Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has introduced major changes to residency procedures and fees affecting expatriates and family members of Kuwaiti citizens as part of broader immigration reforms.
Under the new framework, spouses and children of expatriates will now fall under Article 22 of the residency law and must comply with updated eligibility and regulatory requirements, replacing previous fragmented procedures with a unified system.
Spouses of Kuwaiti citizens have been reclassified under Article 26, with wives of Kuwaiti men and husbands of Kuwaiti women now subject to an annual residency fee of 15 Kuwaiti dinars per case.
Widows and divorcees of Kuwaiti citizens will qualify for residency under Article 28 at the same annual fee, subject to ministry approval.
Authorities have also expanded family coverage under Article 27 by granting fee-free residency permits to maternal uncles and aunts of Kuwaiti citizens.
However, stricter rules apply to expatriate parents under Article 29. Parents with expired residency permits must visit residency departments in person for initial renewal and pay a one-time fee of 300 Kuwaiti dinars, while subsequent renewals can be completed online at the same cost.
Officials said separate regulations are being finalised for foreign property owners and investors, who will be covered under a new residency category with its own fee structure.
The ministry stressed that all applicants must meet stricter residency requirements as part of Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to standardise and tighten immigration controls