Forged degree lands Lebanese woman in deportation proceedings after Kuwait driving license bid

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 8: A bid to obtain a driving license in Kuwait has landed a Lebanese woman in her 30s in deportation proceedings after authorities allegedly discovered that she had used a forged university degree to meet one of the licensing requirements.

The woman was referred by the Residence Affairs Investigation Department to the Deportation Department after detectives uncovered the alleged forgery during an investigation into her educational credentials and employment status, according to a security source.

The case reportedly began with a confidential tip alleging that the woman had submitted a fake university degree in connection with her application for a driving license. Investigators verified the information and found that the certificate had allegedly been forged several years ago and subsequently used in procedures related to obtaining a driving license and changing her employment status.

When summoned for questioning, the woman reportedly confessed to the forgery. She told investigators that she had resorted to the fake qualification because she held only a high school diploma and did not meet the university degree requirement for obtaining a driving license.

According to the security source, the woman told detectives that she had contacted a Lebanese expatriate living in Lebanon, who arranged for her to obtain a university degree despite her lack of a university qualification. She allegedly paid $1,200 for the forged certificate and later used it to satisfy the licensing requirement and facilitate a change in her employment status.

During questioning, the woman reportedly provided investigators with details about how and where the document was forged. Authorities are continuing their investigation, with further legal action expected based on the findings and information provided.

The case also highlights the authorities’ increasing scrutiny of educational qualifications submitted by expatriates, particularly in cases involving profession changes and transfers to new jobs.

A security source said electronic links between government agencies, including the Public Authority for Manpower, are regularly used to cross-check employment and qualification data and help uncover suspected cases of document forgery and manipulation.

Under the regulations governing expatriate driving licenses, applicants generally must meet requirements including two years of residency, a university degree and a minimum monthly salary of KD 600, although certain professions and categories are exempt from some requirements.

The exemptions include drivers, public representatives, and passport and immigration officers, provided they hold valid driving licenses issued by their home country or another country, without requiring consular authentication.

Certain exemptions also apply to the wives of doctors, pharmacists, university professors, managers, judges, consultants, oil company technicians, physiotherapists and other medical professionals, subject to applicable regulations and decisions.