legal clinic
Dependent visa
In MoI website, dependent visa minimum salary is mentioned as KD 250. But in other websites it is mentioned as KD 450 for private sector employees. Can you please confirm which one is correct? Is there anything changed regarding minimum salary?
Name withheld
Answer: To be able to sponsor your family on dependent visa you should be earning a monthly salary of not less than KD 450. The KD 250 mentioned in the Ministry of Interior website as you claim could be an earlier cap which has since not been updated or could be pointing to something else.
Handsome package
I am in a bit of a confused state. I cleared an interview and got my Kuwait visa stamped. But have not joined the company so far. It is an entry visa and have validity till June 28, 2018. In the meantime, I cleared one more interview and got selected to Kuwait. This company is offering a handsome package. Is there any way for me to join the second company?
Name withheld
Answer: The only way you can join the second company is by allowing the entry visa with a validity period of June 28, 2018 to expire so that the new company can begin the process of getting you a new entry visa. We must, however, advise you to take into consideration the saying that a bird in hand is worth more than ten birds in the bush. You have to be absolutely sure that the new company can actually deliver the handsome package they are offering you before you ditch the first company. A word to the wise they say is enough.
Designation change
Currently I am working in a private shipping & logistic company as Business Development Manager with a salary of KD 650. I have driving licence valid till April 2019. I got my driving licence in 2017. I got a job with a higher salary, but the offered position is Senior Sales Executive with a salary of KD 800. If I change my designation from BDM to Senior Sales Executive, can I get my driving licence renewed or will it be cancelled?
Name withheld
Answer: Under current rules and regulations, it is only ‘driver’, ‘housewife’ and ‘student’ lose their driving licences if they change their designation. Going by this, we are, therefore, of the opinion that you will not suffer a cancellation of your driving licence if you change your designation from Business Development Manager to Senior Sales Executive.
Project visa
Dear sir, I am working in one company; it’s projects visa, but I came to Kuwait on Visa 18 restaurant job, can I change again to Visa 18, please let me know. Thank you.
Name withheld
Answer: Since you didn’t initially enter Kuwait on a project visa you are not supposed to face any problem if you want to revert to your original Visa 18. But as we always say, depending on the officer you meet at the counter and his or her understanding and interpretation of the law, they may execute the law in a way that may not meet your expectations. If you are however convinced the law is on your side you can always ask to see a more senior officer to present your case.
New passport
I have my Kuwait Visa in my Passport but unfortunately my passport ran out of pages and am planning to get new passport. I have below queries, it will be grateful if you can help me with your answer.
1. Do I need to register my new passport at Immigration department. If yes, what is the procedure and timeline to do it.
2. I am planning for vacation after getting new passport. Will I face any complications at airport if I dont register at Kuwait immigration.
Name withheld
Answer: When you acquire the new passport, the residence permit in the old passport has to be transferred into the new one at the Immigration Department. With this transfer, the new passport is automatically registered please note that it is your company’s mandoub who is mandated to undertake this exercise and he knows the processes involved in doing that.
Driving Licence
I came to Kuwait in Feb 2016 on driver visa and got my driving licence in May 2016 with salary KD 450. At that time I heard that, driving licence will be cancelled if I change designation within 2 years.
Even my mandoub insisted that it can be possible to renew my licence after changing designation to Engineer after 2 years and it cannot be cancelled. So, in Feb 2018 I changed my designation to Electrical Engineer with salary KD 450.
During my licence renewal, I came to know that my licence had been cancelled on the day I changed designation.
For my position in company, driving licence is mandatory. There is a possibility of losing the job, if the licence is cancelled.
Kindly advise the possibility to get my driving licence new/renewed in any chance either by changing salary or designation.
Awaiting your early response with a solution to get my driving licence.
Name withheld
Answer: Yes, the authorities were right in cancelling your licence because you were granted the licence on the basis of your ‘driver’ designation which is one of the designations which suffer loss of driving licence with designations change, with a monthly salary of KD 450 and if you are a university degree holder you can go ahead and reapply for a new driving licence.
The Arab Times invites questions on all aspects of Kuwaiti law. If you face a problem, or need specific advice on any legal matter, from commercial and investment law to divorce and labour, send questions to the Managing Editor, Arab Times, P.O. Box 2270, 13023 Safat, Kuwait, or Fax to 24818267. E-mail: arabtimes@arabtimesonline.com