Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has announced significant revisions to residency rules and fees that will affect expatriates as well as the family members of Kuwaiti nationals. The measures are part of a wider effort by the government to reform immigration procedures and create a more organised and uniform system.
Under the updated policy, the spouses and children of expatriates will now be regulated under Article 22 of the residency law. They will be required to meet new eligibility standards and follow revised procedures, replacing the earlier system that relied on separate and inconsistent processes.
Meanwhile, the residency status of spouses of Kuwaiti citizens has been shifted to Article 26. Wives of Kuwaiti men and husbands of Kuwaiti women will now pay an annual residency charge of 15 Kuwaiti dinars for each case. This change aims to standardise the fee structure for family members.
Widows and divorced individuals of Kuwaiti citizens will qualify for residency under Article 28. They will also be charged the same yearly fee, but their applications will require approval from the ministry. In addition, authorities have expanded benefits under Article 27 by granting free residency permits to maternal uncles and aunts of Kuwaiti citizens, easing requirements for certain close relatives.
However, tougher conditions have been introduced for expatriate parents under Article 29. Those with expired permits must personally visit residency offices for their first renewal and pay a one-time fee of 300 Kuwaiti dinars. Future renewals can be completed online but will carry the same cost.
Officials also revealed that new guidelines are being prepared for foreign property owners and investors, who will be placed in a separate residency category with its own fees.
The ministry emphasised that stricter checks and standardised regulations are intended to strengthen Kuwait’s immigration control system.
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