Latest news with #GeneralDepartmentofResidenceAffairsInvestigations
Arab Times
13-08-2025
- Arab Times
KD 350–900 Charged for Illegal Kuwait Visa Renewals and Transfers
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: In a major crackdown on residency trafficking, the General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations has arrested a Pakistani national and several others accused of issuing illegal residency permits in exchange for money. The operation was carried out under the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. Investigations revealed that the main suspect, identified as Shahbaz Hussain Allah Rakha, was registered under Noor Al-Kawthar General Trading and Contracting Company and acted as a representative for 19 companies, managing nine of them under agency agreements. A total of 150 workers were registered under these companies, owned by Munifa Omar Al-Enezi. Authorities found that individuals had paid between KD 350 and KD 900 to the suspect to renew or transfer their residency illegally, despite not working for the companies under his name. The accused admitted to completing the transactions himself using the credentials of the Public Authority for Manpower and the Ministry of Interior, without the company owner's involvement. All suspects have been referred to the competent authorities for legal action. The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the Public Authority for Manpower, has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying inspections, rooting out residency trafficking, and enforcing strict legal measures against offenders.
Arab Times
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Security Drive in Kuwait Nets 192 Expats — Is Your Area Next?
KUWAIT CITY, July 25: Kuwaiti authorities have arrested 192 individuals in a sweeping security operation targeting residency and labor law violators across the country, officials confirmed today. The large-scale crackdown, carried out by the General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations, was launched under the directives of His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. The campaign was also closely monitored by Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Major General Ali Misfer Al-Adwani. According to the Ministry, the operation focused on several densely populated and high-risk areas, including Jahra, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Mahboula, Al-Qurain Markets, Ahmadi, and Fahaheel — regions often flagged for illegal labor activity and visa violations. The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on violations of Kuwait's residency and labor laws. Officials stressed that both workers and their employers would be held fully accountable, vowing continued enforcement without leniency. This latest operation underscores the government's ongoing commitment to upholding national security and enforcing the rule of law through sustained and targeted campaigns.
Gulf Insider
23-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Work Visa Scam Uncovered, 3 Arrested
In its latest crackdown on human trafficking and visa fraud, Kuwait's Ministry of Interior has dismantled a work visa scam involving a Kuwaiti national who allegedly exploited his legal authority to profit from the illegal registration of expatriate workers. The Kuwaiti citizen is accused of running visa-for-cash scheme through dozens of shell companies, according to Al Qabas Arabic daily. The operation, uncovered in coordination with the General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations, revealed a complex network involving 25 companies and four affiliated businesses under the control of a single individual. The main suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was authorised to sign on behalf of these firms, a privilege he allegedly used to register foreign workers under false pretences and sell residency permits. Officials said the scheme came to light following a tip-off. Investigators found that 56 workers had been registered under the companies, including several who had violated Kuwait's residency laws and visa regulations. Among them were individuals who were either working for entities not listed as their sponsors or had overstayed or breached the terms of their permits. When summoned for questioning, the accused admitted to accepting payments ranging from KD350 ($1,137) to KD1,200 in exchange for arranging visas and work permits. He confessed to working through two intermediaries — a Syrian and an Indian — who helped facilitate the transactions, despite the workers not being employed by the companies sponsoring their residency. Authorities say the case highlights the persistent challenges posed by visa trafficking in the country and underscores ongoing efforts to tighten oversight of corporate licencing as well as residency and work permits. The Ministry of Interior reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law and holding accountable those who exploit the labour system for personal gain.
Arab Times
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Exposed: How a Pakistani Paid for Kuwait Visa
KUWAIT CITY, July 23: Under the directives of His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, and as part of the Ministry of Interior's intensified campaign to combat human trafficking and illegal residency practices, the General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations has uncovered a large, organized network involved in issuing residency permits illegally in exchange for money. The case came to light following a complaint filed by a Pakistani resident who reported paying 650 Kuwaiti Dinars to a man named Yasser Bilal Muhammad, also a Pakistani national, in return for securing a residency permit. The accused was summoned and confessed to receiving the payment for processing the residency. Further investigations revealed that he was a partner in 11 companies, collectively employing 162 workers. When several workers registered under these companies were questioned, they admitted to paying between 500 and 900 dinars for residency permits. Additionally, some individuals admitted to paying 60 to 70 dinars extra to have false salary information added to their work permits—an act that enabled them to qualify for family residency visas. During the investigation, Fahad Al-Enezi, the authorized signatory of the 11 companies, was also summoned. He admitted to receiving monthly payments between 500 and 600 dinars, and stated that he used the "Sahel" application to access work notifications and permits via the Public Authority for Manpower. A total of 12 suspects have been referred to the Public Prosecution, and ongoing investigations include raids, seizures, and inspections at the offices of the involved companies. Legal and administrative measures are being prepared against all individuals found to be complicit in this fraudulent network.
Arab Times
21-07-2025
- Arab Times
Work Visa Racket Exposed: Kuwaiti with Syrian, Indian Accomplices Arrested
KUWAIT CITY, July 21: As part of its ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and the illegal issuance of visas, the Ministry of Interior, through the General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations and its Inspection Department, has uncovered a new case involving a Kuwaiti citizen who misused his authority for financial gain. According to officials, the department received a tip-off about a Kuwaiti citizen authorized to sign on behalf of 25 companies and 4 affiliated businesses. He was found to have used these companies to illegally register expat workers and sell visas. A total of 56 workers were registered under these firms, including three violators of residency laws and three who had breached the terms of their visas. Investigators also discovered that some workers were employed by entities other than those sponsoring their residency. Upon being summoned and confronted with the evidence, the accused confessed to facilitating the issuance of residency permits in exchange for payments ranging from KD 350 to KD 1,200. He admitted receiving these sums through two intermediaries (one Syrian and one Indian) without the workers actually being employed. All individuals involved have been referred to the appropriate legal authorities for further action. The General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations emphasized its continued commitment to intensifying crackdowns on human trafficking. The department urged both citizens and residents to report any suspicious activity to help safeguard the nation's security and social stability.
