The Kuwaiti government has introduced new regulations concerning expatriate residency, following the approval of a draft decree-law on November 12.
These regulations are designed to regulate the entry, stay, and departure of expatriates, and impose severe penalties for violations related to residency and employment. The law highlights Kuwait’s commitment to managing expatriate residency in line with national security and public order requirements.
Key updates and penalties include:
- Expatriates must notify the Ministry of Interior within two weeks if their passport is lost or damaged.
- Hotels and providers of furnished accommodations must report the arrival or departure of foreign guests within 24 hours.
- Expatriates visiting Kuwait can stay for up to three months unless granted an extension or residency permit.
- Temporary residency permits are limited to three months but may be extended up to one year.
- Regular residency is capped at five years, with exceptions allowing up to 10 years for children of Kuwaiti women and property owners, and up to 15 years for investors.
- Domestic workers cannot remain outside Kuwait for more than four months without prior approval from the Ministry of Interior.
- Fines of up to 2,000 Kuwaiti dinars can be imposed for failure to comply with reporting requirements.
- Hotel managers and transport operators who fail to adhere to regulations may face fines up to 400 dinars.
- Expatriates must have valid travel documents and enter Kuwait through designated checkpoints.
- Expatriates must carry valid residency permits and cannot stay outside Kuwait for more than six months without prior approval.
- Sponsors are responsible for reporting any visa or residency violations.
- Unauthorized employment of expatriates or permitting them to work for others without the proper license is prohibited.
