The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) stated that the decision to halt the processing of work visa for expats who are 60 and above as well as only have a high school diploma and lower will also include being unable to transfer their residency visa in addition to no renewal. They will be obliged to leave Kuwait when the decision will come into effect in 2021.
According to official data there are more than 83,000 expats who are above 60 years with secondary qualifications and below.
A number of expatriates expressed their fears that this decision would lead to seperation of their families, and many expressed concerns that this decision will force their parents to leave the country, without taking into account the status of their young children who were linked to their residency sponsorship.
A number of expatriates stated that this decision will impact the social, cultural and security aspects of the expat community in Kuwait, as many believe that with the departure of elderly parents, only bachelors will remain. The presence of the elderly has a significant social role to play among the family.
This decision comes within the government’s vision to address the demographic imbalance and its impact on the labor market.