Kuwait’s new residency law, which introduces stricter penalties for residency and visa violations, officially came into effect on Sunday. The updated regulations aim to ensure compliance with residency rules for foreign nationals and impose significant fines for violations such as failing to renew residency permits or overstaying visit visas.
Foreign nationals entering Kuwait on the following types of entry visas must secure a residency permit to avoid penalties:
Penalties for failing to obtain a residency permit:
If a worker’s residency is canceled due to the termination of employment, and a new residency permit is later issued, the penalties are:
For domestic workers whose residency expires or is not renewed, and who fail to leave Kuwait:
For domestic workers who do not obtain a residency permit at all:
If a foreigner’s residency expires, and it will not be renewed, failure to leave the country incurs the following fines:
Failure to notify authorities of the birth of a child within four months results in:
Exceeding the specified duration of temporary residency results in:
Overstaying after the expiration of a visit visa results in:
This applies to various types of visit visas, including:
The new regulations are part of Kuwait’s efforts to tighten its residency system and ensure better compliance with its immigration laws.