KUWAIT: Security sources said expats cannot bring their parents or siblings on family residence visas even if they are ready to pay the increased health insurance fees for them, until a new fee list that was sent to the National Assembly is approved. They added the new fees will increase exponentially.

The sources said the interior ministry has begun imposing increased health insurance on parents and siblings who are already in the country when they renew their residence permits, adding that 1,500 such persons renewed their residencies this month out of 13,000 that are required to do so.

The sources said the decision includes relatives of Kuwaitis and there are no exemptions, except for those with special needs. They said the decision includes non-Kuwaiti parents and siblings under the sponsorship of citizens and expats, and are required to pay the new health insurance fees to renew their residency permits. The sources said husbands and children of Kuwaiti women are not included in this new regime. - Al-Rai