Kuwait: Mandatory Biometric Fingerprinting for Citizens, Residents and GCC Nationals
May 17, 2024
Update May 17, 2024: The Ministry of Interior has extended the deadline to complete the mandatory biometric fingerprinting process to September 30, 2024, for Kuwaiti citizens, and to December 30, 2024 for all other Kuwait residents, including citizens of other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
March 1, 2024: Effective March 1, 2024, Kuwaiti citizens and residents, and citizens of other Gulf Cooperative Council countries, aged 18 and above, must undergo mandatory biometric fingerprinting for the country’s central biometric database within a three-month timeframe, ending on June 1, 2024. These individuals can use the Sahel app to schedule their biometric fingerprinting appointment at a center set up by the Ministry of Interior, which includes locations at land borders, the Kuwait International Airport, security directorates at governates and designated commercial complexes. During the three-month period, these individuals can continue to leave Kuwait but must undergo fingerprinting upon their return. Foreign nationals who do not comply with this new rule will have all transactions suspended with the Ministry of Interior, such as renewing their residence visas or obtaining or renewing their driver’s licenses.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
Associate Nabauia Safi outlines how Article 116 (2) restores German citizenship to descendants of those persecuted during the National Socialist dictatorship.
Awards
Awards
Fragomen’s Salt Lake City office is named one of Utah Business’s 2024 "Best Companies to Work For."
Blog post
Partner Hyla Kaplan Rosenberg and Senior Associate Elizabeth Brettschneider discuss the eligibility and application process for marriage-based green cards for foreign nationals married to US citizens.
Video
Neste Mobility Minute, a Sócia Diana Quintas explora a proposta de Visto Verde do Brasil.
Podcast
Senior Manager Lindiwe Mapota interviews Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba on the long-anticipated publication of the Points-Based Immigration System (PBIS).
Blog post
Senior Consultant Lauren Penny and Consultant Daniel Heymann discuss how Israel is leading the charge with AI and immigration.
Fragomen news
Partner Ryan Freel is elected to the Houston Relocation Professionals' Board of Directors for 2025.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Lead Shuyeb Muquit dives into the UK's shifting net migration trends.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Konstantin Schmid shares what employers and workers need to know about 2025 Swiss immigration quotas.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the recent legislative changes to Ireland’s employment permits.
Fragomen news
Fragomen's Gemma Hyslop, Andreia Florina Ghimis and Ana Sofia Walsh review ODI Global's new report.
Blog post
Associate Nabauia Safi outlines how Article 116 (2) restores German citizenship to descendants of those persecuted during the National Socialist dictatorship.
Awards
Awards
Fragomen’s Salt Lake City office is named one of Utah Business’s 2024 "Best Companies to Work For."
Blog post
Partner Hyla Kaplan Rosenberg and Senior Associate Elizabeth Brettschneider discuss the eligibility and application process for marriage-based green cards for foreign nationals married to US citizens.
Video
Neste Mobility Minute, a Sócia Diana Quintas explora a proposta de Visto Verde do Brasil.
Podcast
Senior Manager Lindiwe Mapota interviews Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba on the long-anticipated publication of the Points-Based Immigration System (PBIS).
Blog post
Senior Consultant Lauren Penny and Consultant Daniel Heymann discuss how Israel is leading the charge with AI and immigration.
Fragomen news
Partner Ryan Freel is elected to the Houston Relocation Professionals' Board of Directors for 2025.
Blog post
UK Government Affairs Strategy Lead Shuyeb Muquit dives into the UK's shifting net migration trends.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Konstantin Schmid shares what employers and workers need to know about 2025 Swiss immigration quotas.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the recent legislative changes to Ireland’s employment permits.
Fragomen news
Fragomen's Gemma Hyslop, Andreia Florina Ghimis and Ana Sofia Walsh review ODI Global's new report.