Kuwait’s New Foreign Residency Law Aims to Curb Visa Trading, Exploitation, and Family Visa Abuse

Kuwait Introduces Overhaul of Foreign Residency Law

Kuwait has implemented a new foreign residency law, significantly updating a system that has been in place for over six decades. The law, issued through an Amiri decree on November 28, seeks to modernize the country’s immigration policies while addressing long-standing issues like visa trading and the exploitation of migrant workers.

Read More: New Laws Boost New Zealand Wages

Key Provisions of the New Law:

1. Ten-Year Residency for Children of Kuwaiti Women: A major change is the provision allowing children of Kuwaiti women to receive ten-year residency permits, which are renewable without fees, as long as they do not acquire Kuwaiti citizenship. Importantly, these children will retain their residency even if they leave Kuwait for medical or educational purposes for more than six months.
2. Crackdown on Visa Trading and Exploitation: The law imposes strict penalties on individuals involved in visa trading or exploitation, including those who facilitate the entry, residence, or visa renewals in exchange for money. Employers are also prohibited from hiring expatriates outside their originally intended roles and must ensure workers are employed with the proper authorizations.
3. Extended Family Visit Visas: Family visit visas will now be valid for three months, with fees set by the Ministry of Interior. The waiting period to bring in new domestic workers has been reduced from six months to four months after the previous worker’s departure.
4. Stronger Measures Against Human Trafficking: The law strengthens penalties against human trafficking and exploitation. Violators face fines and imprisonment, with public employees involved in illegal activities subject to even harsher penalties.
5. Digital Transformation: The law also includes provisions for a digital transformation of the residency application process. The Kuwait Visa website will undergo updates aimed at streamlining applications and improving efficiency.

Implementation Timeline:

The new law is set to take effect within six months, aligning with Kuwait’s broader efforts to modernize its residency system. Major General Ali Al Adwani, Assistant Undersecretary for Residency and Citizenship Affairs, affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and the fair treatment of all residents.