Kuwait is set to introduce more travel restrictions for expats and insist more bills are paid in full before they can leave the country.
Under new plans, expats in the country could be required to pay electricity and water bills before being allowed to travel internationally, according to a report in Arabic-language newspaper Al Rai.
Last week it was reported that Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior introduced new rules requiring expats in the country to settle traffic fines and violations before they could exit for any reason.
The ministry called on expats to comply with the rules in order to maintain security and public order.
Now, according to the Al Rai report, more agencies in the country are set to follow suit.
Local media reports said the Ministry of Electricity and Water and Renewable Energy has agreed to link payment systems with the Ministry of Interior.
Citing unnamed sources, the media reported that Interior Minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah has tasked ministries to cooperate to ensure expats settle debts before exiting the country for any reason.
The Interior Ministry shared a statement on social media to say it had met Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy officials to discuss “co-ordination mechanisms”.
The new measures will be introduced from September onwards, meaning expats will need to pay debts held in their name owed to electricity and water companies.
