Expats Archives - 9xm News

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 […]

From minimum wage to tax-free income: How Qatar is helping Indian expats grow in 2025 | World News

Indian expat families in Qatar are building stable lives through work, education, and community/ Representative Image TL;DR Qatar is attracting Indian professionals with career growth, safety, and family-friendly living. Indian-run businesses are growing, with fewer barriers to ownership than before. Legal reforms have improved job flexibility and worker protections for Indian expats. For many Indians […]

Dubai car leasing in 2025: Costs, rules and best options for expats | World News

Car leasing remains a flexible and hassle-free option for expats navigating Dubai’s roads, with tailored plans and updated requirements in 2025/Representative Image TL;DR: Leasing a car in Dubai remains a cost-efficient option in 2025, particularly for expats and residents who seek flexibility, lower monthly costs, and minimal financial commitment compared to buying. Lease durations typically […]