The Kuwait Municipality Public Relations Department has unveiled the installation of the largest display screen in the State of Kuwait, situated on the old Municipal Council building overlooking the intersection of Naif Palace and the Capital Governorate Building. In a press statement, the department announced that the Construction Department in the Projects Sector has completed the decoration work for the main municipal buildings, including the installation of an external screen on the old municipal council building.

Measuring an impressive 80 meters in length and 15 meters in height, with a total area of 1,200 square meters, the screen boasts the capability to display any live broadcast from smartphone apps or terrestrial and satellite channels. Abdul Wahab Al-Musallam, the Director of the Capital and Jahra Contract in the Projects Sector, highlighted that the installation was carried out by directives from the Director General of Kuwait Municipality, Engineer Saud Al-Dabbous, and under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director General, Engineer Maysaa Bu Shehri.

Al-Musallam further elaborated that all decoration and lighting works for the main buildings were meticulously completed, with the external screen featuring the “Net Screen” system, enabling the display of videos, pictures, or text. Additionally, the screen can be divided into multiple sections to simultaneously broadcast two or three channels. Notably, the screen was designed to be transparent to preserve the building’s external appearance while serving as a platform for visual displays, including the state flag’s lights.

The introduction of this advanced technology marks a significant milestone and represents a qualitative shift in the decoration of government buildings in the State of Kuwait.

The Kuwait Society for Combating Smoking and Cancer issued a compelling call to action, emphasizing the critical need for stringent laws and regulations aimed at curbing smoking, including e-smoking in all its variations. Dr. Khaled Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Association’s Board of Directors, delivered this message during a lecture titled “Tobacco and Electronic Smoking… Risks and Harms,” presented today as part of the activities marking the ninth joint Gulf Cancer Awareness Week, themed “We are with you.”

Highlighting smoking as a global challenge leading to increased mortality rates, Dr. Al-Saleh underscored the alarming statistic of approximately 8 million premature deaths annually attributed to smoking-related causes. He emphasized the profound health repercussions, particularly the strong association between smoking and lung cancer. Dr. Al-Saleh noted that Kuwaiti men and women typically initiate smoking between the ages of 17 and 30, with smoking prevalence rates standing at 39.2% among men and 3.3% among women.

Addressing the proliferation of electronic smoking, Dr. Al-Saleh cautioned against misconceptions regarding its safety compared to traditional tobacco smoking. Contrary to popular belief, studies have revealed that electronic smoking devices contain varying levels of nicotine, similar to conventional smoking methods.

Dr. Al-Saleh called for the allocation of adequate budgets for smoking awareness and treatment programs, aligned with the substantial health burdens imposed by smoking on healthcare systems. He emphasized the collective responsibility of governmental, civil, and private entities in combating the scourge of smoking, emphasizing it as a national imperative.

Understanding the New Visit Visa Regulations Set to Commence This Wednesday

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, many countries are revisiting their immigration policies to better manage the influx of visitors. A significant update comes from the upcoming changes to the visit visa rules, which are set to take effect this Wednesday. These modifications aim to streamline the visitation process while ensuring that visitors and expatriates can enjoy a hassle-free experience. This detailed article delves into the nuances of the new regulations, offering clarity and guidance to prospective visitors.

1. Visa Validity and Entry Requirements

Under the new regulations, individuals granted a visit visa must enter the country within a month from the date the visa is issued. This change underscores the importance of timely travel planning, as visas will become invalid after this one-month period. This measure is designed to prevent the accumulation of unused visas and ensure that visitors are genuinely intending to enter the country within a specified timeframe.

2. Revised Visit Visa Durations

A significant adjustment has been made concerning the duration of visit visas:

• For Wives and Children of Expatriates: The duration for visit visas has been reduced to three months. This change aims to better accommodate the short-term nature of family visits while still allowing ample time for families to spend together.
• For Parents and Siblings: The visit visa duration for parents and siblings is now limited to one month. This adjustment reflects a more streamlined approach to managing family visits, ensuring that visitors can enjoy their stay without overstaying.

