Recent News Update: The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) in Kuwait has recently announced that they have deleted the residential addresses of demolished buildings. Citizens are urged to update their information promptly to ensure their Civil ID contains a valid address. For more details, you can read the full announcement here.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Civil ID Address:

1. Visit the PACI Website: Go to the official PACI website at https://www.paci.gov.kw/.
2. Select English Language: Click on the English language option located at the top left corner of the page to switch to the English version of the website.
3. Access Address Availability Service: Navigate to the address availability service directly by clicking here.
4. Enter Your Civil ID: Input your Civil ID number in the provided field and submit your inquiry.
5. Check the Result:
   • Valid Address: If your Civil ID has a valid address, you will see a message stating, "You have a valid address."
   • Invalid Address: If your Civil ID does not have a valid address, a message will appear instructing you to report to PACI and update your information.
6. Update Old Addresses: Even if your Civil ID shows a valid address, it is advisable to update it if the address is old. Keeping your address current ensures that all official communications and services reach you without any issues.

Why It's Important: Ensuring your Civil ID has a valid address is crucial for receiving government services and official correspondence. An updated address helps in avoiding any disruptions in services and ensures that you remain compliant with local regulations.

Action Required: If you discover that your address is invalid, promptly visit the nearest PACI office to update your information by booking your appointment using meta appointment kuwait platform . Keeping your Civil ID details current is essential for smooth interactions with various government and private entities in Kuwait.

Stay Updated: For the latest updates and announcements from PACI, regularly check their official website or trusted news sources.

By following these simple steps, you can easily verify and update your Civil ID address, ensuring you remain in good standing with PACI and other official services in Kuwait.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah signed an Amiri Order on Saturday nominating Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as Crown Prince. The Amiri Order stated that after reviewing the constitution, law No. 4 of 1964 on Inheritance of the Emirate, and Amiri Order of May 15 2024 regarding appointing a Prime Minister. And Amiri Order issued on May 10, 2024 along with Amiri decree law of 73 issued on May 12, 2024 of forming the cabinet. Article One: Nominating Sabah Khaled Hamad Al-Sabah as Crown Prince. The Prime Minister shall brief the cabinet on this nomination to take the appropriate constitutional measures. Article Three: the Amiri Order shall come into effect once published in the official Gazette.

The following is the transcript of the Amiri order:

Amiri Order

After reviewing the constitution.

And Law No. 4 of 1964 regarding the inheritance of the emirate.

And the Amiri order issued on Shawwal 6, 1445 AH, corresponding to May 15, 2024, appointing the Prime Minister.

And the Amiri order issued on Dhul-Qi’dah 2, 1445 AH, corresponding to May 10, 2024.

And according to Decree No. 73 issued on Dhul-Qi’dah 4, 1445 AH, corresponding to May 12, 2024,

We ordered the following:

Article (1):

Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah shall be nominated as Crown Prince.

Article (2):

The Prime Minister must present this order to the Council of Ministers to take appropriate constitutional measures.

Article (3):

This order will be effective from the date of its issuance and shall be published in the Official Gazette.

Amir of Kuwait,

Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Issued at Seif Palace

on 24 Dhul-Qi’dah 1445 AH, corresponding to June 1, 2024.

In conjunction with the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Education in assessing and scrutinizing the post-secondary certificates of citizens and expatriates to ensure their authenticity in cooperation with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education Lamia Al-Melhem has revealed a new method of scrutinizing the certificates of those working in government agencies, reports Al- Seyassah daily.

While confirming that the Higher Education Ministry has scrutinized the master’s and doctorate certificates of 2,730 employees; Al-Melhem disclosed the new method requires stating the appointment date of government sector employees who were recruited since 2019 till date. Moreover, the daily obtained a copy of Al-Melhem’s letter to the Ministry of Education regarding four employees who combined work and study to obtain a master’s degree.

She pointed these four employees studied while working, in violation of Ministerial Resolution No. 17/2019 on the accreditation of postsecondary degrees obtained outside the country, as well as Clause Five of Article 11 of the relevant law; stipulating that the academic certificates obtained by an employee in government or non-governmental agencies without going on sabbatical leave for the entire period specified for completing the academic degree will not be considered for accreditation. She added ministry has withdrawn the accreditation certificates issued to the four employees in compliance with the regulations.

Kuwait recorded the third highest temperature in the world on Saturday, according Eldorado Weather website that specializes in temperature indicators. The website reported that the temperature reached about 49.3 degrees Celsius at Kuwait International Airport — the third highest on Earth. The website stated that the city of Omidiyeh in Iran ranked first, as its temperature reached 51 degrees Celsius, followed by Basra in Iraq with 50 degrees Celsius.

