KUWAIT CITY, Nov 18: Director-General of the General Department of Residence Affairs Major-General Talal Ma’arafi was recently quoted as saying the renewal of residence permit for those under Article 22 shall be linked to the validity of the residence of the sponsor effective from Jan 10, 2016, reports Al-Anba daily.

As an example, Ma’arafi explained the residence permit of the dependent will not be renewed for more than one year if the validity of the head of the family is not more than one year. He also spoke about the increase in fees for residence and visit visas which would be done through a ministerial decree. He stressed the Department of Residence Affairs had earlier submitted a study in this regard and submitted to the minister for approval following which it should also get a nod from the National Assembly.

Ma’arafi revealed any residence law violator who amends his/her status shall not be subjected to deportation, unlike what has been rumored, provided he/she is not involved in security case. He added that this is applicable to all nationalities whose residence permits fall under the category of Articles 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, and 33.

Syrian who entered Kuwait on visit visas and are unable to return to their home country, shall be given temporary residency for two months to amend their situations on condition the application is submitted to the office of the Assistant Undersecretary for Citizenship and Passports Affairs Major-General Sheikh Mazen Al-Jarrah.