Dead end scenario for some expats: Is there a way out – Unfortunate experiences
KUWAIT: Every expat living in Kuwait can probably recall a memorable event that took place during their stay in the country as well as one, which they hope had never taken place. A Syrian family, which was living in Kuwait for several years, but eventually returned to Syria two years ago, is now battling to reacquire their residency permit, as the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate. But re-acquiring Kuwaiti residency is not easy. Syrians were banned from entering Kuwait, which was implemented way before the 'Arab Spring' began almost two years ago. Syrians, who were already here, were allowed to stay, but new visa applications are not being accepted but for exceptional circumstances. Kuwaiti authorities can now only process a new visa application for Syrians, if the children in the family are less than 12 years old.
However, Nader's children are 16 and 13 years old, respectively and will now be unable to rejoin him in Kuwait. "I took a decision to send my family back to Syria, because their staying longer in Kuwait was making it harder for me to save any money. I remember telling my wife that I will only stay on for two years in Kuwait, after which I will return and settle down in Syria with my family. We agreed upon these conditions, but circumstances changed so quickly," he recalled. Only a year later, the Arab Spring began rendering the current environment in Syria unpredictable and highly volatile. "I swear to God, I want them back here, but it is difficult to get that done these days," Nader lamented. He added that he was unwilling to pay a bribe in order to get his family back into Kuwait. "I couldn't afford to pay a 'wasta' or bribe.
I heard that if I pay KD3,000 I can have my family rejoin me here. But it is too much for me to pay and I am praying for their safety all the time and doing my best to get them back here," he stated. Along with Syrians, Iraqis, Pakistanis, Afghanis, Iranians and Yemenis were also banned from Kuwait in 2010 for security reasons. The ban is yet to be lifted. Meanwhile, a Filipino man named Oscar was caught unawares when he asked his employer to release him from his current job. On being released by the company immediately, the man was given a one month notice for acquiring a transfer visa.
The company told him to look for a new employer within a month or he would be deported back to his country of origin. Oscar embarked on a job hunting spree but even after a month, he was unable to find a job where the company would transfer his residency. The reason for this was that he has a pending complaint filed with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (Shuon) against an old employer for nonpayment of salary and overtime pay. His case has not been resolved till now which has added to his extended agony of being without a work visa. His case with the MSAL has also delayed his transfer to a new employer. Since then, he has been apprehending an arrest by the immigration authorities because his current visa expired. "I was supposed to finish my case in Shuon way long back, but my company refused to attend any hearing so here I am in Kuwait without a visa," Oscar said. After finally deciding to leave the country, Oscar found that he could not do so because he was a co-signed as a guarantor for a loan extended by an electronic company.
The person who had taken the loan had left the country and never returned, leaving Oscar in the lurch. He could not leave the country unless he repaid the huge amount. "I have to repay the remaining KD475 balance of his loan, because of which I am unable to go home, even if I want to. I need to repay a loan, which I never utilized." With his visa having expired, Oscar is now an illegal in Kuwait, desperately looking for work to raise the loan repayment amount for the electronic company and is trying to avoid an immigration penalty at the same time. Another Filipino expat named Bryan also had to undergo an unfortunate experience. Even though he had been living in Kuwait for 25 years and worked at a cargo company, he was left stranded and without a work visa after his company suddenly shut up shop. He tried to find a new job but failed to do so. .
To survive, he started running illegal gambling activities at home, but was unable to sustain his family. The money he earned barely covered his food expenses and his monthly rent. When he realized that he would be unable to provide for his child, who was living with him at that time, he decided to send him back to his native country. "I want to thank my country's embassy for helping me send my child home. Even if I want to go back to the Philippines, I will be on the run because I have a pending criminal case filed by police against me. I had once rented a car but never returned it," he admitted. Nader, Oscar and Bryan are only three examples of the many other hopeless cases of expatriates in Kuwait who are desperately looking for a way out.
By Ben Garcia, Staff Writer
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