Kuwaiti Citizen Arrested for Selling Illegal Residency Permits

A Kuwaiti man was arrested for illegal residency scheme, highlights serious crackdown on human trafficking and labor violations

Publish date: Tuesday، 22 July 2025 Reading time: 1 min read Last update: Wednesday، 23 July 2025

Kuwaiti Citizen Arrested for Selling Illegal Residency Permits

A Kuwaiti national has been arrested for orchestrating a large-scale scheme that illegally granted residency permits to foreign workers in exchange for hefty payments, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior released on Monday.

The man, who held signing authority for 29 private companies, admitted to facilitating 56 illegal residency permits for expatriates, charging each person between KD 350 and KD 1,200. The permits were issued without offering actual employment, with some workers later found working for companies that were not their official sponsors.

Among the expats were three individuals who had overstayed their visas and three more who were working outside the terms of their permits. The transactions were reportedly conducted through a network of intermediaries from Syria and India, the suspect told investigators.

The operation is part of Kuwait’s broader crackdown on human trafficking and illegal residency practices, which authorities have vowed to intensify.

“The Ministry will not tolerate human trafficking or violations of labor and residency laws,” the statement read. “We urge the public to report any suspicious activities to help protect our labor market and community.”

All individuals involved, including intermediaries and permit beneficiaries, have been referred to the relevant authorities for further legal proceedings.

As Gulf nations ramp up enforcement of labor laws, Kuwait’s latest bust signals a warning to those abusing the sponsorship system. If you're unsure about your legal status or your sponsor’s legitimacy, now’s the time to double-check.

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Kuwaiti Citizen Arrested for Selling Illegal Residency Permits

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