Covid pandemic sees 20,000 expats lose Kuwait residency

Kuwait has scrapped the residency permits of as many as 20,000 expatriate workers due to their prolonged stay outside the country during the coronavirus pandemic, the Public Authority for Manpower has said.

Expats from 20 countries saw their permits expire between 10 March 2020 and 15 March 2021, when countries - including Kuwait - closed borders and restricted travel due to the pandemic.

Egyptians were the largest group affected, followed by Indian and Sri Lankan workers, according to Gulf News.

However, expatriates can still appeal the decision, Director General of Residency Affairs Brigadier Hamad Al-Tawala said.

"Accordingly, sponsors of expatriates whose residence permits have expired when they are out of the country must obtain approval from this committee for the issuance of entry visas," Al-Tawala told Al Jarida newspaper.

"Once they are admitted, they will get the residence permits requested by their sponsors."

Expat workers now looking to return to Kuwait will also need approval from the country's Covid-19 ministerial committee.  

Al-Tawala added that those who have been outside of Kuwait for more than six months will be allowed to return if their permits are still valid.

Under current coronavirus restrictions, most foreigners remain barred from entering Kuwait under a law which was passed on 7 February, Kuwait's Civil Aviation Authority reiterated on Sunday.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Kuwait saw an exodus of around 140,000 foreign workers as companies temporarily closed or ceased operations completely.

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