Expats - Gulf Insider

4 weeks ago

Bahrain: New Conditions For Expats

Bahrain’s Parliament passed two amendments to the Traffic Law that introduce stricter conditions for issuing driving licences to expatriates, including linking licence validity to residency permits and expanding regulatory powers over foreign applicants. The first amendment limits the validity of a non-Bahraini driving licence to the duration of the holder’s legal residency in the Kingdom. The second allows the executive authority to set additional conditions for expatriates applying for licences. Lawmakers backing the changes said the reforms aim to ease pressure on Bahrain’s roads, as the number of expatriate workers and private vehicles continues to rise. During discussions, MPs argued that the measures would help better organise traffic management and align licensing rules with broader residency regulations. Some also pointed to international practices where income and residency criteria are used in transport-related decisions. The government, however, opposed both amendments, stating that existing regulations already require valid residency for obtaining and renewing driving licences. Officials warned the changes could create administrative challenges, particularly regarding renewal systems and long-term residency categories. The Interior Ministry also said the proposed framework would be difficult to implement consistently because it does not follow a unified system. It further noted that current laws already allow the […]

2 months ago

Malaysia Moves To Tighten Rules For Expats, Raising Fears Of Talent Flight

Until recently, Sanjeet, a business consultant from India, thought of Malaysia as home. After living and working in the Southeast Asian nation for more than a decade, he had become comfortable with the climate, people and way of life. “Once I had crossed the five-year mark, Malaysia seemed like an ideal long-term choice,” Sanjeet, who is in his 40s and asked to use a pseudonym, told Al Jazeera. “One gets used to what Malaysia has to offer.” But after a recent move by the Malaysian government to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign workers, Sanjeet’s plans – and those of thousands like him – have been plunged into doubt. From June onwards, the minimum salary threshold for foreign workers to obtain a visa will be raised by as much as twofold, and employers will be limited in how long they can sponsor the same visa-holder. “What was surprising was that this came out of the blue,” Sanjeet said. “It does leave room for doubt in terms of long-term plans, which include things like buying a house or car here.” Malaysia, which transformed into one of Southeast Asia’s most developed economies after gaining independence from Britain in the 1960s, has been […]

2 months ago

Saudi Arabia Allows Holders Of Expired Visas To Extend Up To April 18 Or Leave Directly

In implementation of the Saudi leadership’s directives, the Ministry of Interior has begun rectifying the status of those holders of visas, who were unable to leave the Kingdom due to the current circumstances in the region. These visas include visit visas of all types, Umrah, transit, and final exit visas that have expired as of February 25, 2026. The ministry instructed that the visas that have expired as of February 25, 2026, may be extended upon the request of the visitor’s host until April 18, 2026, after paying the legally mandated fees through the Absher platform. Holders of visas (visit visas of all types, Umrah, transit, and final exit visas) that have expired as of February 25, 2026, are allowed to depart through international points directly, without extending their visas or paying any fees or late fines. The ministry called on all beneficiaries of these directives to depart before April 18 so as to avoid the enforcement of applicable regulations in the Kingdom against violators.

3 months ago

Saudi Arabia Warns Of SR50,000 Fine, Jail And Deportation For Failing To Report Visa Overstayers

Saudi Arabia’s Public Security has urged citizens and residents to report visit visa holders who overstay their permitted period, warning of fines of up to SR50,000 and imprisonment for up to six months for failing to notify authorities. Officials said sponsors are legally required to report a visitor’s departure once a visa expires. Non-Saudi residents who fail to do so may also face deportation. The General Directorate of Passports said penalties for violations of residency, labour and border security regulations include imprisonment, fines and deportation in accordance with applicable laws. The directorate called on citizens, residents and business owners not to transport, employ or shelter violators, nor to conceal them or assist them in obtaining work, housing or transport. It urged the public to cooperate in reporting offenders, stressing that all reports would be handled in strict confidence and that informants would bear no legal liability.

3 months ago

Bahrain: No Foreign Hires Without 21-Day Wait

Private-sector employers must advertise vacancies locally for seven days and allow a 21-day window for Bahraini applicants before seeking approval to hire expatriate workers, the ministry has said. In a written reply to MP Mohammed Al Rifai, the ministry stressed that the measure is designed to give citizens priority access to private-sector jobs. It said 505,998 expatriates are currently employed in the private sector on valid work permits. However, as of October 2025, 11,437 expatriates in the commercial workforce and 5,748 domestic workers were holding expired permits and had not left Bahrain. Trade and vehicle repair accounted for the largest share of foreign workers at 124,503, followed closely by construction with 118,666. Accommodation and food services employed 63,881 expatriates, while manufacturing accounted for 54,022. Administrative and support services stood at 40,104, and professional, scientific and technical activities at 26,441, the ministry said. It added that 152,106 expatriates in the commercial sector have remained with the same employer for more than five years, with overall service records tracked through contributions to the Social Insurance Organisation. On the recruitment of Bahrainis, the ministry said suitable vacancies must be posted on the National Employment Platform to enable citizens to apply. It added that […]

3 months ago

New Residency Fees And Conditions Set For Expat Families In Kuwait

The Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Residency Affairs has unveiled a sweeping set of procedural changes governing residency permits for expatriates with family ties to Kuwaiti citizens, as part of ongoing efforts to reform immigration and tighten oversight of long‑standing dependent visa arrangements. Under the new framework, children and spouses of expatriates will now be classified and processed under Article 22 of the residency law, subject to all existing Ministry regulations and eligibility conditions. The move brings greater uniformity to permits long dominated by piecemeal practice and signals a more rigorous application of residency requirements across the board. For spouses and widows of Kuwaiti nationals, the regulations take on a different structure. Wives of Kuwaitis have been reclassified under Article 26, a category that now explicitly encompasses husbands of Kuwaiti women as well. Both groups will be charged an annual fee of 15 Kuwaiti dinars (KWD) per case, regardless of gender. Widows and divorcees of Kuwaiti citizens are also eligible for residency under Article 28, at the same annual rate and subject to approval by the Ministry. One notable expansion in family coverage comes under Article 27, which now allows fee‑free residency permits for maternal uncles and aunts of Kuwaiti citizens. The inclusion of extended relatives reflects an effort to broaden support […]

