Kuwait Implements New Residency Rules for Expats

Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has announced the implementation of new executive regulations governing the residence of foreigners, set to come into force on December 23, 2025.

The changes are issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 2249 of 2025 and form part of the Executive Regulations of the Decree-Law on the Residence of Expats.

The updated regulations introduce revised rules covering residency permits, entry and visit visas, domestic workers, foreign investors, and the registration of expatriate newborns, as part of broader efforts to enhance regulatory clarity and administrative efficiency.

Under the new provisions, all entry visas and visit visas—across all categories—will be subject to a standardized fee of KD 10 per month, establishing a unified fee structure for visa issuance.

Grace period for expat newborn registration
In relation to expatriate newborns, the Ministry has granted a four-month grace period for registration following birth. After the expiry of this period, a fine of KD 2 per day will be imposed for the first month, increasing to KD 4 per day thereafter until registration is completed.

New rules for domestic workers
The executive regulations also outline updated conditions for issuing visas to domestic workers and similar categories. Under the new rules, a worker’s age must not be less than 21 years and must not exceed 60 years. Entry visas in these cases will be issued upon the request of the employer.

Additionally, domestic workers holding a residence permit under Article (20) will be permitted to remain outside Kuwait for a period not exceeding four months. If this period is exceeded without the sponsor applying for an official exit permit, the residence permit will be cancelled. The Ministry clarified that this provision does not apply to individuals who left the country before the regulations come into effect.

Residence entry visas for foreign investors
The regulations also introduce a new residence entry visa for foreign investors. These visas will be issued upon the request of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), in accordance with Law No. 116 of 2013.

Eligible foreign investors may be granted an ordinary residence permit for a period of up to 15 years, subject to regulations determined by the Council of Ministers and supported by an official letter from KDIPA.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the new executive regulations aim to align residency procedures with Kuwait’s broader legislative framework. All relevant authorities have been instructed to implement the provisions of the resolution, which will be published in the Official Gazette.