Brigadier General Farid Al-Mutairi has issued a circular directing departments under the General Department of Residency Affairs to accept expired passports for residency transactions if they carry official embassy extensions. The humanitarian measure responds to the current situation in Kuwait and the surrounding region by enabling residents unable to renew their passports to complete necessary procedures without interruption. Applicants will need to present both a stamped extension in their passport and a supporting letter from their embassy authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The circular makes clear that these documents suffice for processing when residents have been unable to obtain new passports. It states, «Given the current situation in the country and the region, and to ensure the smooth operation of services and facilitate procedures for applicants, it has been decided to accept residents whose passports have expired and who were unable to renew them, but have had them extended, and to process their transactions using these passports.» All staff members are instructed to implement the policy uniformly across residency offices.
This requirement for embassy authentication through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensures that only valid extensions are accepted for official use. The policy covers key residency procedures that include permit renewals and updates to associated records. By adopting this approach, the authorities aim to reduce obstacles for the expatriate population navigating administrative requirements.
Employees throughout the residency affairs system have received clear orders to follow the circular without any deviations. The directive, issued April 15, emphasizes adherence to maintain consistency in how cases are handled. Such instructions help standardize operations during periods when external factors complicate standard documentation renewal.
Kuwait has introduced broader immigration reforms designed to simplify processes and decrease repeated visits to immigration offices for long-term residents. The current circular complements these changes by offering flexibility on passport validity for those with proper embassy verification. These steps collectively contribute to more efficient management of residency affairs.
The decision prevents potential interruptions in legal residency status for individuals affected by regional circumstances. It maintains the integrity of the system through mandatory documentation while prioritizing service continuity. Authorities expect the policy to ease the burden on both applicants and administrative staff handling high volumes of transactions.
Sources:
• https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/residence-dept-asked-to-accept-expired-passports/
• https://timeskuwait.com/residency-affairs-eases-rules-permits-transactions-with-embassy-extended-passports/
• https://blog.wego.com/kuwait-accepts-extended-expired-passports-for-residency-procedures/
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