Kuwait’s long-stay visas to boost its global financial and economic influence

• Brigadier Yousef Al-Ayoub, Director of the General Department of Residency Affairs, stated that the new residency law addresses legal and economic gaps, aiming to attract investors and position Kuwait as a financial hub.

Brigadier Yousef Al-Ayoub, Director of the General Department of Residency Affairs, stated that the new residency law was introduced six decades after the previous one. He explained that the amendments address legal and economic gaps while adapting to recent changes. One key objective, he noted, is to attract investors and position Kuwait as a financial and economic hub, the Al Rai newspaper reported.

Al-Ayoub explained in an interview on Kuwait TV that “the new law, issued by Decree 114 of 2024, regulates the entry of foreigners for work or visits. Articles from the previous law have been deleted, and new ones have been added to align with the country’s growing openness.”

He pointed out that “the new residence law ensures fairness to workers and deters expatriates. Kuwaiti citizens with children are granted residence similar to that of Kuwaiti widows and their children, with a 10-year residence permit. They are also allowed to stay outside Kuwait for more than six months without needing permission for absence, which was previously required. Now, they can remain abroad for as long as they wish, provided their residence remains valid.”

Ten-year residence visa for foreign real estate owners

He further noted that “foreign real estate owners are granted residence for up to ten years, provided their passports are valid. Investors are granted a 15-year residence, which is renewable according to the conditions set by the Council of Ministers.”

He explained that “this step aims to attract capital owners.” The new law also provides for visitors to the country to obtain a tourist, commercial, or family visa with a stay of up to three months, instead of the previous one-month period.

For newborns, the stay has been extended from two to four months to allow for the registration of the birth and residence status.

He stressed that “the new fees for accommodation and visas will be introduced soon, once the regulations to determine the new fees are completed. We are committed to creating a suitable environment to make Kuwait a financial and economic center.”

New violation fees in Kuwait set at 10 dinars a day, capped at 2,000 dinars

He concluded that “the new fees for violators will be tendinars per day, with a maximum of 2,000 dinars. A ‘block’ will be placed on both the violator and the sponsor, and if the sponsor is an expatriate, the penalty may include deportation. For those in residence for family reunification, study, or work, the violation fine will be up to 1,400 dinars, while the fine for domestic labor violations will be 600 dinars.”