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Kuwait plans entry fee to restrict influx of expatriates
With a view to curb the recent influx of expatriates to Kuwait, the State plans to charge an entry fee from visitors entering the country.
Beginning this year, more than 500,000 expatriates are reported to have entered the country, as per the study conducted by the Immigration Department of Ministry of Interior. Ever-since the Ministry took note of this it has been drawing measures to restrict the entry of expatriates to the country.
The General Manager of the Immigration Department, Col. Badr Saleh Al-Hamadi revealed that the ministry is considering imposition of a monthly fee on visitors. He said that this move would be inline with other GCC members, who charge a visitor fee.
Saleh Al-Hamadi said expatriates who entered the Gulf State on a visit visa have been unable to find employment, and have been found begging in public areas, which has been posing a problem in recent years.
About 2.35 million expatriates are believed to be present in Kuwait, while the native population is just more than a million. With the steady rise in expatriate population, Kuwait has been seriously considering employment opportunities for nationals.
As per the figures released by the Public Authority of Civil Information, the expatriates account for 84.5% of the total workforce in the country, while the number of Kuwaitis have dropped, touching 5%.
Meanwhile, UAE has announced plans to increase visit visa fee from June. The new visas will now cost Dh.500 per month (instead of Dh.200), while the fee for a three-month visa will shoot up to Dh.1000 (rather than Dh.700).
According to current rates, a visitor visa for six months will cost Dh.2000, reveal media reports.
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