Parents residency renewal procedure for Expats in Kuwait

Photo Courtesy to MoI - Article 22 F Sample

Parents (Dependent) Residency Renewal as of 11/09/2017. (Article 22 for sponsor’s parents) – Around 12,000-13,000 people in Kuwait under this article need to get their residency upgraded in the 4 months since the Executive bylaws were added on June 20, 2017. That is before 20 October 2017.

IN SHORT version: Process is same as previously done. Get Government Health Insurance for KD (50+2) for 1 year. Then with that insurance paper approach any Private Insurance Company – Head offices only (Kuwait Insurance Company, Gulf Insurance, Warba and others). Mention Keyword – “Insurance for Residency”. They will issue insurance (for KD 3000) by charging an amount of KD 150 + 1. The set of papers they give should be attached along with your Residency Renewal Application process. Get to Jawazat and follow procedures (Additional step before final submission and payment of KD 200 – sign by Director General of the Governorate – Mudeer Aam) 

Therefore – Current charges of process (For ONE, 1 Dependent/Parent) are as follows:

• Government Health Insurance – KD 50 + 2
• Private Health Insurance – KD 150 + 1
• Application Typing – KD 0.5 or KD 1
• Residency charges at MoI Passport (Jawazat) Office – KD 200
• Civil ID Renewal – KD 5
• Final Satisfaction – PRICELESS.

Total amount spent - KD 409 (for one parent for a year)

Duration of Process – Minimum 2 working days to 5 working days.

DETAILED Version 

1. Government Health Insurance – (Duration 1 session Morning or Afternoon) Timings 7am till 4pm with break.

Documents Needed - Civil ID Copy of Parent, Civil ID Copy of Sponsor, Passport Size photo of Parent (which will be returned after scanning). KD 50 + 2 (KD 50 per year) (Mention Mobile number on civil Id copy of Parent)

2. Private Health Insurance – (Duration 15 minutes) only done at Head Office branch of any private Insurance Company. Since this is a newly added process, it will be difficult to get to the right person handling it. Hence, the keyword “Insurance for Iqama – Residency” Timings (7:30 am till 3pm on weekdays)

Documents Needed – Just the Government Health Insurance Receipt and Cash or KNET of KD 150+1 (KD 150 per year)

3. MoI Residency Renewal Application Typing – (Tajdeed Iqama Lil Aba wal Ummi ) KD 0.5 or KD 1 (Any Typing Center or Translation Centers)

Documents Needed – Civil ID Copy of Parent and Sponsor, Passport and Residency copy of Parents, Also mention mobile number and Sponsor will need to sign application form.

4. MoI Passport Office for Expatriates – (Duration 1 day to 2 days depending on Coupon/Token number, Quantity of people [more] or employee [less] and mood factor.) (Timings 7:30am till 1:15pm - weekdays)

Documents Needed – Application Form with Photo pasted, Sign of Sponsor on application form, Attachments – Government Health Insurance Receipt, Private Health Insurance Receipt documents, Passport and Residency page of Parent, Civil ID copy of Parent and Sponsor, Original Passport of Parent.

a. TOKEN to be taken at SECTION for Application checking section (Welcome/Istaqbal). Original Passport need not be submitted here.

b. TOKEN to be taken at Cashier Section where KD 200 needs to be paid (CASH).

c. TOKEN to be taken at the Director General office (or just ask for a signature – Tajdeed Iqama Lil Aba wal Ummi)

d. TOKEN to be taken for Section for Final submission of documents – HERE submit documents along with PASSPORT.

