Kuwait has enacted sweeping reforms to its residency regulations, drastically altering the conditions for foreign nationals residing in the country. Temporary residency has been limited to three months, with the option for extensions not exceeding one year. Regular residency durations have also been defined, with eligibility for up to five years for most expatriates, 10 years for children of Kuwaiti women and property owners, and 15 years for investors.
Violations of residency rules carry severe consequences. Breaches of temporary or regular residency laws may result in a prison term of up to one year and fines of KD1,200 (approximately $3,900), while violating visit residency rules is punishable by up to one year in prison and a KD2,000 fine.
Crackdown on Residency Permit Abuse
A draft law proposes harsher penalties for the illegal trade of residency permits, with offenders facing up to five years in prison and fines of KD10,000. If the violator is a state employee committing the offense within the scope of their duties, the penalties will be doubled.
Domestic Worker Regulations
Specific rules apply to domestic workers, who are now prohibited from staying outside Kuwait for more than four months unless prior permission is obtained from the Interior Ministry. Failure to comply will result in the revocation of their residency rights.
Illegal Entry and Employment Violations
Illegal entry into Kuwait will be penalized with three years in prison and a fine of KD3,000. Additionally, employing a foreign worker without proper authorization or failing to pay their dues will incur fines of KD10,000 and up to two years in prison.
Reporting Obligations
Hotel and furnished apartment managers must notify the Interior Ministry within 24 hours of a foreign guest’s arrival and departure. Expatriate residents are required to present their passports or equivalent identification upon request and report any loss or damage within two weeks. Non-compliance with these deadlines is punishable by a KD2,000 fine.
Pending Implementation
While these measures have been approved by the Kuwaiti government, they await formal ratification by Emir Meshal Al Ahmad to become law. The Emir dissolved the legislature earlier this year, introducing a temporary suspension of certain constitutional provisions for up to four years.
Nationwide Crackdown on Violations
In recent months, Kuwait has intensified its crackdown on iqama trafficking and unlawful expatriate workers, detaining thousands as part of a broader effort to address systemic abuses within its residency framework.
These new laws underscore Kuwait’s commitment to tightening residency policies while addressing labor violations and ensuring compliance with national regulations.