A number of weather experts cited drought and climate change as among the causes the extreme heat that Kuwait is currently experiencing. Meanwhile, meteorologist Issa Ramadan noted that the current record-breaking temperatures in the country are exceeding the usual averages by approximately 4 to 5 degrees Celsius, reports Al-Qabas daily. He explained this intense heatwave stems from the influence of the Indian monsoon low over the region, coupled with dry, hot winds sweeping across the valleys and desert regions to the north of Kuwait from Iraq. These factors, he added, have led to a significant spike in temperatures, indicating an abnormality in recent heatwaves. Ramadan attributed this phenomenon to shifts in the global climate and the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which tends to elevate heatwaves during summers following unusually heavy winter and spring rains. He drew parallels to weather conditions observed in the autumn of 1997 and the summer of 1998.

Furthermore, he provided some relief by stating that starting today, northwest winds will become active, bringing about a moderation in weather conditions. The dust stirred up in land areas will also settle at a later time. These winds are expected to remain moderate to active throughout Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, accompanied by raised dust levels in land areas. Consequently, there will be a relative decrease in temperatures, returning to normal levels by Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Looking ahead, Ramadan anticipated the return of relative humidity next Thursday evening as winds shift to the southeast, persisting through Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. This shift will usher in rising temperatures and an atmosphere characterized by oppressive heat and humidity.

As part of its security measures, the Ministry of Interior is imposing severe legal penalties on vehicles engaged in reckless driving that endangers the lives of others.

Through ongoing traffic campaigns and in cooperation with the General Administration of Logistics and Catering, the General Traffic Department has been impounding and crushing vehicles involved in reckless driving in a car crusher.

The Ministry of Interior emphasizes that it will not tolerate reckless behavior and will apply the law strictly by crushing and cutting vehicles to ensure the safety of road users. If you observe any reckless driving, please call the emergency phone (112) or WhatsApp the General Traffic Department (99324092).

Al-Qabas has learned from reliable sources that the Council of Ministers is considering cancelling street names and replacing them with numbers, with the exception of streets bearing the names of heads of state.

The source added that the principle of “reciprocity will be applied to the issue of streets bearing the names of heads of state.”

The Al-Ujairi Scientific Center announced on Tuesday that the hottest season of the year will commence on June 7. As temperatures begin to rise, the weather will become increasingly dry over the following two weeks, the center stated in a press release.

The country has now entered the Al-Bateen rainstorm, marking the final phase of the canna season, which lasts for 13 days. This period includes the start of the intense summer heat, characterized by short or non-existent shadows on some days and the sun’s rays being directly overhead.

During this period, temperatures will climb, reaching extreme highs in various regions, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The Al-Ujairi Scientific Center noted that the Al-Bateen star’s rise is marked by strong northwesterly winds, which cause temperatures to increase from sunrise to sunset, often resulting in dusty conditions.

Additionally, the center highlighted that during the Al-Bateen period, daylight hours will extend to over 13 hours and 47 minutes, while nighttime will become shorter, with sunset occurring at approximately 6:40 PM.

The Al-Ujairi Scientific Center’s announcement prepares the region for the approaching severe heat, emphasizing the need for residents to take necessary precautions as temperatures soar.

The Ministry of Interior is extensively promoting the government-announced Amnesty scheme aimed at rectifying the status of expatriates who are illegally staying in the country. This wide-scale publicity campaign is being conducted in multiple languages, including several Indian languages, to raise awareness among the expatriate community.

The campaign warns expatriates that after June 17, they will no longer be able to adjust their legal status concerning residency matters, as the amnesty scheme deadline ends on June 17. Before this deadline, expatriates with invalid residency permits can either switch to a new sponsor by paying a fine or leave the country without incurring any fees, with the option to return on a new visa after June 17.

Sources indicate that the Ministry of Interior is preparing a comprehensive plan to address residency violators who do not utilize the amnesty period to rectify their status or leave the country. These preparations are at an advanced stage and are aligned with directives from higher authorities.

The Public Authority for Manpower has stated that the Authority has updated its automated system to implement new regulations on work permits and transfers, set to begin in early June.

The updates include an additional fee of 150 dinars for issuing a work permit for the first time and a transfer fee of 300 dinars for transferring a worker to a different company if the worker has been in the country for less than three years, only if the employer approves.

The sources confirmed that the Authority’s systems are prepared to enforce the new decision starting June 1st. Additionally, inspection teams across all governorates are ready to commence their activities in open areas from June 1st.

According to a government source, the crackdown is a top priority, targeting employees who fail to adhere to certificate verification procedures.

The campaign has identified three primary charges for those implicated in certificate falsification: Misappropriation of public funds, forgery, and fraud for illicit gains and privileges. Violators face up to seven years in prison, along with being required to reimburse twice the amount of any unlawfully obtained salaries and bonuses.

