Kuwait busts major visa trafficking ring, arrests five expats

Main suspect in residency visa scheme works as representative of 19 companies

Last updated: August 14, 2025 | 22:18

Khitam Al Amir, Chief News Editor

1 MIN READ

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Dubai: Kuwaiti authorities have arrested five Asian expatriates accused of involvement in a residency visa trafficking network, the Ministry of Interior announced.

According to the state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the arrests were carried out by the ministry’s General Directorate of Residency. Investigators said the main suspect, an Asian national, was officially registered under a company’s residency permit but worked as a representative for multiple firms. He is accused of selling work visas in violation of Kuwaiti law.

Also Read: Kuwait: Expats can now get family visit visas for up to one year

Authorities allege the man acted as a representative for 19 companies and managed nine of them under agency contracts, with 150 workers registered under those entities. The other suspects told investigators they had paid between 350 and 900 Kuwaiti dinars to renew or transfer residency permits without actually working for any of the suspect’s companies.

The main suspect admitted the charges, saying he personally processed the transactions using login credentials from the Public Authority for Manpower and the Ministry of Interior, without the knowledge or participation of the companies under whose names the permits were issued.

The Ministry of Interior said all those involved have been referred to the competent authorities for legal action. It pledged to continue joint inspections with the Public Authority for Manpower to detect and dismantle visa trafficking operations, warning that violations will be met with full enforcement of the law.

Khitam Al AmirChief News Editor

With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs. As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public. Born into a family of journalists, Khitam's passion for news was ignited early in life. A defining moment in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the opportunity to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her visit to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. During this encounter, Khitam shared her family's experiences of displacement from their home in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interaction not only deepened her understanding of geopolitical issues but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in journalism, aiming to shed light on the stories of those affected by regional conflicts. Khitam’s commitment to accurate and timely reporting drives her to seek out news that interests readers, making her a trusted source for news on the UAE and the broader Gulf region.

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