Deadline Alert: Kuwait Risk Losing Bank Access Without Biometric Registration

Deadline Alert: Kuwait Risk Losing Bank Access Without Biometric Registration. In a significant development to enhance security and streamline identity verification, Kuwait has set strict deadlines for citizens and residents to register their biometric fingerprints.
Following the September 30 deadline, the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) has provided a list of unregistered Kuwaiti citizens to the Kuwait Banking Association, initiating the freezing of accounts for those who missed the deadline. This directive mandates citizens to complete biometric registration to maintain access to essential financial services.
Biometric Registration and Account Freezing Timeline
The Kuwait Banking Association, acting on PACI’s instructions, has ordered banks to begin suspending accounts that remain unregistered beyond the deadline.
For citizens, a grace period was offered until November 1 to complete the registration, after which banking services, including Knet, Visa, and MasterCard, would be frozen if compliance was not met.
Current Registration Status
- Kuwaitis Unregistered: Approximately 60,000 Kuwaitis were unregistered as of the September deadline.
- Total Registrations Pending: An estimated 110,000 Kuwaiti citizens and 790,000 expatriates are yet to complete the biometric fingerprinting process.
Expatriates have been granted additional time to complete the process, with their final deadline set for December 31, 2024. This extended timeline reflects the large percentage of expatriates in Kuwait, who represent over 65% of the total population, according to PACI data.
Surge in Biometric Center Visits
Following the September deadline, biometric registration centers have reported a significant increase in daily attendance. Previously, these centers were handling around 600 individuals per day, but the numbers have surged to an impressive 6,000 per day as the deadline looms.
This surge highlights the urgency among Kuwaitis to avoid potential disruptions in banking services by ensuring timely compliance with the new registration policy.
Temporary Exemptions for Certain Citizens
The Ministry of Interior has announced temporary exemptions for specific groups of citizens who are currently abroad, such as:
- Students on Scholarships: Kuwaiti students studying overseas.
- Patients Abroad: Individuals seeking medical treatment outside Kuwait.
- Diplomats and Foreign Office Employees: Kuwaitis working in embassies and official offices abroad.
These exempted citizens will need to complete the biometric fingerprinting upon their return to Kuwait. As per Al-Seyassah Daily, these returning individuals must complete the process at the airport before re-entering the country.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Non-compliant citizens face immediate repercussions in the form of frozen bank accounts. This includes a suspension of all banking transactions, including cash withdrawals, digital payments, and account transfers.
By mid-October, bank cards such as Knet, Visa, and MasterCard will be disabled for those who have not met the biometric requirement. By November 1, all bank account services will cease entirely, and individuals will be unable to access their funds even through in-person bank visits.
Additionally, PACI and Kuwaiti banks have implemented a phased approach to notify affected citizens of the upcoming freezes. Banks have already sent official notifications to customers impacted by these measures, advising them to complete their biometric registrations as soon as possible.
Government Role in Biometric Registration Enforcement
The Kuwaiti government has demonstrated strong commitment to the biometric registration initiative, viewing it as a necessary security measure. PACI’s involvement in compiling and updating lists of unregistered citizens has streamlined the enforcement process, with civil card suspensions included as an additional measure against non-compliance.
These actions by the government underscore Kuwait’s commitment to adopting biometric technology as a means of improving national security.
Security and Efficiency Goals
Kuwait’s biometric registration initiative aligns with global trends of utilizing biometric technology to enhance security, streamline identification, and facilitate efficient banking transactions. By implementing biometric fingerprinting, the government aims to:
- Reduce Identity Fraud: Biometric registration provides a more reliable way of verifying identities, which helps to prevent unauthorized access to banking services.
- Improve Security Measures: Biometrics offer an added layer of security, which is particularly valuable for protecting sensitive information and ensuring financial security.
- Facilitate Financial Transparency: With accurate identification of all citizens and residents, the government can ensure compliance with financial regulations, contributing to a more transparent banking system.
Public Response and Future Implications
The biometric registration initiative has met mixed responses among Kuwaitis and expatriates. Many citizens recognize the benefits of enhanced security but have expressed concerns about the potential inconveniences, especially given the high volume of individuals required to complete the registration within a limited time.
Nonetheless, the government remains committed to the process, with plans to expand and improve biometric service centers to accommodate the high demand and facilitate smoother registration procedures.
With the banking and civil card suspensions in place for non-compliance, Kuwaitis and residents have little choice but to complete the process if they wish to maintain their financial access and legal residency status.
Moreover, the government’s decision to extend the deadline for expatriates reflects an understanding of the logistical challenges that such a large portion of the population might face in meeting the requirements.
Biometric Registration | The mandatory fingerprinting process Kuwait has implemented for identity verification. |
Kuwait Banking Association | The organization coordinating with banks to enforce biometric requirements by suspending accounts. |
PACI | The organization coordinates with banks to enforce biometric requirements by suspending accounts. |
Account Freeze | The suspension of banking services for citizens who have not registered their biometric data. |
Ministry of Interior | The government body granting temporary exemptions for citizens abroad regarding biometric deadlines. |
Civil Card Suspension | Part of the government’s measures to enforce compliance by deactivating identification cards. |
Kuwaiti Expatriates | The government body is granting temporary exemptions for citizens abroad regarding biometric deadlines. |
Knet, Visa, MasterCard | Foreign residents in Kuwait have until December 31, 2024, to complete their biometric data. |
Fingerprinting Centers | Centers set up to register biometric data, witnessing a surge in attendance after the deadline. |
Conclusion
Kuwait move to enforce biometric registration reflects its efforts to build a secure, transparent, and efficient identification system for all citizens and residents. Although the registration process has created temporary challenges, it ultimately supports the country’s long-term vision of technological integration and enhanced security.
Compliance with biometric fingerprinting is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted banking services, and individuals are encouraged to complete the process promptly to avoid any disruptions.
The government’s phased approach and communication efforts ensure that Kuwaitis, expatriates, and special exemptions are well-informed, marking this as a key milestone in Kuwait’s digital security transformation.