Work permit and residency renewal will not be allowed for older expatriates

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Kuwaiti officials recently announced that expatriates 60 years of age and older will soon no longer be allowed to renew their work permits and residencies.

What does the change mean? Expatriate employees who are 60 or older will need to leave the country or find an additional basis to remain in Kuwait once their current permits expire. This new regulation will only apply to work permit holders, not dependents 60 years of age or older.

• Implementation time frame: The change will be implemented Jan. 1, 2021.
• Visas/permits affected: Work and residency permits for expatriates 60 or older.
• Who is affected: Employers and expatriate work permit holders who are 60 or older.
• Business impact: Employers may need to prepare to replace foreign employees who are 60 or older.

Analysis & Comments: Kuwait is making this change in order to help protect the local workforce and address what the government calls “a demographic imbalance” in the country. Employers with employees who will be ineligible for work authorization and/or residence in Kuwait are encouraged to begin developing alternative plans to meet staffing needs. Expatriate employees who are ineligible for work authorization and residence under the new policy and who do not qualify for some other immigration status will have three months to leave Kuwait after their permit expires.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.