Nod to project visa transfers

KUWAIT: Expats working on government projects will be allowed to transfer their residencies from Nov 3 at the end of their contracts and will not be forced to leave the country, according to a decision issued on Monday. The decision however attached five preconditions for workers to benefit from the transfer window. Workers must have stayed in the country for at least one year and their existing contract must have expired. They must submit a letter from their companies to prove that their contracts have expired. They must also obtain the approval of their employers to be able to transfer and finally, they must pay a KD 350 fee.

Biometrics deadline ends for citizens

KUWAIT: The interior ministry announced an extension of working hours for biometrics centers, including shopping malls, until midnight on Monday, as Sept 30 was the final deadline for completing biometric registration for Kuwaitis. Citizens are urged to comply to avoid disruptions to civil IDs and government or banking transactions. From Oct 1, shopping mall biometrics centers will close, but criminal evidence centers will continue providing services from 8 am to 8 pm. — KUNA

Ex-candidate freed, ex-MP ‘cleared’

KUWAIT: The court of appeals on Monday freed former parliamentary elections candidate Musaed Al-Qraifa on bail and set Oct 21 to issue its verdict. Qraifa was sentenced to four years in jail by the criminal court on charges of criticizing the decisions of HH the Amir and challenging his powers. He has been in jail since May. The court also refrained from issuing any sentence against former MP Hamad Al-Alyan and asked him to pay a KD 2,000 bail to keep good conduct. The court also scrapped a two-year jail term passed against him by the criminal court for challenging HH the Amir’s powers. Alyan was set free in May after a brief detention.

Ex-football chiefs face charges

KUWAIT: The public prosecution referred members of the resigned board of directors of Kuwait Football Association to the criminal court, which set Oct 6 to deliberate the case. The suspects face state security charges related to the events during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Kuwait and Iraq. The board members had quit after an inquiry into ticketing and logistical problems that marred the match at the 60,000-capacity Jaber Stadium.