5. Civil ID Renewal through Website, Phone or Mobile Application. KD 5 to be paid Online using KNET (Timings for Delivery 7 am till 8pm weekdays)

References (Newspaper Article):

• 09/09/2017 – Dual Health Insurance for Parents (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 26/07/2017 - Entry on Family Visas Awaits MP approval on Health Fees - Nod to Above-Quota Foreign Hires for KD 250 (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 20/06/2017 - Rectify Status of parents, Siblings in 4 months or Leave - Insurance of KD 3,000/- Mandatory for Annual Medical expenses (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 20/06/2017 - Bylaws issued for Parental Residence - Parents cannot sponsor Children above 24 yrs on Family Visa (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 19/06/2017 - KD 3,000 Docus Mandatory for Sponsoring Parents or Siblings (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 14/06/2017 - Parents and Siblings Residence Fees to increase to KD 300, Health Insurance KD 200- Sponsors Salary KD 1000 (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 13/06/2017 - Parents and Siblings, can now Renew their Visas, Insurance cost may reach KD 300 per year per person (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 10/06/2017 - MP Queries Family Visa Policy - Fees Questioned (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 04/06/2017 - Rethink on Family Visas - Decision Expected to Freeze (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 01/06/2017 - Interior's decision to limit family visas taken after conducting many studies (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 31/05/2017 - New visa ban puts families in serious crisis (CLICK HERE)

Photo Courtesy to Arab Times

• 21/06/2017 - Al Rai Newspaper. Residency for Parents will cost KD 1100 and 1700 yearly. (Arabic and English Translation)

Photo Courtesy to Al Rai Newspaper (Arabic)

Photo Courtesy to Al Rai Newspaper & Google Translate (English Translation)

Currently still searching for the MoI Bylaw copy.

Hike in electricity and water tariffs

Kuwait has been considering for a long time to cut down on subsidiaries, so as to put ease on its revenue structure which predominantly depends on crude oil sales. Many moves have been made in this regard. For example, On 1st April 1999 Kuwait introduced KD 1 fees for government health clinic visits and KD 2 fees for government hospital visits; these fees were for meeting with the doctors and also included for basic medicines & lab tests (Ministry of Health - Ministerial Decision 392/1999). Previously, no charges were levied.

One of the moves that garnered a lot of attention was the Fuel price hike. Naturally the Petrol (Premium, Super and Ultra) prices hike had a lot of hue and cry compared to previously subsidiary removal of Diesel and Kerosene which shot from 55 fils to 170 fils (Currently at 105/110 fils - Market value fluctuations; each month revision based on international crude oil prices). Petrol prices were hiked from 60 fils to 85 fils for Premium, 65 fils to 105 fils for Super and90 fils to 165 fils for Ultra but later brought down to 150 fils.  (Council of Minister decision 32/2016) These prices are not subsidiary removal prices as they would be more higher at 160 fils and onward. Citizens of Kuwait have a monthly ration/account of Petrol which is given for free after which they will be charged the market price (started with 75 litres and now increase to 100 litres per month). Similarly some sectors and industries avail the subsidised rate (55 fils) of diesel and kerosene; for example Kerosene for government related bakeries for the Tandoori/Afghani/Irani Kabous/Roti. Also agricultural/government sectors avail similar diesel subsidy.

At the same time period, the Council of Ministers had passed the decision for reduction in subsidy towards electricity and water on 16th May 2016 (Council of Ministers' decision no 20/2016). The implementation of the decision is to take effect in 4 stages giving time for all sectors of Kuwait to implement rationalisation and efficient methods in terms of electricity and water usage by reducing wastage like applying more LED lights.

Stages of implementation of new electricity and water tariffs.

1. 22nd May 2017 (22/05/2017) - Commercial Sectors
2. 22nd August 2017 (22/08/2017) - Investment Sectors
3.  22nd November 2017 (22/11/2017) - Government Sectors
4. 22nd February 2018 (22/02/2018) - Industrial, Agricultural Farms and rest of the sectors.

All Investments sectors (Apartment buildings and Residential homes) will be paying from 22nd August 2017. All the public Sector (government related properties) will start paying from 22nd November 2017. The last but least, Chalets (beach houses), Farms (Agricultural or Poultry) and Stables (For horses or other types of Animals) from 22nd February 2018. All Commercial establishments (Malls, shops or Office buildings) are already paying since 22nd May 2017.