4 months ago

Bahrain: Expat Worker Awarded BD627 After Company Fails To Pay Leave And End-Of-Service Benefits

The High Labour Court has ordered a company to pay BD627 in compensation to an expatriate worker after finding it failed to settle his end-of-service benefits and annual leave pay when his two-year contract ended. The ruling also requires the firm to pay legal interest at one per cent per year from the date the case was filed until the full amount is settled, in addition to covering court costs. The compensation includes BD251 in lieu of unused annual leave and BD376 as an end-ofservice gratuity. According to lawyer Zainab Al Halwachi, the worker was employed on a fixedterm contract for two years, earning a monthly salary of BD250, and had fulfilled his duties throughout the contract period. During proceedings, the company denied any employment relationship with the claimant and alleged that the signature on the employment contract submitted to the court was forged, requesting that the original document be produced. The worker told the court that the original contract was retained by the company, and the court also heard testimony from witnesses. In its judgment, the court said the company failed to prove that the worker had taken his annual leave or that it had paid him cash in […]

4 months ago

Saudi Arabia Limits Key Roles To Nationals As Job Title Changes For Expats Suspended

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has begun suspending the service that allows changes to certain job titles held by expatriate workers, according to the latest updates on the official Qiwa labour platform. The suspension affects a number of prominent positions now restricted to Saudi nationals, including general manager, sales representative, marketing specialist and procurement manager, limiting employers’ ability to amend occupational classifications for foreign employees. Qiwa, operated by the ministry, is the government’s primary digital platform for regulating private-sector labour relations, overseeing employment contracts, job classifications and workforce mobility. The move forms part of broader efforts to tighten labour-market regulation and ensure closer alignment between job titles and actual professional responsibilities, particularly in senior and commercially sensitive roles. The ministry has not said whether the restrictions are temporary or whether additional professions will be added.

4 months ago

Pakistanis In UAE Can Continue Using Their Home Country SIMs Without Blocking

Pakistanis living in the UAE and other countries can use their mobile phone SIM without being blocked by their government when they’re living abroad. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that subscribers are required to inform their respective service providers to ensure the continuity of their service. The regulator said that in order to serve the country’s diaspora, it has “introduced facilitative measures to prevent the blocking of mobile SIMs during their foreign stay. Under this initiative, subscribers may inform their respective service providers to avail this facility for a specific duration, subject to applicable charges (if any).” This will greatly benefit more than 1.7 million Pakistani nationals living and working in the UAE. In total, there are around 10 million Pakistani citizens living and working in foreign countries, with more than half, 5.5 million, in the Gulf countries, mostly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. “This initiative enables Pakistani citizens staying abroad to retain subscriptions to their mobile SIMs, ensuring uninterrupted access to mobile services through their respective service providers,” the Pakistani regulatory body said in a statement on social media. Requirements The prepaid subscribers, it said, are required to generate at least one activity, such as making a call, sending an SMS, […]

4 months ago

Saudi Arabia deports more than 14,000 illegal expats in one week

Saudi Arabia has arrested more than 18,000 people in a week-long nationwide campaign targeting violations of residency, labour and border security laws. The Ministry of Interior said the joint field campaigns, carried out across all regions between January 15 and January 21, resulted in the arrest of 18,200 violators. Of those detained, 11,442 were found to be in breach of residency regulations, 3,931 violated border security laws, and 2,827 were cited for labour-related offences. The operation also focused on irregular border crossings. Authorities said 1,762 people were arrested while attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. Nearly half of them were Yemeni nationals, while 53 percent were Ethiopian, with the remaining one percent from other nationalities. An additional 46 individuals were apprehended while trying to leave the Kingdom through unofficial routes. Security forces also detained 11 people accused of facilitating violations by transporting, sheltering or employing illegal residents, or concealing their presence. According to the ministry, 25,477 expatriates are currently undergoing legal procedures related to residency, labour or border violations. This group includes 23,443 men and 2,034 women. As part of the enforcement process, 18,685 violators have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 3,011 were sent […]

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Bahrain: New Conditions For Expats

Malaysia Moves To Tighten Rules For Expats, Raising Fears Of Talent Flight

Saudi Arabia Allows Holders Of Expired Visas To Extend Up To April 18 Or Leave Directly

Saudi Arabia Warns Of SR50,000 Fine, Jail And Deportation For Failing To Report Visa Overstayers

Bahrain: No Foreign Hires Without 21-Day Wait

New Residency Fees And Conditions Set For Expat Families In Kuwait

Bahrain: Expat Worker Awarded BD627 After Company Fails To Pay Leave And End-Of-Service Benefits

Saudi Arabia Limits Key Roles To Nationals As Job Title Changes For Expats Suspended

Pakistanis In UAE Can Continue Using Their Home Country SIMs Without Blocking

Saudi Arabia deports more than 14,000 illegal expats in one week

Recent Posts

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Bahrain Team Continues Strong Performance At 4th GCC Games In Doha, Maintains 55 Medals

New Salary Rule In UAE: Unified Wage Deadline Set For Private Sector Employers

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