Kuwait: Significant Expansion of Family Visa Eligibility Following Resumption of Program
February 7, 2024
Country / Territory
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At a Glance
- Effective January 28, 2024, Kuwait has significantly expanded the scope of eligibility for family visas, and now includes the spouses and children of a wide range of skilled foreign nationals residing in Kuwait (subject to education and minimum salary requirements).
- Since December 2022, the country has been progressively reopening family visa options, after wholly suspending the pathway in August 2022.
- These changes are likely to make employee attraction and retention easier, with eligible foreign workers now able to ensure that certain close family members can reside in Kuwait.
The situation
Effective January 28, 2024, Kuwait has significantly expanded the scope of eligibility for family visas, and now includes the spouses and children of a wide range of skilled foreign nationals residing in Kuwait (subject to education and minimum salary requirements).
A closer look
- Eligibility. Foreign nationals residing in Kuwait can now apply for a Family Residence Visa on behalf of their spouse and any of their children below the age of 18, provided that the principal applicant:
- submits a university-level degree which corresponds to their field of work in Kuwait. However, certain professions (including engineering, media, medicine, and higher education roles) may not need to submit a degree as part of any family visa application;
- has a minimum salary of at least KD 800 (approximately USD 2,600) up from KD 550 (which was the minimum salary level prior to the program’s suspension in 2022). However, subject to the approval of the Director General of the General Administration of Residence Affairs, this minimum salary requirement may be waived where the principal applicant is applying on behalf of a dependent child (age 0-5) and both parents (the principal applicant and their spouse) are residing in Kuwait.
- Limits. A principal applicant’s other family members, including their parents and siblings, are currently not eligible for inclusion under a family visa application.
- Validity. The Family Residence Visa is a renewable multiple-entry visa that allows dependents to reside in Kuwait for up to three years.
- Work rights. The Family Residence Visa does not provide work rights. Instead, in order to work, Family Residence Visa holders must obtain a separate work permit/residence permit under their employer’s sponsorship.
- Processing. The standard government processing time for this visa is approximately three to five business days. However, given potentially high current demand for this visa, processing times may be temporarily longer.
- Application process. Family residence visa applicants must first enter Kuwait on an entry visa, and then have two months to complete the family residence visa process.
Impact
These changes are likely to improve employee attraction and retention, with eligible foreign workers now able to ensure that certain close family members can reside in Kuwait.
Background
In August 2022, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior suspended the issuance of family residence visas as part of a broader restructure of the country’s immigration regulation framework. Since then, the country has begun partially reopening family residence pathways in a sequential fashion. First, in December 2022, Kuwait resumed issuing family residence visas for young children (age 0-5) in select circumstances. Then, in September 2023, Kuwait resumed the issuance of family residence visas for the spouse and children (boys under the age of 15; and girls under the age of 18) of principal applicants working as medical staff in the Ministry of Health.
Looking ahead
It is currently unclear whether Kuwait will look to further expand family visa pathways in the near future. We will continue to monitor developments.
This policy change fits a broader trend of Kuwait reducing immigration restrictions. This includes a new liberalized immigration framework which was finalized in December 2023 and is expected to be approved in 2024.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
