Kuwait raises visa fee hike to curb illegal entry

The State of Kuwait has announced the most extensive overhaul of its residency and visa regulations in recent years, with the aim of regulating the labor market.

The new guidelines have been published in the official gazette. An essential approach of this strategy is a hike in visa fees and the reshaping of the rules governing how foreign workers enter and operate in the country.

The prime changes have been made to introduce higher visa fees, rigorous standards, and new long-term residency options positioned at enhancing policy reforms.

Pivotal steps have been taken to prevent the misuse of visas and residency permits

The revised plan is specifically designed not to yield additional government revenue, but to put in place legal protections to prevent visa tampering.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef stated that new revelations are designed to implement labor market policy and support broadened demographic reformations.

The new developments introduce a fixed fee across all major categories.

Fees for dependents

• The fee for spouses and children of government or private sector employees is KD20.
• The fee for dependents of investors, property owners, and religious workers is KD 40.
• The fee for dependents of self-sponsored residents is KD 100.

Kuwait has introduced prolonged residency, captivating the attention of long-term investors and provided stability to specific groups as follows.

• The 15 years is exclusively granted to foreign investors complying with the conditions of Kuwait's foreign investment law.
• A residency permit for up to 10 years is available to children of Kuwaiti women and to stateless persons who own property in Kuwait.
• The maximum duration for most standard habitations under Articles 17 and 18 for up to 5 years.

Kuwait’s recent announcement regarding the visa free hike serves as a crucial measure to achieve demographic stability and regulate the labor market by expressing reservations for entry.