The Kuwaiti government has introduced new regulations governing the residency of foreigners. The document aims to simplify the residency process. Find out what will change for foreigners in the Gulf country and when, as well as the penalties for violators.

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In the fall of 2024, Kuwait actively worked on changes to its migration policy. The government of the country introduced stricter passport requirements, as well as updated the rules for obtaining a residence permit and made many other amendments to the migration legislation.

Read more about the new citizenship law in Kuwait.

What will change for expats in Kuwait in 2024?

The Kuwaiti government has introduced new rules governing the residence of foreigners through a draft decree-law that was adopted on November 12. The new rules are intended to provide stricter control over the residence of foreigners and impose severe penalties in case of violation of residence and employment standards.

1. Changes to Entry and Exit Requirements for Foreigners

Kuwait has revised its rules for foreigners entering and leaving the country:

- All foreigners must present a valid passport or approved travel document to enter or leave Kuwait.

- Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries may use their national identification cards instead of passports (as stipulated in regional agreements).

- Entry and exit must only be through officially recognized ports of entry as designated by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior.

- Foreigners who lose or damage their passport must notify the Ministry of Interior (MIA) within two weeks.

- Hotels and tenants must notify the arrival and departure of foreign guests within 24 hours.

2. Changes to the procedure for obtaining a residence permit

The procedure for obtaining and extending a residence permit has been significantly updated:

- Expats visiting Kuwait can stay for up to three months unless they are granted an extension or resident status.

- Foreign nationals who want to live in Kuwait must apply for a residence permit through the Ministry of Interior.

- Temporary residence permits are valid for three months, but can be extended for up to a year.

3. Types of permanent residence permits

Two categories of residence permits will be available in Kuwait:

- Five-year residence permit - a standard residence permit valid for up to five years.

- Ten-year residence permit - this type of permit can be obtained by certain categories of expats: children of Kuwaiti mothers, property owners, other special groups approved by the Ministry of Interior.

4. Family sponsorship

In general, Kuwaiti citizens can sponsor non-Kuwaiti family members (spouse and children). However, women who marry non-Kuwaiti men face certain restrictions depending on their citizenship status.

Non-Kuwaiti widows or divorced spouses of Kuwaiti men can apply for residency if they have children from that marriage.

5. Changes in regulations for domestic workers

Significant changes have also been made to the policy regarding domestic workers. The new law emphasizes timely reporting and also requires accountability from the employer, including:

- Employers must notify the Ministry of Interior if a domestic worker is absent for more than two weeks.

- A domestic worker’s residency permit will be automatically revoked if they remain outside Kuwait for more than four months without prior permission.

6. Deportation rules and other legal sanctions

The updated laws give the authorities more power to regulate violations of residence rights and forcibly deport, in particular from now on:

- The Minister of the Interior can issue an order for the deportation of any foreigner, even if he has a valid residence permit.

- Foreigners subject to deportation can be detained for up to 30 days, and if necessary, this period can be extended.

- If it is established that employers have illegally hidden or hired foreigners, the employers or sponsors will be financially responsible for the costs of deportation.

- The prosecutor's office is obliged to investigate and prosecute crimes related to violations of the residence regime, including human trafficking and illegal residence.

For safe relocation to any country in the world, obtaining citizenship and employment, take the advice of an international lawyer. We help to solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety in any part of the world. 

Fines and penalties for violating Kuwaiti immigration laws

- Failure to comply with reporting requirements - a fine of up to KWD 2,000.

- Fine for non-compliance with rules for hotel managers and transport operators - up to KWD 400.

- Violation of the right of residence - one year in prison or a fine of up to KWD 1,200.

- Violations related to visits - a fine of up to KWD 2,000.

- Illegal entry - up to three years in prison or a fine of KWD 3,000.

- Illegal employment of foreigners or failure to pay fees - a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to KWD 10,000.

- Human trafficking at the place of residence - a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of KWD 10,000.

Who is not subject to the new Kuwaiti citizenship law?

Based on mutual agreements or special permits from the Ministry of Interior, a certain category of persons is exempted from the residency law, including:

- Heads of state and their families.

- Employees of diplomatic missions and their families.

- Holders of diplomatic passports.

When will the new immigration rules in Kuwait come into effect? ​​

The draft law is still awaiting final approval from the Emir Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad. Therefore, the previous residency law (Amiri Decree No. 17 of 1959) is in effect for the time being. Changes usually occur within 6 months.

The new rules of Kuwait's immigration law speak of significant changes for foreigners. For those planning to live or work in Kuwait, understanding these changes is crucial for a smooth move.

Let us remind you! More and more expats are considering Kuwait as their permanent residence. And this is not surprising, because the country offers a high standard of living, decent wages, quality education and medical services. However, obtaining a residence permit for foreigners is not easy. We have already talked about the features of moving to Kuwait for permanent residence in 2024.

Igor Usyk - Head of Legal Department at Visit World

To ensure a safe move to Kuwait, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration abroad.

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