Kuwait lifts 19-year visa ban on Pakistanis aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and meeting labor demands.
The Kuwaiti government has officially resumed the issuance of multiple visa categories to Pakistani citizens, a major move aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and fulfilling urgent labor market demands.
According to UAE-based Gulf News, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, announced that 1,200 Pakistani nurses are planned to be integrated into Kuwait’s healthcare system, with 125 having already arrived last week. Reports noted that Kuwait had previously halted visa issuance for nationals of Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan in 2011 due to security concerns. The latest policy now permits work, family, visit, tourist, and commercial visas for Pakistanis.
A spokesperson from Pakistan’s Ministry for Overseas Pakistanis welcomed the decision, highlighting that lifting the visa restrictions would open doors to employment, trade, and tourism for many Pakistanis in Kuwait. He expressed optimism that the move would help Pakistan generate valuable foreign exchange.
As reported by the Arab Times in Kuwait, Ambassador Iqbal confirmed that Pakistani applicants have begun receiving approvals for various types of visas this month, restoring a crucial travel and employment link between the two nations.
In comments to Arab News, Iqbal further revealed that Pakistan and Kuwait are nearing the completion of a new labor Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which aims to simplify and enhance labor mobility and bilateral cooperation. He added that some elements of the agreement are already being put into practice ahead of the formal signing.
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