3. Age Restrictions for Visit Visa Applicants

In a move to tailor the visit visa policy more precisely, individuals over the age of 50 will generally not be eligible for a visit visa. However, exceptions may be made for parents above this age threshold, subject to a thorough review of the applicant's situation and salary. This criterion ensures that visitors can adequately support themselves during their stay and that their visit is in line with the country's immigration objectives.

4. Health Insurance Requirement

A notable proposal under consideration is the requirement for visit visa applicants to purchase health insurance. This potential requirement aims to safeguard visitors and the healthcare system, ensuring that all visitors can access medical care without imposing a financial burden on the host country.

5. Minimum Salary Requirements

The financial capability of expatriates applying for visit visas for their families has been addressed through specific salary requirements:

• For Wives and Children: A minimum salary of 400 KWD is required to apply for a visit visa. This requirement ensures that visiting family members are adequately supported during their stay.
• For Parents and Siblings: The minimum salary threshold is set at 800 KWD for visit visas. This higher requirement reflects the additional financial responsibility assumed by those inviting extended family members.

Conclusion

The forthcoming changes to the visit visa regulations represent a significant shift in immigration policy, emphasizing the need for responsible tourism and family visits. By setting clear guidelines on visa validity, duration, applicant eligibility, and financial requirements, the new rules aim to foster a balanced and sustainable visitation framework. Prospective visitors and expatriates are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these changes, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable visitation experience.

These updates underscore the country's commitment to maintaining a welcoming yet regulated environment for international visitors. As the implementation date approaches, it is crucial for all potential visitors and expatriates to review these regulations closely and prepare accordingly to ensure compliance and a hassle-free entry.

The registration of a new vehicle is mandatory whenever you buy one. When you purchase a new vehicle in Kuwait, it is automatically registered for the first three years. After that, registration must be renewed annually.

The process of renewing a vehicle's registration in Kuwait involves three major steps.

1. Third-party insurance: 

 Purchasing third-party insurance is the first step of the renewal process. The importance of having valid insurance in the event of an accident cannot be overstated. There are different insurance fees for different types of vehicles and passenger capacities. Generally, insurance fees range from 20 KD to 250 KD. Getting normal insurance would cost  20 KD. Choosing premium insurance, however, will cost you hundreds of KD.

From Jan 2nd  2024 You can renew vehicle insurance online , using website https://beema.iru.gov.kw/

For Sedan The Insurance Price Would Be 20 KD

For SUV The Insurance price would be 21 KD

Once you make the payment online for insurance , you will get the copy of insurance , please print it

2. Technical inspection of the Vehicle: 

After your vehicle's insurance has been completed, the next step is to take it for a technical inspection at a traffic inspection department, based on your address. Each governorate has one traffic inspection department. Earlier the inspection was free of cost, now there are charges

Carry following Documents

1. Insurance Paper

2. Copy of Civil ID

3. Original vehicle registration daftar

Technical inspection charges are as follows: 

- KD 2 for trucks, taxis, buses, agricultural and industrial vehicles, commercial vehicles, and ATVs.  

- KD 1 for Motorcycle.

Other fees related to the technical inspection:

- If you are doing inspection at a private company authorized by Minsitry , the charges will be 10 KD 

- They are otherr charges , if you are changing color of  the vehicle  , obtaining car plates, and obtaining various permits etc

MP Muhannad Al-Sayer has asked Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Yusuf Al-Sabah to provide him with a copy of Ministerial Resolution number 56/2024 on the rules and regulations for the issuance of family visas. He wants to know if some categories were excluded from the salary and university qualification requirements stated in the decision, what these categories and the reasons for their exclusion, the reasons for the suspension of the issuance of family visas in the previous period, and the resumption of the issuance of such visas, and copies of studies in this regard if any.

Meanwhile, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah has referred to National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun a draft law on opening an additional appropriation amounting to KD 50 million in the budget of ministries and government departments for fiscal 2023/2024 (Chapter Eight: Public Accounts, Other Expenditures and Transfers.) The parliamentary Budgets and Final Accounts Committee received the draft law for approval and inclusion in the agenda of the session slated for Tuesday to vote on it, along with the committee’s report regarding the allocations of the Head of State, provided that the additional appropriation is taken from the State’s general reserve.

