyoukh area, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior. The arrest was carried out by detectives from the Farwaniya police command’s Jleeb Al Shuyoukh Investigations Section as part of Kuwait’s ongoing crackdown on illegal medical practices. At the time of arrest, the woman was reportedly treating a child. Although officially listed as a “housewife,” she was found operating a clinic stocked with various medications, a blood pressure monitor, a stethoscope, and infant formula supplied by the Ministry of Health. Investigators revealed that the woman had been preparing and dispensing “folk remedies” in capsule form without medical supervision or government approval. She admitted to having no qualifications or official licenses. Some medicines were reportedly imported, while others were sourced from local pharmacies. A security source said the woman primarily treated expatriates who were living in Kuwait without valid residency or work permits, and therefore unable to access public healthcare. Patients were charged modest fees for medical services. The Ministry of Interior confirmed the suspect has been referred to the public prosecution for further legal action.

1 year ago

Five Dead In Kuwait Apartment Block Fire: Official

A fire in a residential building southwest of Kuwait City killed five people, the Gulf state’s fire brigade said on Sunday. The blaze broke out in two apartments in the Rigga area, about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the capital, said spokesman Brigadier General Mohammed Al Gharib. Three bodies were found at the scene and two more people died from their injuries in hospital, he told AFP. everal others were injured, and Gharib warned the death toll could rise due to the severity of some of the burns. According to Arab Times, the incident happened in the early morning, prompting desperate scenes as panicked residents leapt from upper floors to escape the flames. Several suffered burns of varying severity, with some treated on-site and others transported to nearby hospitals. The authorities have since recovered charred bodies from the building. It is reported that two apartments were completely gutted in the fire. The General Fire Force confirmed that emergency response units from Shuwaikh Industrial and Ardiya stations, along with specialised search and rescue teams, were dispatched swiftly and managed to bring the blaze under control. The fire department highlighted striking similarities between this incident and the deadly Mangaf fire, which had claimed 49 lives and […]

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Search Here

Kuwait To Cut Off Utilities For Unpaid Bills Under New Law To Curb Debt Evasion

Chinese Visa Waiver For Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait And Bahrain Takes Effect

Kuwait Raises Court Fees to Curb Rise in Frivolous Lawsuits

Kuwait Ends 19-year Visa Ban on Pakistanis, Thousands of Jobs Ahead

Gulf Air Flight Lands Safely In Kuwait After Bomb Threat

Kuwait Ends Fee Exemptions For Work Visa Transfers

Kuwait Reports Massive 83% Reduction in Traffic Violations

Hot, Dusty Weather, Strong Winds Forecast In Kuwait Through Thursday

Kuwait Arrests Indian ‘Housewife’ Posing As Doctor, Running Underground Clinic

Five Dead In Kuwait Apartment Block Fire: Official

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