KUWAIT CITY, Dec 29: As the biometric fingerprinting deadline for expatriates approaches, expiring at the end of Tuesday, official statistics from the General Department of Criminal Evidence reveal that approximately 250,000 residents, 90,000 illegal residents (Bidoons), and 16,000 citizens have yet to complete the procedure. Starting Wednesday, individuals who fail to comply will face a block on all government and banking transactions.

Major General Eid Al-Owaihan, Director of the General Department of Criminal Evidence, disclosed to Al-Rai that, as of Sunday, the department had processed fingerprints for 960,000 citizens, leaving 16,000 pending. Similarly, 2.74 million residents completed fingerprinting, with 244,000 still outstanding. Among illegal residents, 58,000 complied, while 89,817 remain unregistered.

Major General Eid Al-Awaihan

Al-Owaihan highlighted that the department successfully fingerprinted 12,000 bedridden patients and individuals with special needs, marking the process as a "historic achievement" due to the volume handled within a short timeframe while maintaining quality standards.

While thanking citizens and residents for their cooperation, Al-Owaihan emphasized that the deadline for expatriates will not be extended beyond Tuesday. Departments designated for fingerprinting will remain open to accommodate last-minute applicants, aiming to prevent disruptions in official and banking transactions.

He clarified that no fines will be imposed for non-compliance. However, anyone who has not completed the process must visit a designated fingerprinting center to avoid a transaction block. Exemptions are granted only to students studying abroad, patients and their companions receiving treatment abroad, and members of the diplomatic corps, provided proof is submitted to Kuwait's embassies.

Al-Owaihan noted that postponement requests from Kuwaiti embassies are reviewed by relevant government agencies, and blocks are temporarily lifted for exempted cases until their return to Kuwait.

He extended gratitude to the employees of the General Department of Criminal Evidence for their dedication in successfully executing this national initiative.