The government explained in its draft law that in view of the death of HH the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah and the assumption of the emirate by HH Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah, the approved amount does not cover the allocations of the Head of State in fiscal 2023/2024. In addition, Chairman of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri revealed that the Priorities Committee on Sunday discussed the agenda of the upcoming session with the representatives of the government. He stressed that he will not allow the removal of the bills on increasing the cost of living allowance and the zero interest loans for retirees from the agenda. He pointed out that he can accept this only on one condition – if the government issues decisions to increase the cost of living allowance and the zero interest loans for retirees.

He urged the government to pay attention to the citizens’ demands, asserting that the claims about the budget deficit are not true. He affirmed that the financial condition of the State is very strong, such that it will not be affected by the approval of the aforementioned bills. He pointed out that the deficit is not in the State budget, but in the minds of some people. On the other hand, the Assembly Speaker has included 12 incoming letters in the agenda of Tuesday’s session as follows:

- A letter from MP Shuaib Shaaban requesting that the Health Affairs Committee be assigned to review the justifications for not establishing a hospital or increasing the capacity of the health center in Jaber Al-Ahmad City and the delay in providing health services in Al-Mutlaa City; indicating the committee must submit its report within three months.

- A letter from a group of MPs requesting that the Public Utilities Committee be assigned to investigate the causes of the dilapidation of the buildings designated for the Ministry of Social Affairs in Sulaibikhat. The committee must submit its report within three months.

- A letter from a group of MPs requesting that the Public Funds Protection Committee be assigned to investigate the amounts that Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) spent on media advertisements.

- A letter from a group of MPs requesting that the Environmental Affairs, Food and Water Security Committee be assigned to investigate the environmental damage resulting from the lack of sanitation in Al-Mutlaa.

- A letter from a group of MPs requesting that the Environmental Affairs, Food and Water Security Committee be assigned to investigate the environmental situation of the landfills in South Abdullah Al-Mubarak.

- A letter from a group of MPs requesting that the Environmental Affairs, Food and Water Security Committee be assigned to investigate the lack of green spaces in various regions.

- A letter from a group of MPs requesting that the Environmental Affairs, Food and Water Security Committee be assigned to investigate the existing environmental violations in Asherij.

- A letter from a group of MPs requesting that the Environmental Affairs, Food and Water Security Committee be assigned to investigate the environmental damage to telecommunications towers.

- A letter from the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee requesting for an extension of its mandate to submit its report on the draft law on establishing the Northern Economic Zone for a period of four months.

- A letter from a group of MPs requesting that the Priorities Committee be assigned to set a two-hour period in one of the upcoming legislative sessions to discuss the State Audit Bureau’s report on assessing all the work of the Health Insurance Hospitals Company.

- A letter from MP Dr Hamad Al-Matar requesting the invitation of the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to implement recommendation number eight issued in the special session of the Assembly on Nov 1, 2023, to quickly complete the procedures for transferring the injured from the Al-Aqsa Flood to undergo treatment in the State of Kuwait.

- A letter from a group of MPs requesting that the joint committee between the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee and the Human Resources Committee urgently study and discuss proposals to issue laws regulating the appointment of officials; indicating the joint committee must submit its report within one month.

Moreover, MP Hamad Al-Matar asked Sheikh Fahd Yusuf Al- Sabah to provide him with copies of the contracts that the Ministry of Interior signed in 2022 for the maintenance of Banhard AML armored vehicles for three years, copy of the advertisement for this tender, names of the two contracting companies, reasons for awarding the tender to Smartech General Trading and Contracting Company, if this company is owned by the previous company or owned by any of the previous company’s partners. He also inquired about contract number 715 for fiscal 2014/2015 to build, supply and maintain interceptor cruisers and contract number 68 for fiscal year 2018/2019 to build and supply special cruisers in view of the report of the State Audit Bureau (SAB) about the financial violations uncovered in the contracts. He pointed out that SAB recommended the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate these violations.

