Arab Times, 22 December 2025: Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior will introduce comprehensive new residency rules for expatriates from 23 December 2025, aiming to streamline procedures and enforce stricter controls.

Kuwait has issued Ministerial Resolution No. 2249/2025, which brings into effect updated executive regulations under the Decree‑Law on the residence of foreigners, starting 23 December 2025. All categories of entry and visit visas will incur a standard fee of KD 10 per month.

Domestic workers must now return to Kuwait within four months or risk cancellation of their residence permit unless an official exit permit is obtained. Additionally, newborns of expatriates must be registered within four months of birth. Failure to do so will result in fines starting at KD 2 per day for the first month, increasing to KD 4 per day afterwards.

New age restrictions for domestic workers will also be enforced: sponsors can bring in workers aged between 21 and 60 only. The entry visa must be requested by the employer.

Kuwait is introducing a residence-entry visa for foreign investors under Kuwait Law No. 116/2013, administered via the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). Successful applicants may receive residence permits for up to 15 years, subject to Council of Ministers guidelines and KDIPA support.

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