Kuwait Implements Three-Month Grace Period for Biometric Fingerprint Registration

Kuwait has declared a three-month period that will start in the month of March for residents to undergo biometric fingerprint registration, as reported by KUNA, a state-run news agency. The Initiative is one of the pillars of the Kuwaiti modernization of its security system, and aims to be applied to all transactions in a centralized biometric database system. Failure to fulfill the registration requirement within a specified timeframe will result in transaction stops for the concerned non-compliant individuals, as stated by the Ministry of Interior.

The inclusion of a centralized biometric system can be regarded as a major step in the improvement of security measures in Kuwait and also in the increase of efficiency in all the sectors. It is important for citizens and residents to sign up on schedule to avoid transaction disruptions while ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.

The Ministry of Interior has expanded its biometric fingerprinting services to encompass Kuwaiti citizens, GCC citizens, and residents at all border crossings, including Kuwait International Airport and designated enrollment centers. Multiple enrollment centers, equipped with biometric scanners, have been established at shopping malls and airports, facilitating fingerprint capture for citizens and residents alike.

This system applies to Kuwaiti and GCC citizens, as well as expatriate residents aged 18 and above, with travelers allowed to exit Kuwait without undergoing fingerprint registration, provided they complete the process upon their return to the country. The ministry underscores that the implementation of the central biometric database will not only bolster nationwide security measures but also streamline access to specific public services through digital identity authentication.