Saudi Arabia extends validity of visas and residency permits
800,000 INDIANS WOULD BE FORCED TO LEAVE KUWAIT IF THE EXPAT QUOTA BILL PASSED
Saudi Arabia has announced a number of initiatives related to visas for expatriates, extending the validity of the final exit visa free of charge.
According to Saudi Press Agency, SPA, other measures include extending the validity of expired Residence Permit (Iqama) for expatriates, who are outside of the country on exit and return visa, which expires during the period of suspension of entry and exit from the Kingdom, for a period of three months free of charge.
It has extended the validity of unused exit and return visa for expatriates, during the period of suspension of entry and exit from Saudi Arabia, for a period of three months free of charge.
Al Arabiya reported that the decision is aimed at supporting the Kingdom’s efforts in mitigating the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on individuals, businesses, the private sector and investors, and on economic activities.
An interior ministry source said that these exceptions are “subject to continuous followup and change according to need,” SPA reported.
Expat quota bill
Meanwhile, the Kuwait National Assembly’s legal and legislative committee determines that the drafted expat quota bill is constitutional, Kuwait Times reported. The bill is to be transferred to the respective committee so that a comprehensive plan is created.
According to the bill, citizens of no country can exceed 15 per cent of the population. This could result in 800,000 Indians leaving Kuwait, as the Indian community constitutes the largest expat community in Kuwait, totalling 1.45 million.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a spike in anti-expat rhetoric as lawmakers and governmental officials call for reducing the number of foreigners in Kuwait.
Last month, Kuwait’s prime minister, Shaikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah, proposed decreasing the number of expats from 70 per cent to 30 per cent of the population.
A week later, the Kuwait Petroleum company announced that it will no longer be hiring foreign workers. In addition, MP Osama Al Chahin called on the parliament to replace all expats working in the National Assembly with Kuwaitis.
The current population of Kuwait is 4.3 million, with Kuwaitis making up 1.3 million of the population, with expats accounting for 3 million.
Kuwait, meanwhile, recorded 638 new cases of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, raising total infections to 49,941, the Kuwaiti news agency reported yesterday. The total fatalities has climbed to 368 with three new deaths.