If you’re planning to work in Kuwait, the first thing you need to understand is how the country now handles work-based residency. As part of a broader effort to cut down paperwork, clarify visa rules, and make renewals less stressful, Kuwait has rolled out a new set of visa and residency guidelines that directly affect foreign workers.
At the centre of this process is Kuwait’s work residence visa, commonly known as Iqama. An iqama is the legal authorisation that allows foreign nationals to live and work in the country. It is usually issued through employer sponsorship.
The recent reforms focus on residency duration for both longer residency and temporary, passport requirements, and visa fees. The changes apply across several categories, including Iqama, family, business, tourist, and domestic worker visas.
Here is all you need to know:
Longer Residence Permits
The biggest highlight of the new reform is the extension of residence permit durations, which are no longer capped at five years. Residency periods have now increased from five years to between 10 and 15 years, depending on your status.
That is, if you are an investor, you can now qualify for residence permits valid for up to 15 years. Children of Kuwaiti women and property owners can receive permits lasting up to 10 years. That said, the changes do not apply uniformly to everyone. For most high-demand talent working in the public or private sectors, the standard five-year residency remains in place.
As with many immigration reforms, the changes come with higher and more clearly defined costs. While Kuwaiti authorities have clarified several aspects of the new implementation, visa and residency fees have also been increased.
- Residence permits now cost KWD 20 ($65) per year, up from KWD 10 ($33)
- Investors and property owners will pay KWD 50 ($164) per year
- Self-sponsored residents will pay a higher fee of KWD 500 ($1,635) per year
Alongside residency rules, the new framework also sets income requirements for family sponsorship, allowing expatriates earning at least KWD 800 ($2,616) per month to sponsor spouses and children, with exemptions for certain categories.
Kuwait Updates Temporary Residency Rules and Fees
Then there’s also a revised fee for temporary residence permits. Temporary residency is typically granted for three months and can be renewed for similar periods, up to a maximum of one year, for individuals preparing to leave Kuwait permanently.
Most temporary permits now carry a monthly fee of KWD 10 ($33), while domestic workers pay KWD 5 ($16) per month. The same KWD 10 ($33) applies when extending temporary residency, and foreigners who cancel their residency and plan to leave the country must also pay this fee during the departure period.
Plus, a monthly fee of KWD 5 ($16) is required for permission to remain outside Kuwait beyond the standard six-month limit.
Dependent and Family Sponsorship Fees
Under the new reforms, expatriates or foreign talent who wish to bring in dependents must earn a minimum monthly salary of KWD 800 ($2,616), with an annual residency fee of KWD 20 ($66) for spouses and children.
Meanwhile, dependents of self-sponsored residents are required to pay a minimum of KWD 100 ($325) per year. In cases where you want to bring in other dependents, such as parents, you have to pay an annual fee of KWD 300 ($981) per person, up from the previous KWD 200 ($654).
Requirements and Key Documents for Iqama
Before applying for an Iqama, there are several key requirements you need to prepare and fulfil. This includes:
- Getting ready your Valid Passport (At least six months validity under the new reform).
- Employment Offer or Contract, either from a Kuwait-based company or government entity.
- A clean bill of health (Medical Exam)
- Police clearance certificate from your home country for a criminal record check.
- Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Criminal Investigation Department.
Step-by-Step Application Process for Residency in Kuwait
If you’re a foreign national entering Kuwait, you want to complete all residency procedures within two months of arrival on a valid entry permit. To apply, you need a passport with at least six months of validity, as residency duration is no longer linked to passport expiration.
Step 1. Receive and Accept a Job Offer
The process begins once you receive and accept an employment offer from a Kuwaiti employer.
Step 2. Employer Applies for a Work Permit
Your employer submits a work permit application to the Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour (MSA&L), and if the job is in the private sector, the employer must secure an NOC from the Criminal Investigation Department.
Step 3. Work Permit Issued and Sent to Employee
Once the MSA&L approves the work permit, the employer sends a copy to the employee in their home country. This copy must then be submitted to the Kuwaiti Embassy for endorsement. After endorsement, the employee can apply for an entry visa.
Step 4. Entry Visa Issuance
The entry visa allows you to travel to Kuwait and is a prerequisite for starting the residency application process.
Step 5. Medical Examination Upon Arrival
After arriving in Kuwait, employees must undergo a medical examination that includes a chest X-ray and blood tests for HIV/AIDS, among others. Employees found to have any communicable disease are subject to immediate deportation.
Step 6. Apply for the Residency Permit (Iqama)
All expatriates must complete fingerprinting and security clearance through the Ministry of Interior (MOI), after which they submit an application for the residence permit at the Immigration & Passport Department in Shuwaikh. Standard expatriates' permits are granted for up to five years and cost KWD 20 ($65) per year, up from the previous KWD 10 ($33).
Louis Eriakha
