KUWAIT
KUWAIT
The region ’ s second wealthiest nation by per-capita GDP , Kuwait sits at the northernmost shore of the Persian Gulf , bordering Saudi Arabia and Iraq . Heavily dependent on oil production and far-less economically diversified than either the UAE or Saudi Arabia , the recent slump in global oil prices has put significant strain on the government budget . Like many nations in the region , most of Kuwait ’ s citizens are employed in the public sector and rely on foreign labour to perform the majority of private sector jobs . As a result , 70 % of the nation ’ s population consists of resident foreign nationals . In the ongoing Gulf dispute involving Qatar , Kuwait has refused to choose sides , preferring to maintain relative neutrality .
Immigration policy in Kuwait has been heavily influenced over the past year by decreasing oil revenues and the increasing costs of public services for the growing expat population . Two significant recent corporate immigration developments are both aimed at addressing the problem by decreasing the numbers of non-working foreign nationals in the country :
• Effective last October , the minimum salary threshold to sponsor dependent family members for residence permits was increased to almost twice the average private sector wage earned by foreign nationals in Kuwait ; and the minimum salary threshold to sponsor family members for visit visas also increased by 25 %. The intent of both measures was clear : to reduce the number of non-working foreign nationals in the country ;
• Effective this June , authorities stopped issuing or renewing residence permits and family visit visas for dependent family members other than spouses and children .
The above measures have clearly been unpopular with foreign nationals in Kuwait , as well as the Kuwaiti citizens who live and work with them , but to date the Kuwaiti government shows no sign of reversing its position .
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