KUWAIT CITY, Dec 22: The Ministry of Interior has announced the implementation of new executive regulations governing the residence of foreigners, in accordance with Ministerial Resolution No. 2249 of 2025, which will come into force on December 23, 2025.

The new regulations, issued as part of the Executive Regulations of the Decree-Law on the Residence of expats, introduce a series of updated rules covering residency permits, entry and visit visas, domestic workers, foreign investors, and registration requirements for foreign newborns.

Under the updated provisions, all entry visas and visit visas of all categories will be subject to a fee of KD 10 per month, marking a standardized fee structure across visa types.

The regulations also stipulate that domestic workers holding a residence permit under Article (20) are permitted to remain outside Kuwait for a period not exceeding four months. Should this period be exceeded without the sponsor applying for an official exit permit, the residence permit will be cancelled. The Ministry clarified that this provision does not apply to individuals who departed the country before the implementation date of the regulations.

In relation to expats' newborns, the Ministry has granted a four-month grace period for registration following birth. After the expiry of this period, a fine of KD 2 per day for the first month will be imposed, increasing to KD 4 per day thereafter until registration is completed.

The executive regulations also outline new conditions for issuing visas for domestic workers and similar categories, specifying that the worker’s age must not be less than 21 years and must not exceed 60 years. Entry visas in such cases will be issued upon the request of the employer.

Additionally, the regulations introduce a new residence entry visa for foreign investors, which will be issued upon the request of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), in accordance with Law No. 116 of 2013. Eligible foreign investors may be granted an ordinary residence permit for a period of up to 15 years, subject to regulations determined by the Council of Ministers and supported by an official letter from KDIPA.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the new executive regulations aim to enhance regulatory clarity, improve administrative efficiency, and align residency procedures with Kuwait’s broader legislative framework. All relevant authorities have been instructed to implement the provisions of the resolution, which will be published in the Official Gazette.