KUWAIT CITY, Sept 9: The Ministry of Interior is pushing ahead with the implementation of the decision to suspend the transactions of citizens and expatriates who do not complete the biometric fingerprinting process on or before the deadline – Sept 30 for citizens and Dec 31 for expatriates; clarifying that non-compliance with the directive will not lead to a travel ban, as the Constitution guarantees the people’s right to travel and such a ban is imposed only as per the instruction of the Public Prosecution or the Investigations General Department or through a ministerial decision in the interest of the public.

The source said it is expected that more than 250,000 citizens and expatriates will not undergo biometric fingerprinting due to violations or involvement in crimes. “Since the start of the biometric fingerprinting in May 2023; approximately 805,000 citizens have undergone fingerprinting whereas 171,000 citizens have yet to do so and 1,864,000 expatriates have been fingerprinted and about 970,000 have not done so till date,” the source disclosed.

Obligated He also confirmed that Bedouns are obligated to undergo biometric fingerprinting, but this should be done in coordination with the Information Systems General Department and the Central Agency for Remedying Illegal Residents Status (CARIRS) when they travel, renew the security card or process any transaction. He explained that biometric fingerprinting is a State project aimed at creating a database for everyone residing in the country -- citizens or expatriates who are 18 years old and above or those visiting the country. He stated that in this manner, the country will have a comprehensive information bank that keeps accurate data about every person here.

He affirmed this project will help in eliminating passport forgery and dual citizenship cases, uncovering crimes and the perpetrators, arresting people wanted by law once they go through the security patrol, identifying their location through the communication towers, and verifying the identity of any person. He said preparations for the implementation of the project started in 2016, when Kuwait studied the experience of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members and foreign countries.

Delegations were sent to these countries to personally look into their experience to prevent problems. The project was launched in May 2023 as an option for travelers. Then, coordination began with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to oblige anyone who wants to obtain a commercial license to do a biometric fingerprint, followed by the opening of biometric centers in the six governorates along with a public awareness campaign in this regard, and requiring people to book an appointment through the Sahel application.

Once the deadline granted to citizens and expatriates ends; those who fail to undergo biometric fingerprinting will not be able to process transactions in ministries, other government agencies, banks and companies listed on the stock exchange; and then an investigation will be conducted to identify the reasons for not complying with the directive, the source added.