Teacher Discussion Forums

Hello everyone,
A couple of friends of mine have left their jobs in Kuwait without notifying their place of employment. What will happen to their residency? Will it automatically get cancelled? What about their work visa--will that get cancelled as well? They left their bank account open and they left me a car (with a slew of tickets attached to it). They want to return to Kuwait in about 6 months and look for work elsewhere. How will they enter the country? Via a visitor's visa? Will they have any problems entering Kuwait since they left without canceling their residency?

Sorry for posting in this forum, but I didn't know where to post it. We were all teaching adults, but I don't wish to disclose where since I am still there.

Thanks,
AJ

I don't know anything about Kuwaiti immigration laws, but here in the US if someone only had a work permit, it would be impossible to do what your friends did, leave the country without permission and expect to get back in legally. I would guess that their work permits will be invalid now? But it depends what the Kuwaiti "Residency" allows. In the US if someone is a Permanent Resident (has a green card) then he is allowed to leave the country and re-enter.

If your friends have residence visas because of the employer, than it appears that the employer/sponsor will have to be the ones to renew the residence when it expires. I don't know when those visas expire or what they allow a person to do.

I got this information from the following website:

http://www.kuwaitiah.net/visa2.html
Renewing Residence

After the intial residence has expired it can be renewed, provided the expatriate intends to continue under the same sponsor. Renewal is a simple matter. Applications are made at the Jawazaat in Shuwaikh and the process should be started at least two weeks before the current residence expires. The new residence runs from the date it is stamped in the passport.
Medical test are not required on renewal. However the employee’s work permit must first be renewed with the Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour. The applicatin for renewal must be supported by:
· The employee’s work permit
· The renewed work permit
· A copy of the sponsor’s signature as required for business purposes
Normally the sponsors or his official mandoub will attend at the jawazat to renew the employee’s iqama. Where the employee does so himself, he must a letter from his sponsors authorising him to do so.


I think perhaps your friends should get some advice from a lawyer or organization knowledgeable about Kuwaiti immigration before trying to return.

Hope it turns out okay for them!