This stringent action comes in response to the discovery that numerous employees, when requested to submit their certificates for auditing, opted for retirement instead.

This development has raised suspicions, prompting further investigations.

Individuals withholding their certificates under various excuses now face imminent legal consequences, including potential salary suspensions.

To bolster enforcement measures, Kuwaiti authorities are enhancing detection methods. This involves collaboration with cultural offices and foreign universities to authenticate certificates, particularly those issued abroad. Modern technology, such as barcode systems on certificates, facilitates easier authentication of newer documents.

The Criminal Court released two female citizens — who were accused of committing ‘violent acts’ on board a Kuwait Airways flight from Bangkok, Thailand — on bail of KD1,000 each, reports Al-Rai daily.

In the recently concluded court session, Attorney Abdul Mohsen Al-Qattan — lawyer for the accused — requested the court to release his clients on bail (any amount the court deems fit), affirming they are not a flight risk.

The court set another hearing on July 14 for the lawyers of both sides to present their arguments and pieces of evidence.

A week following the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy’s agreement to acquire 500 megawatts of electrical energy from Oman and Qatar via the Gulf Electricity Interconnection Authority, the ministry is now in talks to further boost its energy imports. This move aims to bolster Kuwait’s electricity capacity ahead of the summer season.

Informed sources at the ministry stated, “The ministry is negotiating with the Gulf Electricity Interconnection Authority to purchase an additional amount of energy, aiming to enhance the previously signed contracts for 500 megawatts, with the goal of securing the electrical network during peak periods in the summer.”

The statement indicates that negotiations are still in the early stages, and the exact quantities the ministry intends to import have not yet been determined.

After nearly four years of strict limitations on lending to non-Kuwaitis, major banks in Kuwait have begun to adjust their approach, signaling a shift in policy aimed at stimulating credit growth amidst a slowdown in individual financing since 2023.

Al-Rai learned from banking sources that major institutions have communicated internally about lifting restrictions on financing for residents, a move that was imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this shift is not without constraints. Sources reported that the new lending trend is more selective, with stringent criteria including a minimum ten-year end-of-service bonus and employment with a reputable, financially stable company.

Under the latest guidelines, non-Kuwaiti government employees earning salaries starting at 250 dinars are eligible for loans, while those in the private sector must earn a minimum of 500 dinars. Additional benefits, such as expanded end-of-service rewards, are also required, with banking institutions wary of default risks across all scenarios.

Eligible professions for borrowing include traditional roles like judges, doctors, engineers, and teachers, as well as newer categories such as cooperative society employees, construction supervisors, journalists, and technicians, among others.

Customers meeting the criteria are entitled to financing with an additional margin above the value of the reward, varying based on job stability and grade. However, loans are capped at 25,000 dinars, in line with Central Bank regulations. Installment limits are determined by solvency, including salary, end-of-service benefits, and existing deposits.

This shift in banking policy signals increased competition in the sector, as major banks vie for non-Kuwaiti customers, previously served primarily by medium and small banks. The move reflects a broader strategy to attract creditworthy borrowers amid a challenging economic landscape.

While banks maintain a conservative approach to lending, citing risk management concerns, the decision to ease restrictions underscores a need to balance prudence with growth aspirations. Banks remain cautious in financing government jobs subject to Kuwaitization initiatives, with certain roles excluded from lending eligibility.

The evolving landscape of lending to expatriates reflects a strategic response to market dynamics, as Kuwaiti banks navigate regulatory requirements and competitive pressures to drive sustainable growth in the banking sector.

A Gulf-bound plane, en route to Europe, was compelled to make an emergency landing at Kuwait Airport following a tragic incident involving the demise of a passenger. Sources confirm that the aircraft diverted its course to Kuwait Airport due to a critical medical emergency concerning one of its passengers. Upon touchdown, medical personnel swiftly attended to the individual, ultimately confirming the unfortunate passing of the passenger, identified as a Filipino national.

In response, Kuwaiti authorities swiftly intervened, taking custody of the deceased and initiating necessary procedures. The case was duly registered, and investigative measures were promptly set in motion, culminating in the referral of the body to the forensic department for further examination.

Following the completion of requisite procedures, the flight was able to resume its journey, albeit after a somber delay prompted by the unforeseen circumstances.

The Public Authority for Civil Information has called on approximately 5,500 individuals to update their residential addresses by providing supporting documents within 30 days, starting from Sunday, May 26.

The Authority announced the cancellation of residential addresses for 5,501 people due to either homeowner's approval or demolition of the building. These individuals are required to register their new addresses within the 30-day period or face penalties under Article 33 of Law No. 32 of 1982, which stipulates a fine of up to 100 dinars per person.

