Kuwait Updates Health Rules for Expatriates

Kuwait has updated its health rules for expatriates living there. If a newcomer from another country wants to stay in Kuwait and gets a health test that shows uncertain results for hepatitis C, they can’t take a PCR test. But if a resident expatriate has two hepatitis C tests with at least four weeks in between and both show uncertain results, they can take a PCR test. If it’s positive, they’re considered unfit. If it’s negative, they can renew their permit for one year and take another PCR test after that. If that test is negative, they’re considered healthy.

The Minister of Health, Ahmed Al Awady, approved these new rules to make sure everyone in Kuwait stays safe from diseases. The exact date when these new rules will start isn’t known yet.

To get a residency permit in Kuwait, expatriates need an official certificate saying they don’t have contagious diseases. Out of Kuwait’s 4.8 million people, about 3.2 million are foreigners.

Kuwait is also getting stricter with illegal residents. They’re warning that anyone helping an illegal resident will also be deported. There are about 150,000 illegal residents in Kuwait. People or companies in Kuwait who hire illegal workers could face charges. Kuwait wants to balance its population and give more jobs to its citizens, a plan called “Kuwaitization.”

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