Kuwait Implements Major Increases in Residency and Visa Fees Under New Regulations

Nov 24, 2025 - 14:17

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Kuwait Implements Major Increases in Residency and Visa Fees Under New Regulations

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry has announced a wide-ranging revision to residency and visa fees, introducing higher charges and updated conditions for expatriates. According to the newly published by-laws, the minimum monthly salary required to sponsor a spouse and children is now set at KD800, while the fee for sponsoring non-immediate family members such as parents and siblings has increased to KD300 per year.

Under the new fee structure, all visit visas, including tourism, family visits, work entry, and residency entry, will carry a flat fee of KD10. These visas may now be renewed once for the same duration and can be converted into residency under specific conditions. Additionally, parents of newborns will have up to four months to complete residency stamping, extending the previous deadline.

Standard residency renewal fees for government employees, private-sector workers, foreign students, clergymen, and similar categories have doubled to KD20 annually. Bedouns possessing another nationality fall under the same rule. Residency charges for foreign investors and property owners (Articles 19 and 21) are set at KD50, while the newly introduced self-sponsored residency (Article 24) carries a significantly higher fee of KD500 per year.

Dependent fees also saw major adjustments: KD20 for dependents of government and private-sector workers or students, KD40 for dependents of investors and property owners, KD100 for dependents of self-sponsored residents, and KD300 up from KD200 for parents and other non-immediate family members. Children of naturalised Kuwaiti women will pay KD20, while children of Kuwaiti women by birth remain exempt.

Temporary residency under Article 14 will cost KD10 per month with domestic workers paying KD5 applying to both initial issuance and extensions. Foreign residents cancelling their residency and preparing to depart Kuwait must also pay KD10 per month during their departure period. Temporary residency may be issued for those leaving the country, visitors requiring additional time, or individuals in emergencies, with validity up to three months and renewals allowed for up to one year.

Residents seeking authorization to remain outside Kuwait for more than the standard six-month limit must now pay a KD5 monthly fee.