The Ministry of Interior in Kuwait is set to implement a revamped fine structure for residency law violations beginning January 5, introducing significantly higher penalties aimed at ensuring compliance among expatriates and visitors.
The new fine structure, which significantly increases penalties for various violations, is designed to address issues such as overstays, work visa violations, and failures to register newborns.
Under the updated rules, individuals who fail to register newborns within a four-month grace period will face a fine of 2 dinars (About Dh24) for the first month of delay and 4 dinars for every subsequent month. The total fine for this violation is capped at 2,000 dinars. Similar penalties apply to work visa violations, which are subject to the same fine structure but carry a maximum fine of 1,200 dinars.
For those overstaying visit visas, the fines will be 10 dinars per day, with a maximum penalty of 2,000 dinars. Domestic workers who violate temporary residency or departure notices will be fined 2 dinars per day, up to a maximum of 600 dinars.
Failure to register newborns (beyond a 4-month grace period):
- 2 dinars (about Dh24) for the first month of delay.
- 4 dinars for each subsequent month.
- Maximum fine: 2,000 dinars.
- Work visa violations:
- 2 dinars per day for the first month.
- 4 dinars per day thereafter.
- Maximum fine: 1,200 dinars.
- Overstaying visit visas:
- 10 dinars per day.
- Maximum fine: 2,000 dinars.
Domestic workers violating temporary residency or departure notices:
- 2 dinars per day.
- Maximum fine: 600 dinars.
- Residency cancellations under Articles 17, 18, and 20:
- 2 dinars per day for the first month.
- 4 dinars per day thereafter.
- Maximum fine: 1,200 dinars.
- Overstaying temporary residency or failing to renew residency:
- Maximum fine: 2,000 dinars for visitors, 1,200 dinars for residency holders.
Additionally, residency cancellations under Articles 17, 18, and 20 will incur fines of 2 dinars per day for the first month and 4 dinars per day thereafter, with a maximum penalty of 1,200 dinars.
The revised system also targets expatriates who overstay their temporary residency or fail to renew or leave the country after their residency expires. Previously, the maximum fine was limited to 600 dinars.
To support the enforcement of these new rules, the Ministry of Interior has upgraded its computer systems to incorporate the revised violations and penalties.
The updated fine structure imposes a maximum penalty of 1,200 dinars for residency holders and 2,000 dinars for visitors. Authorities have called on all residents and visitors to ensure their legal status is in order to avoid facing these steep penalties.