Director General Mansour Al-Mizan explained that changing a residential address invalidates the civil card. Affected individuals must visit the Authority’s headquarters or branches to update their card data by presenting a rental contract, rent receipt, and a statement from the homeowner verifying the data. If the cardholder owns the property, they must bring the new property document.

Al-Mizan noted that this process can also be completed via the Sahel application, eliminating the need for an in-person visit. If the Authority discovers an address deletion, a text message alert is sent through (Sahel). If the individual does not respond, their civil card will be suspended and canceled from the Kuwait Mobile ID application, though the data will remain on the Sahel app. Additionally, their name will be published in the Govt Official Gazette (Kuwait Eliom), and failure to comply will result in judicial referral.

Al-Muthen urged government and private agencies to verify the validity of civil cards and not rely solely on the card’s optical image for transactions or contracts without confirming its status in (Sahl) or (Kuwait Mobile ID).

The Interior Ministry intends to impose harsher penalties on anyone who violates traffic regulations in a bid to enhance road safety and control reckless driving, says a reliable source from the government.

According to the source, the proposed amendments to the Traffic Law that will be approved soon include the following: 

One to three years' imprisonment or a fine ranging from KD 1,000 to KD 3,000 for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Three months in jail or a KD 300 fine for using a mobile phone while driving. – Three months' imprisonment or a fine of KD 500 maximum for driving beyond the speed limit.

Two months jail time or a fine of KD 200 maximum for violating the tinted windows regulation.

The new law also addresses other reckless driving habits as follows:

KD 75 fine for leaving children or pets unattended in a car or allowing them to protrude from windows. – Fine ranging from KD 100 to KD 200 for allowing children under 10 years old to sit in the front seat or not using the child seat at the back seat.

Fine ranging from KD 250 to KD 500 for failure to give way too emergency vehicles like fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. –

Imprisonment for three months or a fine ranging from KD 200 to KD 500 for beating the red light.

The source affirmed that these strict penalties aim to deter precarious behavior on the roads and to raise public awareness of the importance of adopting safer driving habits.

In a move aimed at expanding specialized healthcare services and enhancing accessibility to integrated health facilities, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, Minister of Health, has issued a ministerial decision mandating the establishment of a neurosurgery department at Jaber Hospital.

Under the same initiative, another decision has been issued appointing Dr. Tariq Al-Sheikh as the head of this newly established department, with both decisions set to take effect immediately.

The ministerial decree by the Minister of Health reflects the Ministry’s commitment to its strategic plans aimed at bolstering healthcare provisions across the country. These plans prioritize the delivery of high-quality healthcare services in all governorates, considering population distribution, geographical coverage, and the need for streamlined access to medical services, thereby reducing wait times and ensuring prompt appointment scheduling.

The Ministry of Interior has announced that it will not allow those who violated the Residency Law to leave the country or legalize their status after June 17 — the humanitarian deadline it set for violators to leave or amend their status without paying fines. Security sources confirmed to the daily that the ministry will intensify its campaign against the Residency Law violators once the deadline ends, indicating it will pursue those who violated the law and then deport them.

Sources pointed out that violators can amend their status through legal frameworks within the abovementioned deadline in order to avoid being pursued by security personnel. Sources also warned that those who will be deported during the intensified inspection campaign can no longer return to the country. Last year, the ministry arrested and deported about 40,000 Residency Law violators; and the number of violators before the amnesty was estimated at about 120,000, sources added.

Rashid Al-Owaihan, the Controller of Trademarks and Patents at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the detrimental effects of trademark imitation, citing its role in deceiving consumers and perpetuating commercial fraud through the sale of poor-quality, counterfeit, and non-original goods, reports Al-Jarida daily. This not only harms consumers but also inflicts financial losses on original brand owners and companies.

Al-Owaihan underscored the pivotal role of trademarks in fostering competition and sustaining the commercial sector. Protecting trademark owners is essential for facilitating advertising and familiarizing the public with their products, he explained, stressing the importance of trademark registration. Al-Owaihan outlined the ministry’s proactive approach to combating trademark imitation, including conducting inspection campaigns to identify and penalize offenders.

According to the law, imitation of trademarks can result in imprisonment for one month to three years or financial penalties to compensate for damages incurred. Regarding the ministry’s plans for enhancing its operations, Al-Owaihan revealed ongoing efforts to strengthen the monitoring and protection of industrial intellectual property. This includes the development of a comprehensive violations system to electronically track and prosecute offenders, ensuring strict adherence to legal provisions. By implementing robust measures to safeguard trademarks and patents, the ministry aims to uphold consumer trust, promote fair competition, and safeguard the interests of original brand owners and businesses in Kuwait’s market.