Expat health workers can return to Kuwait despite expiry of residency visas

KUWAIT CITY — Authorities in Kuwait have allowed expatriate health workers and their families under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Health to arrive in the country despite the expiry of their residency visas, according to an announcement made by country’s civil aviation authority, Arab Times, an English-language daily in Kuwait, reported early Sunday.

According to the newspaper report citing an official source, over 1,000 health personnel, who are employed in the country as doctors, nurses radiology technicians and laboratory staff, are stranded abroad. Most of them are from India.

A circular issued on Saturday by the Director of General Administration of Civil, Eng. Youssef Al-Fouzan, stated that the residency visas of expatriates who are under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Health will be extended even if they have expired.

The first-degree relatives of health workers are also welcome, the circular added.

Citing the official source, the report said that the move is based on a request made by the Ministry of Health, asking the authorities to facilitate the entry of medical staff who were unable to return from their home countries following the suspension of international flights.

The return of the workers will help the health authorities cope with the coronavirus crisis more efficiently.