Residency Duration No Longer Tied to Passport Validity

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 23: The executive regulations accompanying the decree on the residence of expats (issued under Ministerial Resolution No. (2249) of 2025) have clarified several key rules governing the issuance and management of regular residency permits for expatriates in Kuwait.Travel guide Kuwait

According to Article (7) of the regulations, any expats applying for a regular residency permit must hold a passport, or an officially recognized substitute document, that is valid for no less than six months from the date of application. The regulation further emphasizes that the validity period of residency is not tied to the validity of the passport, meaning residency may extend beyond the passport expiry date as long as the required conditions are met.

The article also specifies that the duration of a regular residency permit is determined strictly by the purpose for which it is granted. If the purpose ends before the residency period is completed (such as termination of employment or conclusion of studies) the residency automatically ends as well, regardless of its remaining duration.

Additionally, the new regulations allow for the transfer of residency from one category to another, or from one purpose to another. Such transfers will be granted according to the rules, conditions, and standards set by the General Directorate of Residency Affairs, enabling more flexibility for expatriates whose circumstances or legal status may change.