Kuwait Announces 10-Years Residency Visa for Foreigners

Kuwait offers many types of visas depending on the duration of your stay and your intended purpose of travel. One of these keys is the resident Visa offered in Kuwait. Kuwait Announces 10-Years Residency Visa for Foreigners Once you have obtained a residence visa, you can take advantage of all the advantages of residing and working in Kuwait. Kuwait has recently announced a significant change in its visa policy by offering 10-year residency visas to foreigners. This decision substantially shifts from the country’s previous visa policy, providing only short-term visas to non-Kuwaitis. It is expected to positively impact the country’s economy, social structure, and cultural diversity. This article explores the implications of this decision and its potential impact on Kuwait’s future.

The Importance of Kuwait’s Decision

Kuwait has always been a regional leader in economic and social development. However, its visa policy has been a significant obstacle to attracting foreign investment and talent. The previous visa policy only allowed foreigners to stay for a limited period, making it difficult to establish roots and contribute to the country’s long-term growth. This new policy will allow foreigners to stay longer, which will help Kuwait attract skilled workers and investors from around the world.

According to Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, the new visa policy aims to attract “investors, entrepreneurs, skilled workers, and outstanding students.” The ministry added that the policy would help “diversify the economy and strengthen Kuwait’s position as a regional hub for business and innovation.” This bold step is expected to have far-reaching implications for the country.

The Benefits of the New Visa Policy

One of the most significant benefits of the new visa policy is that it will attract more foreign investment to the country. Foreign investors will now have greater confidence in investing in Kuwait, as they will be assured of a stable and secure investment environment. This will create more job opportunities for Kuwaitis and foreigners, ultimately boosting the country’s economy. The new visa policy will also encourage skilled workers to come to Kuwait, which will help fill the skills gap in the country. This will help to improve the quality of services in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and technology. Skilled workers will also be able to transfer knowledge and expertise to Kuwaitis, which will help to promote local innovation and development. Furthermore, the new visa policy will help increase Kuwait’s cultural diversity. By attracting more foreigners, Kuwait will become a more cosmopolitan society celebrating different cultures, religions, and languages. This will enrich the country’s social fabric and promote tolerance and understanding among other communities. The Challenges of Implementing the New Visa Policy While the new visa policy is a positive step for Kuwait, it also presents some challenges. One of the main challenges is ensuring that foreigners granted the 10-year Visa comply with the country’s laws and 

Regulations. 

The Ministry of Interior has stated that the Visa will be subject to certain conditions, such as maintaining a good conduct record and being employed or owning a business in the country. Please comply with these conditions to avoid the cancellation of the Visa. Another challenge is the potential strain on Kuwait’s infrastructure and resources. The influx of foreigners may pressure the country’s healthcare system, public services, and housing market. Therefore, the government will need to invest in these sectors to ensure they can meet the needs of the growing population. Here, we examine all of the varieties of Kuwaiti residency visas and how to apply for and renew them.

What is a residence permit in Kuwait?

• You must have the Kuwait Residence Visa, or Iqama, to reside in Kuwait as an expatriate. However, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals are exempt from needing a visa to live in Kuwait.
• How long is the Kuwaiti residence permit valid
• Generally speaking, the Kuwait Resident Visa is suitable for ten years. However, a sponsor is necessary for this Visa.

Removal of the residency permit

According to recent updates, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has declared that the residency permits of foreign workers who leave the country for six months or longer will be revoked. So, anyone who left Kuwait before May 1 must return by November 1 if they don’t want their right to remain there to be withdrawn.

General prerequisites for a residence permit

For a dependent or an employee to qualify for a residence visa, the resident visa application must be signed by the sponsor. The employee must also present a medical certificate from a facility approved by the embassy. During police clearance, a good conduct certificate may be requested for some nationalities. Kuwait requires additional local medical examinations. A fingerprint certificate will be issued to finish the Kuwait residency visa application process.

The many Kuwaiti residency visa categories

The Domestic Visa, the Work Visa, and the Dependent Visa are the other three categories for the Kuwait Resident Visa. A sponsor is necessary for each of the three kinds of residence visas. Whether permitted to work or not, expatriates can sponsor their residence as long as they have adequate finances and have lived in Kuwait for a long time.

Contingent Visa

An employed Kuwaiti resident may bring their family to live with them in Kuwait with the help of the Dependent Visa, also known as the Family Visa. For instance, a guy can bring his wife and kids to live with him in Kuwait after obtaining a Dependent visa there.

Requirements

• On the Article 17 visa (for public sector employees), a person must make at least 450KD ($1496/month) to qualify.
• One must make 650KD ($2160) monthly in private-sector employment to qualify for an Article 18 visa.
• Only if both parents are employed and receiving a salary in Kuwait, with a total monthly income of more than 350KD ($1163), are they eligible to sponsor their children.
• The defendant must submit to medical examinations and have their fingerprints taken to enter the country.
• Except for the pay certificate, the defendant will also need to produce supporting documentation comparable to that provided by the sponsor.
• It is also essential for the sponsor to certify that they would sustain and support the dependant for their stay in Kuwait.
• A wife cannot support her spouse through sponsorship.
• Sons older than 21 cannot receive funding from their parents.
• The dependant visa only permits family members to work once they convert to a Kuwaiti work visa.

