1. Entry, Exit & Duration Restrictions
Tourist visits: Restricted to 3 months, but extendable to 1 year by Ministry approval.
Residency/work permits: Now limited to 5 years for most expats. Some groups (children of Kuwaiti women, real estate owners) receive 10‑year, and investors can be eligible for up to 15‑year residency.
Domestic workers abroad: Prohibited to remain overseas >4 months without previous authorization.
2. Sponsor Obligations & Fraud Crackdown
Your sponsor must:
Notify authorities if your visa has expired or if you have overstayed.
Report passport loss/damage within two weeks.
Ensure no sponsorship or job role mismatches occur.
Strict penalties: Both sponsors and agents face up to KD 10 000 fines and criminal charges for visa trading, illegal sponsorship, or non-payment of wages.
3. Violations & Fines
Expats and sponsors face serious consequences for breaches like overstaying, illegal work, or visa fraud, including:
Expats: Maximum 3 years in prison and KD 3 000 fines for unlawful entry or overstaying.
Sponsors: Maximum 5 years prison + KD 10 000 for trafficking or visa trading offenses.
4. Family Sponsorship & Education Requirements
Eligibility for family visa:
Increased minimum wage from KD 550 to KD 800, along with a university degree requirement for sponsors.
Kuwaiti women sponsoring non-Kuwaiti spouse/children can be granted up to 10‑year residency.
Exit Permits & Visa Transfers
Exit permits: Expats need these to exit. Delays or blocked files—such as from cancelled work permits—can hold up departure until cleared.
Article 17 → Article 18 (govt to private sector) transfers are freely permitted now.
Dependent visas (Article 22) can be changed to work visas but with the sponsor’s approval and process may be complicated.
What These Mean for Expats
Adhere to the new limits, reporting deadlines, and family sponsorship requirements to dodge fines/penalties.
Clear all outstanding debts (debts, traffic fines) prior to applying for renewal or exit.
If changing jobs/sectors, utilize official avenues for visa transfers—consult your HR or a lawyer.
Inform sponsor if changing visa status, overstaying, or passport/loss details are modified.
