Pinoys banned in Kuwait
FILIPINOS are banned from entering Kuwait except those with “Iqama” or residence permit beginning May 10, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Paul Cortes said the ban covers Filipinos, including those with visas, who are entering Kuwait for the first time.
“According to our Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, all those new entry visas in Kuwait from the Philippines are not allowed to enter pero those na may residence visa or what you call Iqama are allowed naman to enter (but those with a residence visa or what you call Iqama are allowed to enter),” he said in an interview over CNN Philippines.
“The way it is written sa Kuwait Civil Aviation, it says all visas, so it may be tourist, it may be student, it may be business basta bagong entry hindi papayagang pumasok pero ‘yong mga dati nang nandoon, which means mayroon silang residence ID card puwede silang pumasok,” Cortes said.
He said Manila is committed to resolving issues with other countries “in an amicable manner.”
“In the case of Kuwait, hindi natin maikakaila that there are very, very friendly relations plus ‘yung very strong people-to-people links natin,” he said.
“We’re confident that we will be able to find a mutually satisfactory solution to whatever issues we feel need to be discussed with Kuwait,” he added.
Cortes said the DFA will discuss the coverage of the ban when official talks start with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
“Our ambassador there is liaising and coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make sure that nothing is lost in translation,” he said. “One, anong klaseng ban nga ba ito, anong klaseng cessation of visa ba ito? Number two, anong limits nito, sino sino ba ang sakop nito? Number three, bakit? So, all that will be threshed out with our discussion with the MOFA.”
At least 290,000 Filipinos live and work in Kuwait.
