Kuwait eases visa, residency transfers

Kuwait has rolled out new electronic services to simplify visa and residency procedures for foreign workers, marking a key shift in how foreign residents manage their legal status in the country. The changes, implemented by the Ministry of Interior, allow online issuance, renewal and transfer of work-related residency permits and aim to reduce paperwork and office visits. The reforms are part of a wider overhaul of Kuwait’s immigration system, signed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef. Along with digital services, the updated rules introduce a structured residency framework, including long-term residency options of up to 15 years for specific categories such as investors. New e-services ease visa and residency proceduresThe new e-services for Article 18 residencies, cover most private sector foreign workers. Residents can now complete key procedures online through the Ministry of Interior’s official website. The services were developed by the General Department of Information Systems in coordination with the General Department of Residency. The reform is expected to ease long-standing difficulties faced by expatriates, especially during job changes. Digital processing now allows faster transfer of residency permits between employers and smoother shifts between residency types, such as moving from a work permit to a temporary residency. Long-term impact on foreign workers and residency rulesThese changes are expected to benefit foreign workers working across Kuwait’s civil and private sectors, where residency transfers earlier involved multiple approvals and repeated visits to government offices. The e-services are part of broader executive residency rules under Kuwait’s updated foreign residency law. These rules have also introduced fixed fees for entry and visit visas, standardised residency durations, and clearer requirements linked to employer sponsorship and health insurance. Under the new framework, entry and visit visas are priced at KD 10 per month. Residency permits for investors, property owners and long-term residents can be issued for periods extending up to 15 years in specific cases. Health insurance is now mandatory for all foreign residents and visitors and must align with the visa or residency category. The Ministry of Interior’s digital push reflects Kuwait’s effort to modernise government services by moving core immigration processes online and reducing administrative delays for expatriates.