He requested a copy of the decision to form the fact-finding committee, the tasks of the committee, and the conclusions and recommendations presented by the committee. He asked about the ministerial decision on authorizing private companies to conduct technical inspections of vehicles and issue registration books. He wants to know the number of authorized companies, oversight procedures adopted by the ministry in dealing with these companies, fees paid by each company to obtain authorization, number of transactions completed by the companies compared to that of the concerned department at the Ministry of Interior, total revenues collected from the companies for obtaining authorization, and amount of revenues transferred to the public Treasury.

Al-Matar also forwarded queries to Minister of Health Dr Ahmed Al-Awadhi about Retirees Health Insurance Law number 114/2014 and its amendment — law number 71/2023, which stipulates the additional categories of beneficiaries. He said Article 11 of the law allows retirees specified in a decision of the health minister to visit the facilities allocated for providing health insurance services, inspect them, view the files, and record violations that will be referred to the concerned authorities. He requested a detailed report; including the list of inspected facilities, recorded violations, and measures taken regarding these violations.

In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Interior has confirmed the continuation of its biometric fingerprinting initiative for citizens, residents, and individuals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This measure will be implemented at all of the nation’s border crossings, Kuwait International Airport, and designated centers throughout the country.

The General Administration of Security Relations and Media clarified that citizens, GCC nationals, and residents can undergo biometric fingerprinting upon their arrival at dedicated centers and commercial complexes. These locations include:

Hawalli Security Directorate in Hawalli Governorate

Farwaniya Security Directorate in Farwaniya Governorate

Al-Ahmadi Security Directorate in Al-Ahmadi Governorate

Mubarak Al-Kabeer Security Directorate in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate

Al-Jahra Security Directorate in Al-Jahra Governorate (specifically for citizens and GCC nationals)

Personality Investigation Department

Corporate fingerprinting in the Ali Sabah Al-Salem area

Personal identification fingerprinting of companies in the Jahra area (for residents).

The Avenues Mall

360 Mall

Al Kout Mall

The Capital Mall

The Ministry Complex

The Ministry emphasized that travelers departing from Kuwait are not required to undergo fingerprinting but will be subjected to the process upon their return. Notably, in January 2024, Kuwait International Airport recorded 26,238 arrivals who underwent the biometric fingerprinting procedure as part of heightened security measures.

The Ministry of Interior is considering the possibility of reintroducing diverse categories of visit visas for Kuwait, encompassing commercial, tourist, and family visit visas.

This consideration arises in response to the recent decision made by Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Acting Minister of the Interior, to reopen family / dependent visas with updated conditions and regulations. Sources have disclosed that this move is in harmony with the vision of the new government, spearheaded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah, to revitalize Kuwait’s tourism, which has been on hold for several years.

Striving to realize its economic goals, the new administration seeks to stimulate business operations within the nation, foreseeing beneficial effects across diverse sectors and attracting global visitors, mirroring the strategies employed by fellow Gulf nations.

The sources emphasized that the reopening of visit visas will be executed with meticulous attention to specific guidelines and conditions. These measures will consider various social, security, and other dimensions, ensuring that the issuance of these visit visas does not lead to an increase in the number of violators. The Ministry of Interior’s substantial progress online and the shift toward digital operations is expected to enhance control measures, guaranteeing that visitors adhere to the country’s laws.

Dubai-based Emirates introduces exclusive pre-approved visa-on-arrival for select Indian passport holders. Eligible travelers can now enjoy seamless entry with their Emirates flight bookings.

The cutting-edge 14-day single entry visa by Emirates, facilitates streamlined entry for airlines’ esteemed customers upon arrival in Dubai. This innovative initiative enhances the travel experience by expediting entry processes, ensuring a seamless journey for Emirates travelers.

Driven by the Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) – VFS Global’s esteemed facility, meticulously selected by Emirates Airline for its unparalleled reliability, the initiative ensures hassle-free UAE visa processing.

Cost and Eligibility

Indian nationals with a valid passport, meeting the six-month validity requirement, can now enjoy hassle-free visa-on-arrival in the UAE. Additionally, travelers must hold a valid US visa or green card, or EU/UK residency with at least six months of validity.

