KUWAIT CITY, April 21: Expatriates’ access to their bank accounts is directly linked to the validity of their residence, which serves as proof of legal residency. Once an individual’s residency is cancelled or expires, most banks will freeze or restrict access to their bank accounts. This means that ATM withdrawals, online banking services, and even credit card usage may be suspended until the residency status is updated.

While some banks may allow limited access or 3 months access or set reduced withdrawal limits shortly after the Civil ID expires, these policies vary and are not uniformly applied across all financial institutions. To restore full banking privileges, expatriates must renew their residency and update their Civil ID details with their bank.

The reasoning behind this policy is straightforward: bank accounts are issued based on an individual’s legal status as a resident of Kuwait. When residency lapses, the account holder is no longer considered legally present in the country, prompting banks to suspend all account activity, including the ability to withdraw salaries or make deposits.

This rule also extends to Bedoun (stateless) residents, who face similar account restrictions once their residency permits expire. Notably, these restrictions apply regardless of whether the residency recently expired or has been invalid for some time.

To avoid disruptions in access to funds and financial services, expatriates are strongly advised to ensure their residency status remains valid and up to date at all times.