Kuwait: 15-Year Investor Residency Permit Eligibility Rules Announced

The situation 

Kuwait has announced the eligibility rules for its recently implemented 15-Year Investor Residency Permit, allowing the scheme – which provides long-term residence to individuals who are associated with an investing entity in Kuwait – to now take practical effect.  

A closer look 

The new eligibility rules are: 

• Investment entities. Investment entities must be companies (including branches of foreign companies) established and operating in Kuwait which were incorporated for the purpose of direct investment. The investment entity must hold a valid investment license issued by Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority to conduct business activities from within Kuwait. The investment entity must comply with the required Kuwaitization quotas. 

• Investment rules. The investment entity must have an investment value of at least KWD 5,000,000. Additionally, there must also be at least KWD 1,000,000 of paid-up capital deposited into the investment entity’s bank account, which must be in Kuwait.   

• Eligible individuals. Owners of the investment entity, partners, directors, senior management, and their family members (parents, spouses, children) are eligible for the residency permit. They must have no criminal records and a passport with at least six months validity.  

Impact 

The Investor Residency Permit seeks to enhance Kuwait's attractiveness as an investment destination by providing up to 15 years of long-term residency to eligible foreign nationals. These clarifications provide a clearer roadmap for eligibility and related rules. 

Background 

The Investor Residency Permit was originally introduced under Law No. 116 of 2013, setting out the conditions for granting residency permits to foreign investors, with its residency period extended to 15 years in January 2026. However, eligibility details were not announced in that period, meaning the permit was not available in a practical sense. The latest rule changes mean the permit has now come into practical effect.  

Looking ahead 

In a separate set of reforms, development of the “GCC Grand Tours” Unified Tourist Visa – a tourist visa granting foreign nationals access to all GCC Member States, including Kuwait – continues at pace. Current expectations are for the visa to potentially be launched in 2026. We will report on related developments.    

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.