Since 2017, eligible travelers have received visa-on-arrival at UAE airports, stamped upon disembarkation. Now, Emirates customers can streamline their arrival with pre-arranged visas, breezing through customs. The service, priced at $47 plus a $18.50 service fee, simplifies entry formalities.

Emirates said that visa issuance is solely at the discretion of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs.

Application process

Customers can access their booked tickets on Emirates’ digital platforms and apply for a UAE visa through the provided link. Once, the customers ‘apply for a UAE visa’ link, they will be redirected to the online application site powered by VFS Global Services, detailing requirements and terms.

Dubai played host to an impressive two million overnight visitors from India during the January to October 2023 period, as reported by Dubai Tourism statistics. This significant influx underscores the enduring allure of the emirate as a premier destination for Indian travelers.

Emirates currently boasts a robust presence in India, connecting travelers to nine vibrant destinations with a staggering 167 weekly flights. From the bustling streets of Delhi to the serene shores of Thiruvananthapuram, the airline’s extensive network includes key cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Chennai.

The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has launched the service for obtaining part-time work permits through the Sahel platform, reports Al-Seyassah daily. This is part of procedures aimed at developing the labor market to meet manpower demands and to ease the process for employers to benefit from workers who are already in Kuwait as one way of addressing the demographic imbalance issue. Following are the conditions and fees for obtaining a part-time work permit:

1. Approval of the original employer,

2. Maximum part-time work is four hours except the contracting sector,

3. Payment of corresponding fees — KD 5 for one month, KD 10 for three months, KD 20 for six months and KD 30 for one year.

On the other hand, citizens are exempted from these conditions and fees. They can apply for part-time work with the approval of the original employer in line with the laws on protecting competitiveness.

The Ministry of Interior has issued a warning, urging residents and expatriates to refrain from using names and birthdates as secret codes in electronic accounts due to the risk of these accounts being targeted by specialized hacking groups involved in theft, burglary, and email breaches, reports Al-Seyassah daily.

The Ministry outlined five key tips for creating a robust password for enhanced security. These include ensuring passwords contain a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers, with a minimum length of 10 characters. It also advises against using easily guessable information such as birthdates, names, personal numbers, and phone numbers. Additionally, the Ministry recommends not using the same password for all electronic accounts, periodically changing passwords, and avoiding sequential or repetitive combinations. Sharing electronic accounts and passwords is strongly discouraged, and it is advised to keep them away from public visibility.

As the nation gears up to celebrate its upcoming 63rd anniversary of Independence Day and the 33rd Liberation Day, the Public Relations Department of the Kuwait Municipality has initiated decoration works across the city, marking the beginning of the municipality’s preparations for the national celebrations scheduled on February 25 and 26.

A specialized field team has been diligently installing state flags across various prominent locations in Kuwait as part of the ongoing preparations for the national celebrations. The installation process, which began earlier this week and will continue until next week, includes significant landmarks such as Bayan Palace, the airport, Riyadh roads, multiple bridges, main roundabouts, iconic squares like Safat Square and Mubarakiya markets, as well as the main buildings in all six governorates of the country.

The government has referred decree number 5/2024 on the State budget for fiscal 2024/2025 to the National Assembly. The decree includes 41 reports on the budgets of ministries, public institutions, independent budget institutions and subsidiaries.

According to the decree, the total State budget is KD18,662,209,000 and the estimated expenditure is KD24,555,000,000; so the deficit is estimated at KD5,892,791,000. Meanwhile, Chairman of the parliamentary Financial and Economic Affairs Committee MP Shuaib Al- Muwaizri disclosed that the reports of the committee on the bills about the cost of living allowance increment and zero interest loans have been included in the agenda of the session scheduled for Feb 6, 2024. He affirmed these bills will be discussed and voted on to bring glad tidings to the people of Kuwait. He disclosed that the bill on increasing the cost of living allowance to KD250 per month covers the public sector employees, nationals working in the private sector and receiving the national labor subsidy, retirees, and those with medium and severe disabilities. He said the other bill is on amending Article 112 of the Public Institution for Social Security Law No. 61/1976 to increase the maximum amount of zero interest loan to 15 times of the beneficiary’s salary.

