Kuwait Bans Kenyan and Nigerian Workers: Visa Fee Updates

Thousands of Kenyan and Nigerian domestic workers could be affected after Kuwait banned domestic worker recruitment from both nations.

Kuwait Bans Kenyan and Nigerian Workers, According to the new directive from the Kuwait Ministry of Interior, the government will not approve any visa applications and issue work permits to domestic workers from Kenya and Nigeria.

If you had a pending visa application or even agency fees paid, read more about what this ban means for you.

What Does the Kuwait Ban on Recruiting Domestic Workers From Kenya and Nigeria Mean?

The ban covers the recruitment of Kenyan and Nigerian domestic workers looking for jobs in Kuwait.

Under this ban, recruiters cannot process any new domestic workers’ visa applications for workers coming from Kenya and Nigeria.

Status of Applications on Visa Hold?

The main worry on the mind of the affected individuals is what will happen with their visa applications, which are already in process.

As per reports, the pending applications are expected to get frozen, suspended, or revoked since no entry permit would be issued under these categories anymore.

It means:

There might not be any approval of pending domestic worker visas anymore.
There would not be any issuance of new permits while these are suspended.
Individuals may not be able to travel, although some documents are already processed.

No exemption would be given to applicants whose applications are in process.

Can you travel to Kuwait?

For those who had to travel to Kuwait as a result of the ban, traveling to this country would be affected.

Travelers can find themselves in a situation where the travel permit cannot be processed until the ban is lifted.

Therefore, it is recommended for applicants to check their status with their agencies/authorities of the Kuwait Labor Ministry.

What happens to agency fees?

Refunds could very well turn out to be among the most important questions for those workers whose applications are affected by the suspension.

There is currently no automatic, government-backed refund scheme associated with the suspension. Whether an applicant receives a refund will depend on:

The agreement was signed with the recruitment agency
The refund policy of the agency
Consumer protection and labor laws in the applicant’s home country
Whether the visa process was completed at the time of suspension

Recruitment contracts often include clauses about visa denials, government bans, or force majeure situations.

Applicants should carefully study their contracts and seek clarifications from their agencies.

What should applicants do next?

Applicants facing the situation of a pending application are advised to take the following actions:

Contact Your Recruitment Agency

Ask about your application’s status and about possible refunds.

Read Your Contract

Seek clauses about visa revocation, recruitment suspension, and other issues.

Save all documentation

Retain copies of your receipt, agreement, correspondence, etc., in case of disputes.

Make Reports

If your complaints remain unanswered, consider filing a complaint with your country’s labor ministry or consumer watchdog organizations.

From Which Countries May Domestic Workers Be Sent to Kuwait?

It is claimed that Kuwait continues to recruit domestic helpers from many countries approved by its regulations.

They include:

India
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Philippines
Vietnam
Ethiopia
South Africa
Benin
Eritrea
Senegal (based on certain conditions)

It is important to note that the policy on recruiting may vary and needs to be confirmed officially by the governments.

Conclusion

The decision made by Kuwait not to allow domestic workers from Kenya and Nigeria has put many individuals who wish to gain employment in Kuwait in uncertainty. The pending visa applications are bound to be either deferred or even cancelled. The possibility of getting back agency fees will depend greatly on the existing contractual agreement.

Kuwait Bans Kenyan and Nigerian Workers: What Happens to Your Pending Visa & Agency Fees?