How can I apply for a dependent visa

• You can receive the dependant visa by performing specific actions.
• It would be best to visit a “jawazaat” agency in Shuwaikh to get a Dependent visa for a family member.
• After then, the application must be completed in Arabic. In contrast, if someone is not fluent in Arabic, they can engage a multilingual typist.
• Documents are necessary
• Many documents must be sent after the application form has been filled out. These papers are listed below:
• Passport photocopy for the dependant.
• The sponsor’s compensation certificate.
• Civil ID copy for the dependant.
• The sponsor’s embassy in their home country authenticates the marriage or birth certificate.

Internal Visa

The full-time domestic helper of a resident expatriate employed or sourced from a nation outside Kuwait may be eligible for the Domestic Visa, a form of residence visa. Since foreign nationals are frequently permitted to bring a full-time domestic helper to Kuwait, a Visa is offered.

Requirements

• The domestic helper’s maximum age range is 20 to 50 years.
• To engage a female domestic worker, a male sponsor must be married.
• There is no minimum salary requirement if both the sponsor husband and wife are employed and if there are children in the sponsor family.
• Immediate family members and relatives of any degree of consanguinity are not eligible for the domestic Visa.
• The documentation and passport images needed for the domestic assistant visa must be presented once in Kuwait.
• The residence cost for the helper is KD200.00 for the first year and KD10.00 for each additional year.

How can I apply for a domestic visa?

• It would be best to visit a “jamaat” agency in Shuwaikh to get a domestic visa.
• After then, the application must be completed in Arabic. In contrast, if someone is not fluent in Arabic, they can engage a multilingual typist. The standard fee for bilingual typists is 500 fils.
• The domestic assistant for whom the domestic Visa is being issued must travel to their home country’s Kuwaiti embassy.

Documents are necessary

The following documents must be submitted to obtain a domestic visa.

• Wage statements for the sponsor and their wife
• A photocopy of the lease for the home.
• A photocopy of the sponsor’s passport and that of their wife.
• Kids-proofed by age (photocopy of local birth certificates or tickets).
• A photocopy of the sponsor’s and their wife’s civil identification.
• Eight passport-sized pictures and a photocopy of the domestic helper’s passport are required.
• A copy of the employment contract for the domestic helper.
• Work Permit
• Employees in the private or public sectors are given a specific sort of residence visa, known as an Iqama or work visa. According to articles 17 and 18 of the immigration regulations, the Visa is granted.

Requirements

The employee must first accept the job offer when applying for a Kuwait Resident Visa on a Work Visa.

• The employee’s passport.
• The General Administration of Criminal Investigation at the Ministry of Interior has issued a NOC or no objection certificate.
• A Kuwaiti employer sponsor must request the issuing of a work permit from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour.
• Let’s say the worker accepts a job offer while on a visit visa to Kuwait. When the employee departs Kuwait and returns on the new entry visa, they will then be entitled to apply for a residence visa based on a work visa.
• Most nationalities are typically required to travel back to their home country for medical examinations and approval from the embassy of Kuwait in that nation.
• Documents are necessary
• For the employee’s passport.
• The General Administration of Criminal Investigation at the Ministry of Interior has issued a NOC or no objection certificate.

How can I get a work visa

1. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send a copy of the work permit to the Kuwaiti Embassy, where the employee resides, for approval.
2. A copy of the work permit must be sent to the employee by the sponsor or employer so they can take it to the embassy.
3. The employee must apply for a Kuwait entrance visa.
4. NOCs and a copy of the employer’s authorized signatory as registered for business purposes are required by employees of private sector enterprises.
6. The sponsor must submit the work permit and NOC to the Ministry of the Interior to obtain an entrance visa if the employee resides in a nation without a Kuwaiti embassy.
7. How much does a visa for residence in Kuwait cost?
8. An actual home application costs 10K annually. However, the cost may change based on several circumstances.

The following fees apply for a residence visa when family or dependents are involved

• For the first year, the cost for a private sector employee’s wife and first two children is 100KD per person. However, the price for any more children of the employee will be 200KD per child.
• For the first year, the charge for a public sector employee’s wife and two children is 10 KD per person. However, additional children will incur costs of 100 KD per child.
• In any situation, the renewal charge is 10KD for the wife and kids.
• The cost for the sponsor’s parents and in-laws is 200KD per person.

Can I renew a Kuwaiti residence visa

As of June 23, 2021, the government announced that ex-pats left stranded outside Kuwait due to the COVID-19 outbreak can now renew their residence visas so long as their passports are still valid for at least a year and their employers are okay with them returning. Via the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Visa can be renewed. However, the sponsor or company representative must submit the renewal application online.

Conclusion

Kuwait’s decision to offer 10-year residency visas to foreigners is a game-changer for the Gulf state. It will attract more foreign investment, skilled workers, and students to the country, which will help to diversify the economy and promote innovation. The new visa policy will also increase the cultural diversity of Kuwait and encourage tolerance and understanding among different communities. However, implementing the new policy will present challenges, such as ensuring compliance with the country’s laws and regulations and investing in infrastructure and resources. Overall,