Kuwait Imposes Travel Ban on Expats with Financial Crimes

  • Publish date: Monday، 03 June 2024 | Last update: Tuesday، 04 June 2024
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Kuwait has implemented new travel restrictions for foreign nationals convicted of financial crimes, following a directive from Public Prosecutor Counselor Saad Al-Safran. The move aims to ensure compliance with court-issued fines and addresses concerns over growing unpaid fines among foreigners.

Directive Details

The directive outlines several scenarios where travel bans will be enforced:

- Judgments issued in absentia with a fine

- Foreigners sentenced in absentia who were not notified

- Foreigners sentenced in absentia who have appealed within the time limit but have not received a decision

- Foreigners sentenced in absentia who did not appeal within 27 days of the ruling’s announcement

Opposition and In-Person Judgments

The directive also covers opposition rulings and in-person judgments:

- Foreigners who have appealed a fine penalty within the time limit, with the appeal pending

- Foreigners who failed to appeal within 20 days of the ruling’s issuance

Automatic Lift of Travel Bans

The travel ban will be automatically lifted once the imposed fine is fully paid. The committee responsible for collecting criminal fines has been notified to implement this decision.

Ensuring Compliance

This directive, based on Kuwait’s Constitution and Administrative Resolution No. 167/2024, aims to prevent the forfeiture of the state's right to recover financial penalties from unpaid fines by foreign residents.