Kuwait’s Interior Ministry has unveiled sweeping changes to residency and visa regulations, including significant fee increases, the confirmation of a minimum KWD 800 monthly salary for sponsoring family members, and new guidelines for dependents and temporary residents.
The updated bylaws, issued under the country’s new residence law a year ago, were published in the official gazette on Sunday and will take effect from 23 December 2025.
Kuwait Times reports, all types of visit visas, whether for work, residency, tourism, or family visits, will now carry a KWD 10 fee. Most visit visas remain valid for three months, covering government, business, family, medical treatment, and tourism purposes.
They can be renewed once for a similar period, with a maximum total stay of one year. Multiple-entry visas are valid for up to a year, allowing stays of up to one month per visit. Fines for overstaying have also been standardized based on visa type.
Some visit visas, including government visit visas held by university graduates, domestic helpers, and certain family visit visa holders, may now be converted into regular residencies, subject to authorities’ approval.
Annual renewal fees for most residencies, covering government and private sector employees, foreign students, clergymen, and stateless residents acquiring other citizenships, have doubled to KWD 20. Foreign investors and real estate owners will pay KWD 50 per year, while self-sponsored residents will face a KWD 500 annual fee, introduced for the first time.
Fees for sponsoring children and spouses have increased to KWD 20 per year for government, private sector, and student residencies. Dependents of foreign investors, real estate owners, and clergymen will pay KWD 40 annually, while family members of self-sponsored residents must pay KWD 100.
Fees for dependents other than spouses and children, such as parents, have risen from KWD 200 to KWD 300 per year.
Foreign children of naturalized Kuwaiti women will face a KWD 20 fee, while children of women who are Kuwaiti by birth are exempt. Expats can sponsor spouses and children only if they earn at least KWD 800 monthly, with exceptions for government researchers, university professors, certain educators, engineers, imams, pharmacists, nurses, journalists, coaches, athletes, and cemetery workers.
Directors of the residency department may also waive the salary requirement for residents born in Kuwait or children aged five or younger born abroad.
Temporary residencies will incur a KWD 10 monthly fee, reduced to KWD 5 for domestic helpers. The same applies for extensions, while foreigners leaving Kuwait permanently must pay KWD 10 per month for the departure period.
Temporary residencies are valid for three months, renewable up to a year, and permits to stay outside Kuwait beyond six months carry a KWD 5 monthly fee.
Families with up to six members may hire three domestic helpers, families of six to nine members can employ four, and larger households may recruit five. Annual renewal fees are KWD 10, with escalating charges for additional helpers. For expats, the annual fee starts at KWD 50 for two helpers and rises sharply for extras.
Diplomats pay KWD 10 for the first two helpers, with fees increasing for additional hires. Helpers must be aged between 21 and 60, although exemptions can be granted by the minister.
Expats entering on entry visas must obtain valid residency within two months. Passports must be valid for at least six months, though residency duration is no longer tied to passport validity. Standard residencies last up to five years, while foreign children of Kuwaiti women and property owners may receive 10-year residencies.
Investors can obtain 15-year residencies. Health insurance from the health ministry is mandatory for granting residency.
Authorities may deport a foreigner even if their residency is valid, for reasons including lack of income, unauthorized employment, or public interest, security, or moral concerns. Deportation can also result from felony convictions, repeated criminal offenses, or crimes of dishonor within five years.
The updated bylaws mark one of the most comprehensive overhauls of Kuwait’s residency and visa system in recent years, impacting thousands of expatriates and their families.
