Kuwait Introduces New Regulations for Visa: What You Need to Know

Published on November 24, 2025

Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, introduced new executive regulations for residency and visa procedures governing the entry of foreign nationals into Kuwait. These updated rules, which affect all categories of entry visas, visit visas, and residence permits, are aimed at streamlining processes and ensuring that Kuwait’s immigration system aligns with contemporary needs. The new regulations detail the conditions, procedures, and fee structures for all types of visas, with a particular emphasis on making the residency process more transparent and efficient.

Visit Visa Fees: Clearer Guidelines for Different Categories

Under the updated Visit Visa Fees regulations (Article 39), the government has implemented a monthly fee of 10 Kuwaiti dinars (KD) for most categories of visit visas. This applies to several different purposes of entry, each with slightly varying rules regarding duration of stay and the specific fees associated with them. The following categories fall under this fee structure:

1. Government visits
2. Business visits
3. Family visits
4. Private visits
5. Medical treatment visits
6. Multiple-entry visits
7. Tourism visits
8. Visits for commercial activities
9. Cultural or social event visits

For each of these visa categories, the monthly fee of 10 KD ensures that individuals entering Kuwait for short-term purposes are subject to uniform and transparent pricing. Additionally, emergency entry visas and transit visas have also been incorporated into the same fee structure, making it easier for travelers to understand and anticipate their costs.

These visit visas are essential for short-term travelers such as tourists, business representatives, medical patients, and individuals attending cultural events. They enable Kuwait to regulate temporary foreign stays and better manage the flow of international visitors into the country.

Residency Permit Fees: Tailored Fees for Different Professions and Categories

The residence permit fees outlined in the new regulations are structured to reflect the status and nature of the stay of foreign nationals in Kuwait. The fees vary depending on the individual’s employment sector, investment status, and family connections. Here’s a breakdown of the residence permit fees for various categories:

• 20 KD per year for:
  • Government sector employees (Article 17)
  • Private sector employees (Article 18)
  • Foreign students (Article 23)
  • Stateless or Bedouns granted status after acquiring foreign passports, and their families (Article 30)
  • Religious personnel (Article 31)
• 10 KD per year for:
  • Domestic workers working in Kuwaiti households (Article 20)
  • Foreign women who are widowed or divorced from Kuwaiti citizens with children from those marriages (Article 28)
• 50 KD per year for:
  • Foreign business partners (Article 19)
  • Foreign investors (Article 21)
  • Foreign property owners in Kuwait (Article 25)
• 500 KD per year for self-sponsored residency (Article 24)

These categories also reflect the diversity of residency holders in Kuwait, from those working in the public sector to those who are investors, property owners, or religious figures. Self-sponsorship is one of the most significant changes, as it allows individuals to sponsor themselves for residency, albeit at a higher fee.

Family and Dependent Visa Fees: A Tiered System

Another critical aspect of the new regulations is the family/dependent visa fees, which are outlined in Article 39, Paragraph 3. The fees for sponsoring a family member or dependent differ based on the resident’s employment statusand the type of family member being sponsored. Here are the main categories:

• 20 KD per year for family members of:
  • Government employees (Article 17)
  • Private sector employees (Article 18)
  • Foreign students (Article 23)
• 40 KD per year for family members of:
  • Foreign partners (Article 19)
  • Foreign investors (Article 21)
  • Foreign property owners (Article 25)
  • Religious figures (Article 31)
• 100 KD per year for family members of self-sponsored residents (Article 24)

Family members, including spouses and children, are able to join the primary visa holder under these categories. For expatriates with self-sponsored residency, the fees for their family members are higher, reflecting the more independent nature of their residency status.

Special Cases for Family Members: Spouses, Children, and Other Relatives

In certain special cases, such as for expats married to Kuwaiti nationals or those with children who have obtained Kuwaiti citizenship through marriage, the fee for joining family members is set at 300 KD. This special category applies to 10 types of dependents including expat children of Kuwaiti women who acquired citizenship through marriage. However, in some cases, such as for expat children of Kuwaiti citizens, the fee is much lower at 20 KD.

Additionally, the fee structure is designed to ensure that families of foreign martyrs, as well as parents of Kuwaiti citizens, are not excluded from residency opportunities, with fees of 10 KD or 20 KD depending on the situation.

Fee Transparency and Simplified Procedures

The updated fee structure and application procedures for residency and entry visas in Kuwait reflect a move toward greater transparency and efficiency. Applicants can now more easily understand the financial obligations required for different types of visas and residence permits. These changes, which were implemented under the new executive decree, simplify the process for foreign nationals wishing to live or visit Kuwait, while also ensuring that the country remains able to regulate the flow of migrants based on economic and social needs.

For tourists, business travelers, and expatriates planning to settle in Kuwait, the updated visa and residency rules provide a clear framework for managing entry and stay, ensuring fairness and consistency.