Huge blow for expats including Malayalis; this Gulf country changes visa rules, rejects 1165 applications

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait's General Administration of Residence Affairs at the Ministry of Interior rejected 1165 family visa applications after the revised new visa law came into effect in the country. The authorities stated that 1165 applications were rejected as they failed to meet the stipulated conditions. Most of these applications were submitted by those who intended to bring their parents and siblings to the country on a family visa. Officials clarified that only spouses and children below 14 years of age are allowed to enter the country on a family visa.

Expatriates will no longer be able to bring their parents and siblings to Kuwait on a family visa. This is a heavy blow to the expatriates, including the Malayalis.

In the visa application to bring spouses and children to Kuwait, marriage, birth and graduation certificates must be submitted along with the documents attested by the embassy of the respective countries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait. The new decision of the ministry is that family visas should be issued only to expatriates who have a degree, a salary of 800 dinars and a job that aligns with their academic qualifications.