Latest In Brief
Latest updates
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior announced that it will no longer grant visa extensions
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior announced that it will no longer grant visa extensions for expired visit visas and residency permits, adding that all residents and visitors with expired visas must leave Kuwait by 30 November to avoid any legal issues.
Oman waives work permit fines for expats leaving permanently
Oman’s Ministry of Labour announced that expat workers and their employers will be exempt from all fees and fines related to work permits if workers leave the Sultanate permanently between 15 November and 31 December.
Oman announced on 15 October that it will not allow expats whose work permits expired while they were stuck abroad from returning to the Sultanate.
Oman announced on 15 October that it will not allow expats whose work permits expired while they were stuck abroad from returning to the Sultanate.
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports announced on Friday that it will automatically extend the validity of final-exit visas for expatriates in the Kingdom until 31 October 2020 free of charge.
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports announced on Friday that it will automatically extend the validity of final-exit visas for expatriates in the Kingdom until 31 October 2020 free of charge.
Bahrain renews free extension of visit visas until 21 January 2021
Bahrain’s Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs announced yesterday that it will renew a three-month extension of all visit visas for expatriates automatically and free of charge until 21 January 2021.
UAE and Saudi Arabia resume issuing work permits for domestic workers
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have resumed issuing visas for domestic workers after many months of suspension.
Oman announces series of decisions regarding expat workers
Oman’s Ministry of Labour announced a slew of decisions relating to expat workers, in a bid to ease the stress on the private sector.
Bahrain to resume recruitment of domestic workers on Monday
Bahrain announced today that it will resume issuing work permits for domestic workers starting from 14 September, after several months of interruption due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Qatar kafala reforms come into force
New laws providing greater mobility to migrant workers were published in Qatar’s Official Gazette yesterday. We explain some of the concerns regarding implementation, and inadequacy of housing and food allowances.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced on September 4th that the Saudi government has officially appointed the Kingdom’s first-ever labour attaché to the Philippines.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced on September 4th that the Saudi government has officially appointed the Kingdom’s first-ever labour attaché to the Philippines.
Kuwait renews free extension of migrant visas
Expired visit visas and residency permits will be renewed automatically for those in Kuwait, for three months starting from 1 September 2020. This is the third such extension by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior.
Saudi Arabia expands its localization plan
Saudi Arabia recently issued decisions to localise some private-sector jobs and activities and established a Ministerial Committee to improve enforcement of Saudisation policies.
Kuwait to stop issuing work permits for expats aged over 60 without a degree
Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) issued administrative decision no. 520 of 2020 on Sunday 16 August that will prohibit issuing or renewing work permits for migrants aged 60 and above who hold high school diplomas or below.
Platform for local recruitment launched in Qatar
A platform to facilitate local recruitment has been launched by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This platform will allow businesses to register their redundant staff and to recruit for job openings they may have.
Kuwait bans transferring children’s residency permits to their migrant mothers
According to a recent Al Qabas report, Kuwait’s General Directorate of Residency will no longer allow for children's iqamas to be transferred to their mother’s sponsorship.
Bahrain to resume issuing work permits for workers who are abroad
Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) announced that it will resume issuing work permits for workers who are abroad from 9 August 2020 onwards. The LMRA also announced that it will require businesses to announce their job vacancies in local newspapers for a period of two weeks before issuing work permits to workers abroad.