Kuwait rounds up over 400 illegal residents in three-day crackdown

Cairo: Kuwaiti authorities have arrested over 400 individuals in a sweeping crackdown on violators of the country’s residency and labor laws, conducted over a three-day period earlier this month.

According to the Ministry of Interior, 419 violators were apprehended during intensified security operations across all six governorates from April 6 to 8. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continue the crackdown under an “all-out security plan,” urging full compliance with national laws.

The campaign is part of Kuwait’s broader effort to address its demographic imbalance and bring order to the labor market. Foreign nationals make up the majority of the country’s 4.9 million population.

The arrests come after the expiration of a three-month amnesty period launched in March last year. The initiative allowed illegal residents to regularize their status or leave the country without penalties. Those without passports were also permitted to exit Kuwait without fines and could re-enter at a later date.

However, those who failed to act within the amnesty deadline are now subject to the full force of the law. A new residency law that took effect in January offers reconciliation and fine payments only to violators who responded during the grace period.

Under the updated law, regular residency permits are capped at five years, with extended terms of up to 10 years for property owners and 15 years for investors. Temporary stays are limited to three months, with a possible extension of up to one year.

Penalties for violating residency or visa rules are severe, including imprisonment of up to one year and fines ranging from KD1,200 to KD2,000 (approximately $3,900 to $6,500), depending on the type of violation.