Kuwait Extends Biometric Fingerprinting Deadline, Warns of Transaction Halts for Non-Compliance

The Kuwaiti government has extended the deadline for mandatory biometric fingerprinting registration for both citizens and expatriates. The new deadlines are September 30, 2024, for Kuwaiti citizens and December 30, 2024, for expatriates.

The initial deadline was set for June 1, 2024. However, the Ministry of Interior has granted an extension to facilitate the registration process. The mandatory biometric fingerprinting applies to all residents aged 18 and above, including citizens of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

To complete the registration, individuals must book appointments through the Sahel platform or the Meta platform before visiting designated centers. These centers include locations at land borders, Kuwait International Airport, security directorates at governates, and commercial complexes.

As of April, approximately two million citizens and expatriates have submitted their fingerprints, leaving around 400,000 more to complete the process. To accelerate the registration, the government has installed biometric scanners at malls, opened new registration centers, and introduced an at-home fingerprinting service for the ill and elderly.

The Ministry of Interior has warned that failure to comply with the registration requirement will result in the suspension of all transactions with the ministry. This includes renewing residence visas and obtaining or renewing driver's licenses.

The mandatory biometric fingerprinting aims to enhance security measures and tackle dual nationalities in Kuwait. The country's demographics, with a population of 4.8 million, including 3.2 million foreigners, may have contributed to the delays in the registration process.

The extension is based on the directives of Fahad Yousuf Saud Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister, Defense Minister, and Interior Minister, aiming to facilitate the needs of citizens and expats and ensure the security establishment's swift completion of the work.

Kuwaiti authorities have emphasized the importance of compliance, warning that transactions will be halted for those who fail to register. Residents are advised to consult official channels provided by the Ministry of Interior for more information and appointment scheduling.

In summary, the extension of the biometric fingerprinting deadline provides additional time for citizens and expatriates to complete their registration. However, the Ministry of Interior's warning about halted transactions underscores the urgency of compliance.

Key Takeaways

• Kuwait extends biometric fingerprinting deadline to Sept 30, 2024 for citizens and Dec 30, 2024 for expats.
• Registration applies to all residents aged 18+, including GCC nationals.
• Book appointments through Sahel or Meta platforms before visiting designated centers.
• Failure to comply will result in suspension of transactions with the Ministry of Interior.
• Around 400,000 individuals still need to complete the registration process.