He affirmed these two bills are part of the legislative agenda approved by 48 MPs, urging his colleagues to bear their responsibility towards the citizens. On the other hand, MP Osama Al- Shaheen forwarded queries to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Yusuf Al-Sabah about the family visa regulations. He wants to know the new rules in this regard, if there is a quota for every expatriate community, and developments in the enforcement of Law No. 74/2020 on addressing the demographic imbalance issue since the Council of Ministers assigned the Interior Minister to implement the law.

MP Hamdan Al-Azmi asked Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil Emad Al-Atiqi if the recommendations of the parliamentary fact-finding committee formed in the previous legislative year about the violations in the recruitment and promotion of employees at Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation (KNPC) have been implemented, if the percentage of nationals working in contracting companies was modified given the recommendations that nationals should constitute at least 40 percent of the total administrative workforce and 50 percent of the total number of technical staff, percentage of national workers in the last five years, and strategy to Kuwaitize jobs in contracting companies. He added the committee also recommended filling up vacancies in KNPC and the executive regulations must be amended such that positions are not left vacant for more than three months. He inquired about the current number of vacancies at KNPC and its subsidiaries, if any position has been vacant for years, and reasons behind the delay in filling up vacancies. He also requested for the list of the chairpersons and members of the boards of directors of KNPC’s subsidiaries including their qualifications, age, term and date of appointment. He asked about the number of vacant board chairperson and member posts in the subsidiaries, number of expatriates working at KNPC and its subsidiaries, number of terminated expatriate workers since the implementation of the policy on replacing expatriates with nationals, number of national workers appointed at KNPC and its subsidiaries since the enforcement of the policy, current number of nationals working at KNPC and its subsidiaries compared to the expatriates.

 In adherence to the directives issued by the Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Lieutenant General Sheikh Salem Al-Nawaf, emphasizing the need to intensify security and traffic efforts nationwide, authorities recently conducted comprehensive campaigns to apprehend violators and maintain law and order.

The objective was to sternly address any threat to the country’s security and uphold traffic regulations. The operations, overseen by Major General Abdullah Al-Rajaib, Assistant Undersecretary of Public Security, Major General Yousef Al-Khuda, Director of the General Traffic Department, and Brigadier General Fares Al-Qahtani, Director of the General Department of Rescue, were executed in various regions, reports Al-Rai daily. Conducted over six hours, beginning at eleven o’clock in the evening and concluding at dawn, the campaigns focused on key areas such as Jaber Al-Ahmad, Saad Al-Abdullah, Kairouan, and the Second Ring Road.

The deployment of patrols and establishment of security checkpoints were key components of the strategy, aimed at ensuring continuous security presence and preventing any potential disruptions to the safety of citizens and residents. During the operations, 30 individuals were apprehended for violating residency laws, while over 20 others faced charges related to drug possession, abuse, and imprisonment sentences. A total of 600 traffic violations were issued to reckless drivers and judicially wanted vehicles were seized.

Additionally, six vehicles failing to meet security conditions were subjected to a block. The campaigns involved the strategic distribution of security personnel across various regions, with Public Security patrols covering Jahra Governorate and joint efforts from the General Department of Rescue and the General Traffic Department in the capital and Jahra. The “Rasid” device played a crucial role in the identification of wanted individuals and violators, expediting the process and allowing authorities to issue violations promptly through the Sahl application. Security sources emphasized that these campaigns aim to safeguard citizens and residents, acting as a deterrent to anyone contemplating actions that may destabilize security or violate the law. The initiatives align with the directives of the senior leadership within the Ministry of Interior, with a commitment to maintaining daily operations to ensure the country’s overall security.

A flag-hoisting ceremony will be held at Bayan Palace on Wednesday under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, launching nationwide celebrations to mark the country’s national festivals. This year’s celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the National Day and the 33rd anniversary of the Liberation Day ushers in a fresh era and honorable march under the leadership of His Highness the Amir, who has recently taken the helm in succession of the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to lead the country to new horizons of development and progress.

