expats – 9xm News

Saudi Work Permit Classification for Foreign Workers explained: What expats and employers must know | World News

The Work Permit Classification is implemented in two phases: first for current non-Saudi workers from July 5, 2025, then new arrivals August 3, 2025/ Representative Image In a major shift from the decades-old, one-size-fits-all work visa system, Saudi Arabia has launched a new skill-based classification for work permits. Effective July 5th 2025, this policy divides […]

Is UPI available in Gulf countries? How Indian expats can use UPI across banks and apps: All you need to know | World News

Since 2022, UPI has expanded to the GCC, with Qatar and Oman becoming the latest countries to join/ Representative image The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has rapidly gained global attention for revolutionizing digital payments in India, and its expansion is now making waves in the Middle East, especially across the GCC nations. UPI, which allows […]

New passport rules for Indian expats in Dubai: What applicants need to know about 2025 photo guidelines | World News

Indian passport applications in Dubai must include ICAO-compliant photographs/Image: File Starting September 1, Indian expats in Dubai applying for new passports or renewals must submit photographs that conform to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The directive was officially circulated by India’s Ministry of External Affairs to all embassies and consulates worldwide, including the Indian […]

Tragedy strikes: 13 Asian expats dead in Kuwait after consuming suspected toxic alcohol | World News

13 Asian expats dead in Kuwait/Representative Image Kuwait is grappling with a tragic crisis as 13 expatriate workers, all of Asian nationality, have died and dozens more have been hospitalised due to toxic alcohol poisoning. The Ministry of Health confirmed that 63 cases of poisoning linked to methanol-contaminated alcoholic beverages have been treated since Saturday. […]

Kuwait: No more minimum salary requirement for family visit visas, what expats need to know | World News

Visitors to Kuwait can now enter by air, land, or sea using any airline or transport carrier, removing previous restrictions/ Representative image Kuwait has officially removed the salary requirement for expatriates applying for family visit visas, in a significant shift aimed at easing entry for extended family members. The move, confirmed by top interior ministry […]

Kuwait: GCC expats, including Indians, now eligible for instant tourist visa on arrival in Kuwait | World News

GCC expats can now get a Kuwait tourist visa on arrival at all airports and border ports with valid passport and 6-month residency/ File In a major policy shift benefiting millions of Gulf expatriates, Kuwait now allows foreign GCC residents to obtain tourist visas on arrival, without prior application or embassy procedures, lifting long-standing restrictions […]

Expats barred from more jobs in Oman: Systems analysts, engineers, and managers now restricted | World News

Oman has expanded its list of professions prohibited for non-Omani workers/Representative Image TL;DR: Oman has expanded its list of professions prohibited for non-Omani workers, now including engineers, IT roles, quality control, and several technical and supervisory positions. The restrictions take effect immediately for many jobs and will be phased in for others between January 2025 […]

UAE to increase card fees for foreign transactions: Here’s how expats can avoid extra charges | World News

UAE expats may face higher charges on international card use starting September/ Representative Image TL;DR From Sept 22, UAE banks will raise fees on international card use to 3.14%, impacting travel and global online purchases. Expats sending money home or spending abroad will see higher charges on every swipe. There are ways to reduce costs, […]

Major driving licence rule changes in Kuwait: What expats and citizens should know | World News

Kuwait has updated its driving licence validity rules, granting 15-year licences to citizens and 5-year licences to expatriates/Representative Image TL;DR: Kuwait has updated traffic law, granting 15‑year driving licence validity to Kuwaiti and GCC citizens, while non-Kuwaiti expatriates now receive licenses valid for 5 years. Resolution No. 425/2025 updates Article 85 of Ministerial Resolution 76/81, […]

UAE: No visa renewal for Dubai residents without paying traffic fines, what expats need to know | World News

Dubai’s new system requires residents to settle all unpaid traffic fines, either fully or via instalments, before completing visa renewals/ Image: Dubai Media Office TL;DR Dubai residents must clear all traffic fines before renewing or issuing residency visas, under a new pilot system by GDRFA. The system is designed to encourage rule-following, not punish, payment […]