Children of Kuwaiti Women Granted 10-Year Residency Under New Law
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Kuwait Introduces Comprehensive New Residency Law
The Assistant Undersecretary for Residency and Citizenship Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, Major General Ali Al-Adwani, has announced the implementation of a new foreign residency law aimed at aligning with modern developments and addressing long-standing issues. Speaking on the “60 Minutes Program”, he explained that the previous law had been in effect for over six decades with only minor amendments. The updated law introduces significant changes, including adjustments to residency periods and enhanced provisions for specific groups, such as children of Kuwaiti women, who are now eligible for a renewable ten-year residency with fee exemptions.
Under the law, these children are also exempt from losing their residency if they stay abroad for more than six months for medical or educational reasons, provided they have not acquired Kuwaiti citizenship under Article 8 of the Nationality Law. Major General Al-Adwani emphasized the government’s directives to make residency processes more accessible while ensuring accountability. Since the introduction of the family visit visa in March, only four violations have been recorded, leading to deportations of the individuals and their sponsors. The family visa duration has been extended to three months, and the minister now has authority to determine and revise associated fees.
Key Highlights of the New Law
Issued by Amiri decree on November 28, the new residency law includes 36 articles across seven chapters and will take effect within six months of its publication in the official gazette. The law addresses gaps in the previous framework, enhances rights for residents and workers, and aligns with international human trafficking standards. It introduces justice for migrant workers, combats visa trading through strict penalties, and regulates the relationship between employees and employers.
The law permits foreigners to obtain regular residency for up to five years, with new incentives for investors and property owners. Property owners can receive a ten-year residency, while foreign investors are eligible for a 15-year residency to encourage investment.
Strict Measures Against Residency Violations
Article 17 grants the Minister of Interior the authority to set fees for residency, renewals, and entry visas, ensuring these align with residents’ incomes and service types. Major General Al-Adwani emphasized that visa trading is strictly prohibited, and violators face severe penalties. Facilitating the recruitment or renewal of expatriates for unauthorized purposes or financial gain is illegal. Employers must not use expatriates for purposes other than their original recruitment, nor can they refuse to pay legitimate dues without justification.
Violators face imprisonment of three to five years and/or fines between KD 5,000 and KD 10,000, multiplied by the number of offenses. Repeat offenders or public employees involved in violations face doubled penalties. Expatriates working without permission or those housing individuals without valid residency also face legal consequences.
Enhanced Digital Services and Worker Protections
The updated law allows sponsors to bring domestic workers back after four months (reduced from six months). Sponsors must provide proof of salary payments and fulfill other obligations to ensure fairness. The Kuwait Visa website is also being upgraded to streamline online visa applications and approvals. Major General Al-Adwani highlighted the government’s focus on digital transformation for all residency-related services and emphasized the importance of compliance to avoid legal repercussions.
The comprehensive new residency law aims to balance the needs of Kuwait’s citizens and residents while strengthening the nation’s regulatory framework.