31/10/2025
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31/10/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 31: Every year, thousands of expatriates in Kuwait navigate the delicate thread between work and home — the longing to welcome loved ones into their lives here, even if just for a short visit. With recent reforms to Kuwait’s family visit visa system — including the removal of the minimum salary requirement and the expansion of eligible relatives — the doors appear to be opening wider for families separated by distance and regulation.
Yet for many, that hope is clouded by a single line in the policy: the age limit for visiting parents.
While the Ministry of Interior has streamlined many aspects of the visa process — from faster online approvals to broader eligibility — one restriction continues to cause quiet heartbreak among expatriate families. Under current rules, applications for parents aged above 70 are routinely rejected, even when sponsors meet every financial, legal, and insurance requirement. This policy has left many long-term residents, who have spent decades contributing to Kuwait’s growth, unable to share precious time with their aging parents — often at an age when such reunions mean the most.
My Father’s Visa Was Rejected — He Is Just Ten Months Past 70”
One such plea came from Syed Naser, a long-term expatriate who wrote to Arab Times appealing for compassion and reconsideration.
He described how he had already booked air tickets for his parents before the restriction came into force, only to face emotional disappointment and financial loss when the application was denied.
“I have personally visited Jawazat and Dajeej Immigration Offices multiple times to inquire about any updates or exceptions,” he added. “Every time, I was told that visit visas for those above 70 are still suspended.”
Despite his frustration, Naser expressed deep respect for Kuwait’s immigration policies, acknowledging the government’s efforts to maintain order and public safety. His appeal was not of protest, but of hope:
“I humbly request that the authorities reopen visit visas for elderly parents up to 75 years old, at least on humanitarian and family reunion grounds. Many expatriates like me are facing similar challenges. This small adjustment would bring immense happiness to countless families.”
“System Says: Applicant Not Eligible”
Another Arab Times reader echoed the same sentiment — this time facing a technical roadblock on the Ministry of Interior’s official eVisa platform.
“Each time I try to submit the online application for my father, aged 71, the system displays an error message: ‘Applicant is not eligible,’” he wrote.
The reader said all information — from passport details to nationality and validity — was verified and correct, yet the online system consistently rejected the application.
“I suspect the message appears because of the applicant’s age. Previously, some exceptional cases were approved for parents above 70, provided they had health insurance and the sponsor’s financial capability. But now, it seems the system automatically blocks such applications,” he explained.
He appealed for clarity and guidance from the authorities:
“If there has been a new circular or update restricting senior citizens, please publish it officially. If there’s an alternative way to apply — perhaps manually at Jawazat, with medical or financial documents — we would be grateful to know.”
“My Father’s Profile Was Approved — Then Suddenly Marked Ineligible”
A third reader shared a similar experience that highlights the growing confusion around the visa process.
“My father’s profile was approved last week, but when I proceeded to apply for his visa, the website displayed a message stating that the applicant is ineligible,” the reader said.
The sudden reversal has left many expatriates emotionally drained.
“This situation has caused immense emotional distress for many families like ours who are separated from their elderly parents and are unable to reunite with them even temporarily,” the letter read.
The reader also drew attention to the added strain on new parents and families without local support, who depend on their visiting parents for help and emotional comfort.
“For new parents and expatriate families, especially those without local support, the inability to bring their parents over adds a significant mental and emotional toll. We sincerely hope the concerned authorities will review this matter and offer some relief to families who are already struggling under these restrictions.”
A Plea for Compassion
Both letters capture a rising sentiment among Kuwait’s expatriate community — that the desire to reunite with aging parents is more than a bureaucratic request; it’s a human plea rooted in love and responsibility.
While expatriates continue to express respect for Kuwait’s laws and security priorities, they hope the Ministry of Interior might consider a humanitarian revision — perhaps extending the age limit to 75, with necessary health and insurance safeguards in place.
As one reader poignantly concluded, “We understand the rules are there for a reason, but every parent deserves the chance to spend time with their children — before time itself runs out.”
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