Kuwait has ended its 19-year visa ban on Pakistani citizens and resumed issuing various types of visas, including work, family, visit, tourist, and business visas. The ban, imposed in 2011 due to security concerns, also affected citizens of Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan. Pakistan had repeatedly sought the restoration of visas, with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raising the issue during his 2017 visit to Kuwait.
In 2021, Kuwait partially eased restrictions by allowing visas for Pakistani families and businessmen, along with technical visas for workers in medical and oil sectors. The latest decision marks a major diplomatic achievement, strengthening bilateral ties. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, confirmed that visa approvals have already begun, calling it a positive development.
Additionally, Pakistan and Kuwait are finalizing a new labor agreement to facilitate worker mobility and rights protection. Kuwait’s shift to an online visa system ensures faster processing, with most visas issued within 24 hours. The move is expected to benefit skilled Pakistani workers, particularly in healthcare, where 1,200 nurses are set to be deployed soon.
Meanwhile, Mustafa Malik, Focal Person for the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, highlighted that Italy has also agreed to an annual job quota for Pakistanis, with an MoU already signed. Arab nations are increasingly interested in hiring skilled Pakistani professionals, reflecting growing global opportunities for Pakistani workers.
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