Kuwait has introduced major changes to its foreigners’ residency system, issuing the new executive regulations to the Residency Law through Ministerial Decision No. (2249) of 2025.
The updated framework, published in the Official Gazette on November 23, sets out new rules for all types of entry permits, visit visas and residency categories, alongside a detailed schedule of fines and administrative fees.
The Ministry of Interior said the regulations form part of wider efforts to modernise the country’s residency governance and align it with upcoming policy requirements. The new rules will take effect one month after publication.
Kuwait entry permit system
The regulations introduce a unified structure governing entry permits for family, medical, commercial and tourist visits, as well as permits for work in the government, private and domestic labour sectors.
The Ministry has also approved updated penalty tables for exceeding authorised visit durations.
Key structural changes include new provisions for permanent residence, residence for business owners, freelance professionals, specialised professions and domestic workers, along with updated controls for the number of household workers permitted per family.
Major amendments to residency eligibility
The regulations contain significant changes to eligibility for family-based and investor residency categories. Among the amendments:
- Residency may be granted to foreigners with Kuwaiti sons or daughters
- Residency may be granted to the foreign wife of a Kuwaiti citizen and her children
- Residency may be granted to foreigners who have a Kuwaiti child or children
- Residence may be granted to foreign men and women with bank accounts
- Residence for joining family is permitted based on a family reunion request
- Residency may be granted to foreign investors or commercial partners upon submitting valid commercial licences
- Residency may be granted to foreign property owners upon proof of ownership
The Ministry said further awareness materials will be issued to citizens and residents to explain the controls for each type of visit and residency permit.
Updated fines for residency and visit violations
The new regulation includes a full schedule of violations eligible for settlement.
Newborn reporting (Article 6)
- Failure to report birth within four months:
Up to KD2,000 ($6,500)
Settlement penalty: KD2 ($6.5) per day after first month; KD4 ($13) per day after four months.
Entry permit violations (Article 9)
Applies to government, private-sector, tourism, family, study, temporary government contract and medical entry permits.
- Maximum fine: KD2,000 ($6,500)
- Settlement: KD2 ($6.5) per day after first month.
Visitor overstaying visit visas (Article 11)
For all visit types including government, commercial and family visits.
- Maximum fine: KD2,000 ($6,500)
- Settlement: KD2 ($6.5) per day after first month.
Additional visit overstays
Includes private visit, transit visit, driver visit, temporary work, medical treatment, tourism, sports, cultural and social event visits, and transport drivers.
- Maximum fine: KD2,000 ($6,500)
Domestic worker violations (Article 12)
- Domestic worker overstaying residence or departure notice deadlines:
Fine: KD600 ($1,950)
Worker residency expiry (Article 13)
- Worker exceeding residency or refusing renewal:
Fine: KD600 ($1,950)
Entry permit fees
All entry permit categories are charged at KD10 ($32.5) per month, including:
- Government work
- Private-sector work
- Family visit
- Private visit
- Medical treatment
- Study
- Tourism
- Temporary government contract
- Oil sector contract
- Traffic permits
- Transport drivers
- Aircrew
Residency fees (annual)
| Residency Type | Fee (KD) | USD Equivalent |
| Government sector work | KD20 | $65 |
| Private sector work | KD20 | $65 |
| Foreign partner | KD50 | $162.5 |
| Domestic worker (family) | KD10 | $32.5 |
| Student | KD20 | $65 |
| Foreign investor | KD50 | $162.5 |
| Sponsor-based residence (Article 23) | KD20 | $65 |
| Foreign property owner | KD500 | $1,625 |
| Divorced/widowed foreign women with Kuwaiti children | KD10 | $32.5 |
| First-time regularisation of previously unlicensed residents | KD20 | $65 |
| Religious figures (Article 31 categories) | KD20 | $65 |
Family reunification residency fees (per individual per year)
- Government sector worker: KD20 ($65)
- Private sector worker: KD20 ($65)
- Foreign partner: KD40 ($130)
- Investor: KD40 ($130)
- Student: KD20 ($65)
- Sponsor-based: KD100 ($325)
- Property owner: KD40 ($130)
- Religious categories: KD40 ($130)
Special categories
- Children of Kuwaiti mothers (by nationality): KD20 ($65)
- Foreign wife of Kuwaiti citizen: KD10 ($32.5)
- Children of Kuwaiti citizen from foreign father: KD20 ($65)
- Article 29 cases (parents joining children): KD300 ($975)
- Foreign parents with legal passports: KD20 ($65)
- Parents of deceased Kuwaiti servicemen: KD20 ($65)
- Foreign husband of Kuwaiti woman: KD10 ($32.5)
- Gulf nationals joining Kuwaiti family: KD20 ($65)
Domestic worker residency in Kuwait
Fees vary according to family size and worker number:
- First domestic worker: KD50 ($162.5)
- Additional domestic workers: KD50 ($162.5) per worker
- For large families: second worker at KD400 ($1,300) plus KD100 ($325) annually
- Third/fourth workers: KD100 ($325) plus KD100 annual
- Diplomats: KD50 ($162.5) per worker
Temporary residence and departure notification fees
- Temporary residence: KD5 ($16.3) per month
- Departure notification: KD10 ($32.5) per month
- Visit extension (Article 15): KD10 ($32.5) per month
Other administrative fees
- Nationality update: KD10 ($32.5)
- Outside-Kuwait absence permit: KD5 ($16.3) per month
- Issuing representative ID card: KD5 ($16.3)
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