Showing posts with label PACI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PACI. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

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.

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

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

Friday, June 5, 2015

Ramadan 2015 Working Hours

RAMADAN 1436 UPDATE: Kuwait announces Thursday, 18/06/2015 as First day of Ramadan 1436. (CLICK HERE for Source)

RAMADAN 1436 UPDATE: Kuwait's Crescent Sighting Authority is meeting on TUESDAY (16/06/2015) to confirm whether Wednesday or Thursday will be 1st of Ramadan based on the sighting of the Moon.

Ramadan 1436 which coincides with June-July 2015 leads to some changes in Kuwait. The working hours of employees for government sector reduces from 35 hours a week to 25 hours a week. On the other hand, for private firms, it is reduced from 48 hours to 36 hours a week. Basically, 2 hours is removed from each day. This is the privilege that the government of Kuwait provides for the people during the month of Ramadan. The official timings for the government sectors are provided by the Assistant Undersecretary for Diwan Affairs & Manpower at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which are as follows(Based on Cirular no 1-2015 dated 03/06/2015):

The following government bodies are functioning from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm.

  • Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • Public Authority for Youth and Sports.
  • Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
  • Environment Public Authority.
  • Ministry of Justice
  • Public Authority for Industry.
  • Ministry of Public Works.
  • Public Authority of Minor Affairs.
  • Ministry of Higher Education.
  • Kuwait General Administration of Customs.
  • Ministry of Communications.
  • Kuwait Fire Service Directorate.
  • Ministry of Education.
  • Credit and Savings Bank.
  • Ministry of Information.
  • Zakat House.
  • Public Authority for Housing Welfare.
  • Kuwait Municipality.
  • Kuwait Ports Authority.
  • Civil Service Commission.
  • Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources.
  • National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters.

Rest of the government bodies will work from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm.


Words of caution, the work pace in the month of Ramadan in Kuwait slow down. Also, for the above mentioned times, people will be taking break during the Noon prayers (Zuhr) which is around 11:50 am. So one will not find people sitting at the tables between 11:50 am till around 12:30 pm. So one should keep this in mind as one's patience will be tested.
Photo Courtesy to Civil Service Commission
CLICK HERE for previous post of Ramadan 2014 Working hours - Timings in Kuwait.
CLICK HERE for precious post of Ramadan 1435-2014.


Kuwait Bank timings for Ramadan have been declared. The working hours for the employees are 9:30 am to 2 pm. While Customer / Client services will be 10 am to 1 pm. This was issued by the Kuwait Banking Association which was received from Central Bank of Kuwait. (CLICK HERE for the article in Indians in Kuwait & CLICK HERE for the article in Kuwait Times)

The Scientific Center of Kuwait has announced its Ramadan Timings (DAILY).
  • Before Iftar - 4 pm to 6 pm.
  • After Iftar - 9 pm - 12 midnight.
Ticket Prices: 
  • Kuwait Aquarium KD 2.500
  • Discovery Place KD 1.500
  • IMAX (2D) KD 2.500
  • IMAX (3D) KD 3.000
The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) working hours (South Surra):
  • Morning 10 am till 2:30 pm. (For counters and Card Delivery)
  • Afternoon 2:30 pm till 6 pm. (For Card Delivery only)
20 Seven Fitness Studio
  • Morning 4 pm - 6:30 pm
  • Afternoon 8:30 pm - 11 pm
360 Mall
  • Retail 11 am - 3 pm and 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Restaurants & Cafe 5 pm - 2 am
  • Entertainment 8:30 pm - 1:30 am
  • Cinemas 9 pm - 3 am (Last 10 days - CLOSED)
  • Fitness First - Weekdays 10 am - 1 am ; Weekends 12 pm - 1 am
  • Geant Hypermarket 10 am to 1 am (Last 2 days : 10 am - 2 am)
  • International Mills : 11 am - 4:30 pm and 8 pm - 1 am
Blink Store Hawally
  • Saturday - Thursday 10 am - 4 pm ; 8 pm - 12:30 am
  • Friday - 8 pm - 12:30 am
Blue Delivery
  • Ordering Hours : 1 pm - 6 pm
  • Delivery Hours : 11 am - 6 pm ; 9 pm - 1 am
Brown Diamond
  • Commercial Towers - Zahra Co-op - Andalus Co-op : 1 pm - 12 midnight
  • Yamouk Co-op - Saveco : 2 pm - 11 pm
Bumper2Bumper Alfa Station Centers
  • Saturday - Thursday 9:30 am - 1 pm
  • Saturday - Thursday 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Bumper2Bumper Centers 
  • Saturday to Wednesday 9:30 am - 1 pm
  • Saturday to Wednesday 8:30 pm - 11:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am to 3 pm
Touristic Enterprises Co (TEC)
  • Entertainment City : All Week Long 8:30 pm - 1:30 am
  • Touristic Park & Fountain Park : 8 pm - 1 am
  • Ice Skating Rink 10:30 am - 4 pm and 8:30 pm - 12 midnight
Eureka Showroom
  • Saturday to Thursday - 10 am - 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Friday - 1 pm - 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Al Shuwaikh and Al Fahaheel Branch Evening Time 8:30 pm to 12:30 am
Avenues Mall
  • IKEA Exhibit 10:30 am - 3:30 and 8 pm - 1 am & Restaurants 6:30 pm - 12 midnight
  • International Mill : 10 am - 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm - 1:30 am
  • Kidzania : 6 pm till 12 Midnight
International Mill
  • Salhiya : 10:30 am - 3 pm and 8:30 pm - 12:30 am
  • Salmiya : 9 am - 5:30 pm and 8 pm - 12:30 am
  • Avenues : 10 am - 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm - 1:30 am
  • 360 Mall & Dajeej : 11 am - 4:30 pm and 8 pm - 1 am
  • Co-op : 8:30 am - 6 pm and 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Geant Hypermarket : 8 am - 1 am (closed during Iftar)
Q8 Balance
  • Boards & Boats - Saturday to Thursday : 8 pm till 11 pm
Quality Net
  • Head office (Al Khaleejia Complex) : 10 am - 3 pm and 9 pm - 11:30 pm (Sunday to Thursday)
  • Sahari Mall - Jahra : 10 am - 1 pm and 9 pm - 12 midnight (Saturday to Thursday)
Waves Delivery
  • 12:30 pm - 6 pm
  • 9:30 pm - 12 midnight
X-cite (All Branches)
  • Saturday to Thursday : 10 am - 4 pm and 8 pm - 1 am
  • Friday : 8 pm - 1 am
  • Marina Mall (Saturday to Thursday): 11 am - 4 pm & 8:30 pm - 1 am
  • Marina Mall (Friday): 8 pm - 1 am
  • Friday (Fahaheel, Avenues, Sahari & Liwan-Fintas) : 10 am - 4 pm & 8 pm - 1 am
AAB World
  • Shamiya  Co-op , Symphony Salmiya and Salhiya : 9 am - 3:30 pm & 8 pm - 12 midnight.
  • CityCenter Salmiya : 10 am - 4 pm & 8 pm - 12:30 am.

