Kuwait announces two-month amnesty for non-valid visa holders

New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) Kuwait has announced an amnesty scheme from May 1 to June 30 for those who do not possess valid visas/residencies in the country, officials said here today.

The scheme allows the persons not having valid visas to regularise their stay in Kuwait after payment of fines.

The scheme also entitles those not having valid visas to leave the country without paying any fines. They, however, can return to the country after getting a proper visa.

More than 2200 persons visited the Indian embassy in Kuwait on May 1 and 2 --first two days of the amnesty--and 716 applications for Emergency Certificates were received from those who wanted to leave the country. The applications were being processed.

Minister of State for External Affairs, E Ahamed, has assured that the Indian embassy in Kuwait had made elaborate arrangements to handle the unusually large number of applicants.

An Amnesty Centre had been set up in the embassy premises to render consular services.

Air India has also proposed to open counters in the Amnesty Centre.

UNI