Illegal Workers Arrested & Deported in Kuwait Crackdown

As part of an ongoing effort to tighten enforcement of labor and residency laws, Kuwaiti authorities have stepped up nationwide inspection campaigns targeting illegal workers and non-compliant employers.

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From May 11 to May 18, 2025, Kuwait’s General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations arrested 823 individuals for violating labor and residency laws. The raids were carried out across several governorates, with a focus on industrial areas like Shuwaikh Industrial, Amghara, and Na’ayem Scrap.

These operations were done in coordination with the Public Authority for Manpower, Kuwait Municipality, and the Kuwait Fire Force. Authorities inspected a wide range of worksites, identifying numerous facilities that failed to comply with regulations.

In addition to the arrests, a total of 1,084 individuals were deported during the same period. Deportations were carried out after completing all necessary legal steps, in coordination with the Deportation and Detention Affairs Department.

The Ministry of Interior has confirmed that these inspections and deportations will continue as part of its commitment to upholding residency and labor laws. Both illegal workers and the employers who hire them will be held accountable.

Kuwait has been increasingly strict in recent years about enforcing labor regulations, especially in high-risk zones such as scrap yards, industrial zones, and construction sites. Officials are urging residents and businesses to ensure compliance to avoid legal consequences.

What This Means for Employers and Expats

If you're working in Kuwait, make sure your paperwork is up to date and your employer is following proper procedures. Employers should double-check that all their employees have valid visas and are registered in line with labor laws.

The government has made it clear: these checks are ongoing, and violators both workers and businesses, will face serious consequences.