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MIDDLE EAST REGION: Immigration Updates
July 4, 2022
Middle East
Government offices will be closed due to the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday which is expected to fall on 9 July 2022 in most countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and parts of Asia. Foreign nationals should check with their consular posts and/or government office to determine exact closure dates, and should consult their Newland Chase immigration professional about the extent of delays they should expect due to the holiday period.
Kuwait
The Ministry of Interior in Kuwait have announced the suspension of visit visas for family and tourists with immediate effect. The reason for this is to prepare for a new regulatory law that will be announced in Kuwait. There is currently no confirmed end date for the suspension of family and tourist visas. Newland Chase will provide further updates on the suspension as soon as these are announced by the immigration authorities in Kuwait.
Qatar
Due to preparations for the upcoming World Cup commencing in November, immigration processes in Qatar have been impacted significantly. Recent developments include:
- Significant delays in processing times for all current work permit applications in the Mainland & Free Zone.
- The Ministry of Interior has changed all the validity dates for any block visas that will expire from now until August 2022. The new expiry date is 30 June 2022. We understand that there is a possibility that the Ministry of Interior may stop visa approvals from 1 August.
- No committee meetings will take place for family visa applications or family visit visas until further notice.
We are expecting further changes in the rules and regulation and these may be implemented with immediate effect. Newland Chase will provide further updates as soon as these are announced by the immigration authorities in Qatar.
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