NOTE (for Residential and Apartment buildings)

The amount to pay for Electricity is 5 fils per unit (1 KWHr) and for Water KD 2 per 1000 Gallon of Water. (uniform units throughout the month/year)

Following are the modes of Payment and enquiry for electricity and water related matters:

1. Download the App on Google Playstore or Iphone Itunes Appstore.

Name of App: MEW-CAS created by MEW-CAS

Languages available: Arabic and English

Once you download, you just need to choose the consumer type (Residential), Enter Civil Id and enter Meter Number. 

You can load a photo of the meter reading (if you want),

Enter the meter reading and then you can make payment using KNET. (sometimes you may have to wait for 15 minutes after entering Meter reading for system to update)

2. You can also make meter reading updates and payments on the website www.mew.gov.kw

You can make payments (if KNET is not available) at the MEW consumer affairs offices that are available in each area (Once you have updated the meter reading)

3. Official Social Media accounts for MEW Consumer Affairs for Meter Reading and updates.

Instagram: @consumerservics https://www.instagram.com/consumerservics/

Twitter: @consumerservics https://twitter.com/consumerservics

Whatsapp: 98760001, 98760002, 98760003, 98760004, 98760005, 98760006 (One can take photos of their electricity & water meter readings along with the meter numbers and send them to the above Whatsapp numbers to get them updated) CLICK HERE to see an instruction video or view the video at the bottom of the post. 

4. Go to the nearest electrical offices near to the area you reside between 8am till 1:45pm (Official Working hours)

5. Recently the Ministry has started a service for the Elderly citizens, a home service where someone from Ministry will come and assist in getting the readings and update the readings along with options of making payment using KNET facilities. 

Information to keep handy:

1. Civil Identity Number of Registered User
2. Meter Reading of Electricity or Water (Better if you have a photo or on smartphone)
3. Meter Number or Premises Number 
4. PACI Number of Flat and Building (Public Authority for Civil Information)

MEW Consumer Affairs Tweet about reading Meters. Photo Courtesy to MEW @ConsumerServics.

Electricity Meter Reading with Meter Number. Photo Courtesy to MEW @ConsumerServics.

Water Meter Reading with Meter Number. Photo Courtesy to MEW @ConsumerServics.

Just for information.

Previous price of electricity was 2 fils per unit (1 KW) and 800 fils per 1000 Gallons (imperial) of Water.

Without Subsidy, Electricity would be 28 Fils upto 40 fils per unit (1 KW) AND water would be KD 10 to KD 12 per 1000 gallons (imperial).

Sources

• Council of Ministers' Decision 20/2016
• Minister of Electricity and Water Circular 3/2017
• Minister of Electricity and Water Circular 20/2017
• Council of Ministers' Decision 48/2005

Council of Minister Decision 20/2016 Pg 1

Council of Minister Decision 20/2016 Pg 2

Council of Minister Decision 20/2016 Pg 3

Minister's Circular 2/2017  Pg 1

Minister's Circular 2/2017  Pg 2

Minister's Circular 28/2017 

Using the Whatsapp numbers to update the electricity and water meter readings

CLICK HERE if the above video does not work

Modes of Payment that can be done for electricity and water meter readings.

CLICK HERE if the above video does not work

Announcement for new rates on Commercial sector from 22/05/2017 and rationalization steps

CLICK HERE if the above video does not work

Kuwaiti Currency/Banknotes information

Logo courtesy to CBK

Modern paper banknotes have come a long way in the last few centuries, with most or nearly all of the countries across the world adopting it. After Kuwait's independence in 1961, the creation of its own paper banknote led to the first issue of banknotes (before that the Indian Rupee was used). Over the years, the responsibility of the issuance of banknotes and coins is that of the Central Bank of Kuwait. (CLICK HERE for the website). There has been a total of 6 issues till date. The currency of Kuwait is the Kuwaiti Dinar (KD) - (الكويتي دينار) (د.ك). The paper banknotes are divided into 6 denominations - Quarter Dinar (1/4), Half Dinar (1/2), One Dinar (1), Five Dinar (5), Ten Dinar (10) and Twenty Dinar (20).