The Kuwaiti people cherish this dear national flag-hoisting occasion, reminiscing the great accomplishments made in all fields and domains and reiterating loyalty and belonging to the dear homeland. The official flag of Kuwait had seen several changes before its current shape was decided according to an Amiri Decree issued on September 7, 1961, hoisting it on the buildings of all state bodies and agencies for the first time on November 24, 1961, in grand countrywide celebrations.

While marking this great event, it is essential to recall the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s address after swearing the constitutional oath before parliament on December 20, 2023, urging people to live up to due responsibilities and maintain national unity. All the six governorates of the country are set to hold flag-hoisting celebrations in a joyous atmosphere to commence the country’s national festivals by adorning streets and buildings with the photos of His Highness the Amir and the flag of Kuwait in an amazing scene that mirrors the delight and pride for both great occasions.

The Kuwaiti people, with a great sense of boastfulness, are bracing for marking the 63rd anniversary of the National Day, a day when the State of Kuwait became independent and steadily started to make hallmarks on international domains, forge close relations with Arab and friendly countries, and seek to achieve security and peace, based on its pioneering policy of tackling regional and international causes. While celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Liberation Day, Kuwait remembers its martyrs who had given a resounding example of sacrifice and dedication for the sake of liberating their country from the aggressor invaders. This occasion, with its various aspects, reflects an eagerness to beef up and cement bonds of national unity and togetherness, and to learn noble lessons and meanings, reminiscing the struggle of forefathers, who had sacrificed everything just to see their nation develop and prosper.

Exploring the MOI Kuwait App: A Convenient Gateway to Governmental Services

The MOI Kuwait app, a digital initiative by Kuwait's Ministry of Interior, offers a seamless experience for accessing governmental services. It's a significant stride in digitizing and streamlining processes for citizens and residents.

Download the App:

• iOS Users: Get it on the Apple App Store here.
• Android Users: Available on the Google Play Store here.

Key Features:

• Manage Personal and Dependent Information: Easily access civil ID and passport details.
• Update Passport and Modify Names: Conveniently change passport expiry dates and Latin names.
• Driving License and Vehicle License Information: Available in the Digital Wallet.
• Check Application Status: Track visa applications, health tests, name change requests, and passport updates.
• Quick Pay Feature: Pay for traffic violations, immigration fines, and more.
• Stay Updated on Dues: The 'Dues' tab alerts you to any pending payments.

Security and User Experience: Prioritizing data security and privacy, the MOI Kuwait app ensures a safe and user-friendly digital environment.

Conclusion: The MOI Kuwait app exemplifies digital transformation in government services, enhancing efficiency and accessibility for users.

Fahd Al-Yousef, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Acting Minister of Interior, has issued a significant decision modifying specific provisions of Ministerial Resolution 957 from 2019 within the executive regulations of the Expats' Residence Law. These revisions delineate the criteria for obtaining regular residency for the purpose of reuniting with family members. 

The focal amendments in Article 29 include:

1. Monthly salary requirement for a dependent/family visa (for newcomers) set at a minimum of KD 800.

2. The sponsor must be a university graduate, and their profession should align with their qualification.

3. Exemptions from university degrees for certain professions listed in Article 30 of the decision.

Furthermore, individuals born in Kuwait or abroad, with an age not exceeding 5 years, and whose parents hold valid residence in Kuwait, are exempted from the salary requirement as per the guidelines and conditions set by the General Administration of Residence Affairs.

Article Two designates the acting Undersecretary as responsible for implementing this decision, which will come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Professions mentioned in Article 30 of Ministerial Resolution No. 957/2019:

1. Advisors, judges, prosecutors, experts, and legal researchers in the government sector.

2. Medical professionals, including doctors and pharmacists.

3. Professors in universities, colleges, and higher institutes.

4. Educational professionals within the government sector.

5.Advisors in financial and economic matters in universities.

6.Engineers.

7. Individuals serving in religious roles in mosques.

8. Librarians in both government and private universities.

9. Health sector personnel, including nurses, paramedics, and medical technical positions.

10. Social workers and psychologists in the government sector.

11 Professionals in journalism, media, and correspondents.

12. Coaches and athletes associated with federations and sports clubs.

13. Pilots and flight attendants.

14. Individuals responsible for preparing the deceased and overseeing their burial.