Kuwait Updates Residency Rules for Expat Families
- Publish date: since 3 hours Reading time: 1 min read
New fees, categories, and stricter regulations come into effect as Kuwait revamps family residency permits.
- Related articles
- Kuwait Hikes Residency and Visa Fees Across Multiple Categories
- Kuwait's New Residency Law Proposes 3-Month Visit Visa and Much More
- Kuwait Gives Expats One Month to Comply With Salary Rule
Kuwait is shaking up residency permits for expatriate families. The Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate of Residency Affairs has rolled out new rules and fees as part of a broader push to reform immigration and tighten oversight of dependent visas.
New Rules for Children and Spouses
Under the updated system, children and spouses of expatriates will now be processed under Article 22 of the residency law, following all Ministry regulations and eligibility requirements. This move brings more consistency to permits that were previously managed in a piecemeal fashion.
Spouses of Kuwaiti citizens are now under Article 26, which now explicitly includes husbands of Kuwaiti women, while widows and divorcees fall under Article 28. Both groups will pay a 15 KWD annual fee per case, regardless of gender.
Expanded Family Coverage
Article 27 now allows maternal uncles and aunts of Kuwaiti citizens to obtain fee-free residency permits, extending support to extended family members.
Stricter Rules for Parents and Renewals
Parents of expatriates now fall under Article 29, and anyone with expired permits must apply in person at their local residency office for an initial renewal. This comes with a one-time 300 KWD fee, with future renewals processed online at the same rate. The change reflects Kuwait’s tighter stance on long-standing family sponsorships.
Future Provisions for Investors
Officials are finalizing a separate framework for foreign property owners and investors, which will have its own fee structure under a new article in the residency law.
A Clear Message
Across all categories, the Ministry emphasizes that applicants must meet strict eligibility conditions, signaling a wider push for more regulated and structured family residency arrangements.