The latest issue of the banknotes is the sixth which was put into circulation on 29 June 2014. (CLICK HERE for the article on the sixth issue on CBK website). The currency was revealed to public during the event which was held on 19 May 2014 and was taken in excitement in Kuwait as the fifth issue has been in circulation for the past 20 years since April 1994. (CLICK HERE for the article on the fifth issue on CBK website)

Sixth Issue - Photo Courtesy to CBK

The fifth issue of banknotes have successfully been in circulation for the past 20 years and was nearly removed from circulation during the first 2 months of the new - sixth issue. The initial process of removal of fifth issue banknotes was by a simple process. Since the circulation came into effect on 29 June 2014 (end of the month), the people receiving salary when withdrew from the ATMs received all new banknotes and initially all deposits into the bank was only the old banknotes (fifth issue). This was a successful idea but with little downsides as people who had loan amounts or bills to be deposited into the bank account could not deposit the new banknotes through the ATM. Therefore long queues were seen at the banks - at the tellers. Soon after that all the machines were able to take in the new banknotes also. By the 2 month deadline, nearly 80-90% of the old (fifth) issue banknotes were out of circulation.

Fifth Issue - Photo Courtesy to CBK

The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) will be officially withdrawing the Fifth issue of Kuwaiti Banknotes from circulation by 01/10/2015 (1st October 2015). What that means is that public cannot use the fifth issue currency for trading purposes or in depositing with the regular banks in Kuwait. (The funny thing is that by 15th September 2015 itself, no one was accepting the fifth issue) The life of the fifth issue is still for another 10 years in which if anyone that has a fifth issue banknote can exchange with the Central Bank of Kuwait. For any kind of damage banknotes and exchange of banknotes can be done at the Banking Hall of the Central Bank of Kuwait.

Photo Courtesy to Central Bank of Kuwait - Arabian Gulf street - Kuwait City

The internet has a lot of articles and blog posts with regard to the new banknotes. I still remember people around Kuwait showing off the new banking notes on the 29th June 2014. Lots of comments about how the new banknotes were different and might not look good, but now everyone is using it daily without any issue and nearly have forgotten the old. The video below is presented by the Central Bank of Kuwait about the new banknotes and was video was created with the help of Cinemagic.

Unveiling of Kuwait's new banknotes (In English)

CLICK HERE if the above embedded video does not work

CLICK HERE to watch Unveiling of Kuwait's new Banknotes in Arabic.

BBC covered a story about the company responsible for printing of the New Kuwaiti Banknotes (6th Issue). I came to know that the banknotes have atleast 25 security features out of which few were mentioned to the public and across Kuwait Business. Some of the features have been reserved by Central Bank of Kuwait to thwart counterfeiters.

CLICK HERE if the above embedded video does not work

References & others discussing about the new banknotes.

• CLICK HERE for the Central Bank of Kuwait website
• CLICK HERE for the New banknotes at CBK website
• CLICK HERE for the video by Cinemagic in Vimeo created for CBK
• CLICK HERE for the post by Kuwaitiful about the new banknotes
• CLICK HERE for the post by Kuwaitiful about the designers of the new banknotes
• CLICK HERE for the post by 248am 
• CLICK HERE for the post by q8path
• CLICK HERE for the article in Kuwait Times
• CLICK HERE for the article in IndiansinKuwait
• CLICK HERE for the post by TheTrendin
• CLICK HERE for the article by Peter Symes
• CLICK HERE for the wikipedia page about Kuwaiti Dinar
• CLICK HERE for the Quartz article - New KD 10 wins third place
• CLICK HERE for the bank notes - old and new - view