New Residency Laws Boost Kuwait's War on Illicit Visa Trafficking

 
 
 

The gang was involved in facilitating illegal residency transfers and the illegal entry of foreign workers into Kuwait. According to security sources, the gang charged between 400 dinars for local residency transfers and up to 2,000 dinars or more for bringing workers into the country illegally. Their operations were highly organized, with the Egyptian leader, known as "the fox," coordinating the activities, and his two accomplices—employees in the residency and manpower departments—providing the necessary support to manipulate official records.

After thorough investigations, authorities uncovered over 275 manipulated company records, some of which were legitimate while others were fictitious. These companies were used to create fake job opportunities and issue work permits for more than 553 workers, all for financial gain. The gang’s activities were not limited to residency transfers. They also exploited the system by registering workers under these fake companies, many of which were closed immediately after the residency permits were issued and payments were received. This left numerous workers in legal limbo, unaware of their illegal status, and wandering the country in violation of the law.

After gathering sufficient evidence, the security forces moved in to arrest the gang members. The Egyptian leader, "the fox," and his two accomplices were apprehended and subsequently confessed to their crimes. They admitted to tampering with official transactions, manipulating company records, and issuing fraudulent work permits in exchange for large sums of money. The total amount earned by the gang through these illegal activities exceeded one million dinars.

All individuals involved in the illegal visa trading scheme have been referred for prosecution. The new residency law, which has been recently updated, imposes severe penalties on those involved in residency trafficking. Offenders face imprisonment ranging from 3 to 5 years and fines between 5,000 and 10,000 dinars. The penalties are even harsher for public employees who abuse their positions to facilitate such crimes, with the law stipulating doubled penalties in such cases.

  • Enhanced Transaction Monitoring: Increased scrutiny of residency and work permit transactions under new laws and regulations.
  • 24/7 Hotline: A hotline is available for reporting residency trafficking around the clock.
  • Comprehensive Audits: A plan has been established to ensure the legitimacy of companies used for residency permits.
  • Electronic Monitoring Systems: Advanced electronic systems are introduced to make it harder for violators to manipulate the system.
  • Surprise Inspections: Continuous field inspections are being conducted to detect and address any violations.

The government encourages workers to report violations without fear of punishment, emphasizing the protection of whistleblowers. At the same time, the law mandates strict and severe penalties for anyone involved in residency trafficking, sending a clear message that such crimes will not be tolerated.

  
****************************************************
 
  
IFL  - Kuwait 2025