KUWAIT CITY, May 6
The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) will soon distribute smart civil ID cards for citizens and expatriates under various categories, says Director General of the authority Musa'ed Al-Asousi.
Al-Asousi made the announcement in a press conference Sunday at PACI headquarters to mark the beginning of issuing smart civil ID cards for expatriate private sector employees who hold Article 18 visa and those with dependent visa (Article 22). He explained this came after completing the issuance of similar cards to Kuwaitis, GCC nationals, expatriate employees in the public sector and those who are treated like Kuwaitis.
According to Al-Asousi, the issuance of the cards will be done gradually, such that the procedures will start in the Capital and Mubarak Al-Kabeer governorates. He clarified the authority will no longer issue the old version of the card to expatriates on articles 18 and 22 visas to those residing in both governorates starting from Monday. He pointed out the card will be issued only after the submission of the following: recent passport photograph that meets specifications, blood group and copy of passport, which should also be available when applying for renewal of residence permits. He stressed the card will not be issued through telephone or Internet inquiry until the documents are submitted.
Al-Asousi added the expatriates residing in other governorates who wish to obtain smart ID cards can also submit applications if they have complete documents, regardless of their residential areas. He said the applicants may use official envelopes in cooperative societies, visit the PACI headquarters or any of its branches in Salwa, Jahra and Keifan Cooperative Societies. He confirmed the submission of applications is also possible at the PACI branches in the immigration offices in the Capital, Hawally, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Ahmadi, Jahra and Farwaniya. He revealed the next phase for the issuance of the card will cover Jahra, Ahmadi, Hawally and Farwaniya respectively.
© Arab Times 2013
