Indians to benefit from Kuwait Amnesty

Dubai, Aug 31 (UNI) Thousands of illegal Indian expatriates will be able to leave Kuwait for home under a 45-day amnesty.

Kuwait's Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah yesterday issued a decree granting illegal expatriates amnesty to legalise their status or leave the state without paying a fine.

The decision, issued on the orders of Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the advent of the holy fasting month of Ramzan, applies to almost all expatriates living illegally in the country.

Tens of thousands of foreigners are expected to take advantage of the amnesty, which begins on September 1 and expires on October 15.

Illegal expatriates who wish to leave the country can do so without being required to pay fines for overstaying, the decree said.

They only need to go directly to a point of exit -- land, sea and airport -- without the need to go to the immigration department.

They are allowed to return to Kuwait. Illegals who want to legalise their stay are allowed to do so but after paying the overstay fines.

Those who had legal residence before are required to pay KD 2 per day for a maximum of 600 KD. Those who came on visit visas and overstayed would be charged KD 10 per day with a maximum of KD 1,000.

People under this category need to go to the immigration department and get their residence stamped. They would not be referred to court, the Kuwait Times reported.

UNI XC SKB RN1555