Kuwait Hikes Residency and Visa Fees Across Multiple Categories
New rules bring major increases for dependents, domestic helpers, and residency renewals starting next month.
Kuwait’s Interior Ministry is rolling out significant changes to residency and visa fees, affecting expats, their dependents, and domestic helpers. The updated charges, announced in the official gazette on Sunday, will take effect in one month. These changes are part of the by-laws under last year’s updated Residency Law.
A minimum monthly salary of KD800 is now required to sponsor a spouse or children, while fees for sponsoring other dependents like parents or siblings have jumped to KD300 per year.
Visit Visa Costs and Extensions
All visit visas — for tourism, family visits, work entry, or residency entry — now cost KD10.
The new rules allow one-time renewals for the same period and even the conversion of visit visas into residency under certain conditions. Parents of newborns now have up to four months to complete residency stamping, extending the previous deadline.
Residency Renewal Fees Climb
Standard residency renewal fees have doubled to KD20 per year for government employees, private sector workers, students, clergymen, and similar categories.
-
Foreign investors and property owners will pay KD50 annually.
-
Self-sponsored residents under the new Article 24 will face a steep KD500 annual fee.
Bedouns who have acquired another nationality are subject to the same rules.
Dependents Face Steep Hikes
Dependent fees have also increased:
-
KD20 for dependents of government, private sector workers, or students.
-
KD40 for dependents of foreign investors, property owners, and clergymen.
-
KD100 for dependents of self-sponsored residents.
-
KD300 (up from KD200) for dependents outside the immediate family, like parents.
Children of naturalised Kuwaiti women will pay KD20, while children of Kuwaiti women by birth remain exempt.
Temporary Residency and Departure Fees
Temporary residency costs KD10 per month, with domestic helpers paying KD5. These fees apply to extensions as well.
Foreigners leaving Kuwait must also pay KD10 per month during the departure period. Temporary residency is valid for three months and can be extended up to a year.
Residents staying outside Kuwait beyond six months will pay KD5 per month.
Domestic Helper Rules Overhauled
Domestic helper quotas and fees have been updated:
-
Kuwaiti families with up to six members can hire three helpers; 6–9 members can hire four; larger households, five. Renewal fees are KD10.
-
Additional helpers carry higher fees: first KD50, second KD100, and rising.
-
Expat households: first helper KD50, first additional KD400, second additional KD500.
-
Diplomats: first helper KD10, next KD100, third KD200.
Helpers must be aged 21–60, though exceptions can be made by the minister.
What This Means for Residents
These changes mark one of the biggest overhauls of Kuwait’s residency system in years. Residents, employers, and families across the country will feel the impact, from higher fees to new rules for dependents and helpers.