Kuwait Sets Entry and Visit Visa Fees at KD10 Per Month Under New Regulations

Kuwait has set the cost of entry and visit visas at KD10 per month under newly issued executive regulations governing the residence of foreigners, according to local media reports. The updated rules came into force on Tuesday, December 23, as part of broader efforts to regulate residency procedures and standardise fees.

The changes were introduced under Ministerial Decision No. 2249/2025, issued within the executive regulations of the Decree Law on the Residence of Foreigners. The Ministry of Interior said the measures are designed to clarify obligations and provide a more structured framework for residents, investors, and employers.

In a statement posted on X, the Interior Ministry confirmed that entry and residency visas for foreign investors covered under Law No. 116/2013 will be issued upon request from the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). Ordinary residency permits for eligible foreign investors may be granted for periods of up to 15 years, subject to approval by the Council of Ministers and confirmation from KDIPA that all conditions have been met.

The executive regulations also introduce a four-month grace period for registering the births of foreign nationals. After this period, fines will apply, starting at KD2 per day during the first month and increasing to KD4 per day thereafter.

New provisions governing domestic workers have also been outlined. Under the updated rules, domestic workers must be between 21 and 60 years old. Entry permits are issued at the request of the employer and in coordination with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

Domestic workers holding residency permits under Article 20 are allowed to remain outside Kuwait for a maximum of four months. If this period is exceeded, the residency will be cancelled unless the sponsor submits a formal request for an absence permit. This provision does not apply to domestic workers who left Kuwait before the regulations came into effect.

The Ministry of Interior said the new measures aim to enhance regulatory clarity, streamline administrative processes, and ensure consistency across Kuwait’s residency system while safeguarding the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved.