New residency law anchors Kuwait’s shift to a fully digital, regulated state

Amid Kuwait’s accelerating digital transformation and the comprehensive modernization of its legislative and regulatory framework, the new residency law has emerged as a cornerstone of this shift, aimed at simplifying procedures, enhancing efficiency and reinforcing the concept of a digital state that balances openness with regulation.

The Ministry of Interior is moving steadily to re-engineer the residency system in line with Kuwait’s future vision, while meeting both development and security requirements. This approach reflects a broader national effort to modernize public services and improve the experience of citizens and residents alike, reports Al-Rai daily.

In this context, the Director-General of the General Department of Residency Affairs, Brigadier General Mazid Al-Mutairi, affirmed that the department is progressing toward its goal of achieving “zero visitors” at service centers by completing a comprehensive digital transformation of residency transactions.

He noted that approximately 85 percent of services are now provided electronically, with continuous development underway in line with the directives of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Yousef Al-Saud Al-Sabah.

Speaking during an interview on Kuwait Television on Sunday evening, Brigadier General Al-Mutairi stressed that Kuwait remains open and welcoming to all, while underscoring the importance of respecting the country’s laws and regulations. “We want a safe and attractive environment in which everyone adheres to the applicable rules,” he said.

Al-Mutairi reviewed the key features of the new residency law and its executive regulations, which recently came into force.

He explained that the previous law dated back to 1959 and underwent amendments in 1965 and 1987, followed by ministerial updates in 2019. The current version, he said, responds to legislative and economic changes and aligns with Kuwait’s ambition to become a regional financial and economic hub.

He noted that the executive regulations introduced new provisions, most notably those regulating residency for foreign investors, temporary government contract workers and employees in the oil sector.

Under the updated framework, entry visas are now classified into two main categories: nine for residency purposes and 12 for visit purposes. New visit categories have also been introduced for social, cultural and sporting activities, while family and business visits remain unchanged.

On fees, Brigadier General Al-Mutairi explained that the work visa fee is set at 10 dinars, while visit visas are calculated at 10 dinars per month. Accordingly, a one-month family visit costs 10 dinars, rising to 20 dinars for two months and 30 dinars for three months.

Regarding residency durations, the new regulations grant a 10-year residency to children of Kuwaiti women and to property owners, while foreign investors may be granted residency for up to 15 years.

He clarified that foreign investor status is determined through the General Authority for Direct Investment Promotion, subject to the approval of the Council of Ministers, with the General Department of Residency Affairs responsible for implementation in accordance with approved controls.

Al-Mutairi highlighted the flexibility embedded in the new system, noting that foreign investors are entitled to sponsor their families and are exempt from the six-month absence rule. He also explained that residency validity has been separated from passport validity, allowing residency to be granted for up to three years even if the passport expires sooner, provided it is valid at the time of application.

As for absence from the country, he said the general rule remains that residency expires after six months abroad, with exceptions for investors, property owners and children of Kuwaiti women.

For domestic workers, the allowable absence period has been reduced to four months, with sponsors able to submit electronic leave requests for longer periods through the “Sahel” application or service centers.

Emphasizing comprehensive digitization, Brigadier General Al-Mutairi said the department keeps pace with Kuwait’s cultural, sporting and social activities, citing successful experiences linked to the Sheikh Jaber Cultural Center, tourism projects, the Kuwait International Book Fair and the Gulf Cup.

All procedures, he noted, are now completed electronically through the “Kuwait Visa” platform, with most visas issued within five minutes due to electronic integration with government entities.

He added that new electronic services have been launched, including first-time residency issuance for private sector workers under Article 18, and the transfer of residency from the same sector to temporary residency under Article 14, praising the efforts of the Information Systems Department.

In terms of activity volume, Al-Mutairi revealed that weekly entry visas range between 17,000 and 20,000, covering tourist, business and family visits, while residency transactions average around 25,000 per week, fluctuating according to seasons and major events.

He concluded by reaffirming that the Ministry of Interior operates according to a clear and transparent vision on residency and visit permits. “Kuwait has no reservations toward any particular country. It is open to everyone, but within clear legal frameworks and with full respect for the state’s laws and systems,” he said.