Get Things Done in Kuwait

Whenever I’m faced with paperwork, I find myself baffled over the multiple set of procedures and official documents involved just to get things done in this country. I am aware that this situation is being improved with “E-Government” systems, etc., but it remains that there are numerous times when I would drive all the way to some institute or ministry, in the heat, in the traffic, wait in queue, only to finally find out that I had been missing a certain document or that I hadn’t made a photocopy of something —what do you mean they don’t have photocopiers at police stations?!

Here’s a little productivity tip that should ease most of the tedious non-automated paperwork and help you get the most out of your time:

1. Scan the official items listed below
2. Print a copy of them (make sure they are to scale!)
3. Save all the images as JPG or PDF on a USB flash memory and keep it in your keychain
4. Keep a copy secured safely in your car compartment at all times

Official Documents:

• Your Civil ID (front & back)
• Your Birth Certificate
• Your Citizenship
• Your Passport
• Recent passport-size (4 x 6) photos
• Your CV or business card (you never know!)

You should be able to get by with these, but in some rare procedures your parent’s documents might be required, so it’s a good idea to have a copy of theirs too. But if they ask for the ‘original’ then you’re stumped. If you find yourself missing a copy of something, at least you can print it from your backup USB flash drive at the nearest copy center.

Let me know if I’m missing something in the comments.