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Kuwaiti illegal visa traders now accept expat instalment payments
| Published: | 29 Aug at 6 PM |
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It’s business as usual in Kuwait for visa traders in spite of the economic slowdown.
Taking into account Kuwait’s economic issues, visa and residency permit traders are now offering expatriates the convenience of monthly payments, thus ensuring their lucrative but illegal businesses continue as normal. A spokesperson is claiming the move is a relief from the difficult conditions now emerging in the popular expat destination. Visa applicants are now able to pay in instalments for this essential service, with interest rates increasing the longer it takes to clear the debt.
Two-year residence permits are being hawked at between 750 and 800 Kuwaiti dinars, dependent on the trader, with one-year visas a steal at between 450 and 500 dinars. Other charges including health insurance fees aren’t part of the deal, with applicants having to pay extra. In addition, applicants must deposit a month’s salary, held by their sponsor in order to protect his company and himself from legal infringements. The majority of visa deals are now being made online, although cash transactions are still available. Buying a visa online is one way to protect expat purchasers from dodgy traders, as monthly payments can easily be cancelled. Another reason is that, due to the illegal nature of the businesses, the government may close down the traders at any time in the future.
Also in Kuwait, it’s bad news for expat professionals with teenaged children who wish to reunite with their families in the emirate. A recent government decision has blocked dependent visas for expat children over the age of 12, as well as stating expats from seven as yet unnamed countries are now banned from becoming family sponsors. In addition, sons of expats who’re over the age of 18 years and have Kuwaiti residence permits will be disallowed from renewing them unless they provide proof they’re studying at a Kuwaiti university.
Taking into account Kuwait’s economic issues, visa and residency permit traders are now offering expatriates the convenience of monthly payments, thus ensuring their lucrative but illegal businesses continue as normal. A spokesperson is claiming the move is a relief from the difficult conditions now emerging in the popular expat destination. Visa applicants are now able to pay in instalments for this essential service, with interest rates increasing the longer it takes to clear the debt.
Two-year residence permits are being hawked at between 750 and 800 Kuwaiti dinars, dependent on the trader, with one-year visas a steal at between 450 and 500 dinars. Other charges including health insurance fees aren’t part of the deal, with applicants having to pay extra. In addition, applicants must deposit a month’s salary, held by their sponsor in order to protect his company and himself from legal infringements. The majority of visa deals are now being made online, although cash transactions are still available. Buying a visa online is one way to protect expat purchasers from dodgy traders, as monthly payments can easily be cancelled. Another reason is that, due to the illegal nature of the businesses, the government may close down the traders at any time in the future.
Also in Kuwait, it’s bad news for expat professionals with teenaged children who wish to reunite with their families in the emirate. A recent government decision has blocked dependent visas for expat children over the age of 12, as well as stating expats from seven as yet unnamed countries are now banned from becoming family sponsors. In addition, sons of expats who’re over the age of 18 years and have Kuwaiti residence permits will be disallowed from renewing them unless they provide proof they’re studying at a Kuwaiti university.
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