Visa issuance restrictions - For Pakistanis
I was hired by a private company as a “Software Developer” in September, 2009. I am a Pakistani national. My company called me to Kuwait on a visit visa which was extended. I have provided all my documents necessary to file a visa but after 3 months they told me that the visa issuance for Pakistanis, Iranians, Yemenis and Afghanis was banned.
I was sent back to Pakistan. It has been 10 months now and the company gives me the same status about the visa issuance. It will be really appreciable if you can confirm the current status.
Name withheld
Answer: The Immigration Department does not say that visas for Pakistanis are banned but rather these have been ‘restricted.’ Practically, it means the same thing.
There are a lot of ‘restrictions’ on the issuance of visas to Pakistanis, even visit visas. Clearance has to be obtained from the security authorities, which invariably reject the applications. Even visit visas for daughters over 15 years are being rejected, even if they were born and brought up in Kuwait and had only got their residence cancelled recently and returned to Pakistan.
The Arab Times invites questions on all aspects of Kuwaiti law. If you face a problem, or need specific advice on any legal matter, from commercial and investment law to divorce and labor, send questions to the Managing Editor, Arab Times, P.O. Box 2270, 13023 Safat, Kuwait, or Fax to 24818267.