The following are the times posted by Mark on 248am blog (CLICK HERE for the post)

Banks: 10AM to 1:30PM (Airport 24 hours)
Government: 9:30AM to 2PM
360 Mall: 11AM to 3PM & 8:30PM to 1AM
Avenues Mall: 10AM to 4 & 8PM to 1AM
Gate Mall: 10AM to 3PM & 8PM to 12AM
Marina Mall: 11AM to 4PM & 8:30PM to 1AM
Salhiya: 10:30AM to 2:30PM & 8:30PM – 12:30AM
Souq Sharq: 10AM to 4PM & 8:30PM to 1AM

Cinescape - Kuwait National Cinema Company
  • First 20 days of Ramadan : 9 pm - 2 am (Across All Screens - All Locations)
  • Last 10 days of Ramadan - CLOSED (7th July until 16th July)
Kuwait Central Blood Bank (Jabriya - Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital Campus opposite Hawally)
  • BLOOD Donation : Sunday - Thursday 10 am - 2 pm and 9 pm - 1:30 am
  • PLATELET Donation : Sunday - Thursday 8:30 am - 1 pm and 9 pm - 1:30 am
  • BLOOD & PLATELET Donation Saturday - 9 pm - 1:30 am
  • Friday closed
Kuwait Central Blood Bank ( Jahra and Adan branch)
  • Sunday - Thursday 9 pm - 1:30 am
BALADIA (Kuwait Municipality) announces timing for Burials across different cemetery/graveyard (Based on Circular no 3-2015)
  • Morning - 10 am
  • Afternoon - After Asr Prayers (3:20 pm)
  • Night - 10 pm
Photo Courtesy to Baladia/Kuwait Municipality

Sunday, March 4, 2012

PACI Number Plates

Building PACI number Plate
In the past few months the new PACI (Public Authority for Civil Information) number plates (Establishment Numbers) have started popping up in front of doors all over Kuwait. They have popped up in front of every kind of door that exists in Kuwait. (Sooner or later we might be able to buy a door or two with PACI number plates being sold with it - Humor me). Until now I have seen them put up in two different ways. Next to Apartment doors, they have been putting up stick on plates while in front of the building they are screwed into the pillars of the building. The numbers themselves have not changed at all. They are still the same as they were 15 years back. Only difference is putting up newly designed number plates (similar to the car number plates design change).

Some building number plates start with 9, I was guessing sooner or later somewhere in Kuwait the building number plate will coincide with mobile numbers of someone residing in that building. All the number plates that I have seen till now are 8 digits. That means 99,999,999 (Around 100 million options) The photos below show the new and the old designs. The new plates have a barcode printed at the bottom left. I have no idea about the purpose of that. Thinking about it, I am not sure of the purpose of the PACI number. I do not see them written in our civil identity cards even though we have a whole address mentioned on the back of the card.
Kuwait Finder App Logo (Courtesy to Kuwait PACI)
UPDATE (16th June 2013) : PACI GIS website has kicked in. CLICK HERE. Similarly for Smartphones the applications have been put up. (KUWAIT FINDER APP) For Iphone CLICK HERE. For Android CLICK HERE. Currently in Arabic.
Apartment PACI number plate - NEW
Apartment PACI Number plate - OLD