Kuwait Sets Entry and Visit Visa Fees at KD10 Per Month Under New Residency Rules

Kuwait has rolled out a fresh set of residency rules, and the headline change is simple. Entry and visit visas now cost KD10 per month. The new fee structure took effect on December 23 and applies across several visa categories.

The update comes under the executive regulations of Kuwait’s Decree Law on the Residence of Foreigners, according to local media reports.

Why Kuwait Changed the Rules

According to the Kuwait Interior Ministry, the goal is clarity. Authorities want to streamline residency procedures, remove confusion around fees, and apply the same rules across different visa types.

The regulations cover visitors, residents, investors, employers, and domestic workers.

How the Monthly Visa Fee Works

Kuwait now charges KD10 for each month of your entry or visit visa. If your visa is valid for three months, you pay KD30. The total fee depends only on the length of stay approved.

Long-Term Residency for Investors

Foreign investors now have a clearer pathway. Entry and residence visas for investors will be issued only after a formal request from the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority.

Eligible investors can apply for ordinary residency permits valid for up to 15 years. Approval depends on conditions set by the Council of Ministers and confirmation from KDIPA that all requirements are met.

In short, a long-term stay is possible, but only through official channels.

Rules for Birth Registration and Fines

The regulations also address birth registration for foreign families living in Kuwait. Parents now get a four-month grace period to register a newborn. If someone missed that window, fines kick in:

• KD2 per day during the first month after the grace period
• KD4 per day for delays beyond that

It is a clear reminder to complete paperwork early.

Tighter Rules for Domestic Workers

Domestic workers are now covered by more detailed rules.

To qualify, workers must be between 21 and 60 years old. Entry permits will be issued only at the employer’s request, coordinated with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

There are also limits on time spent outside Kuwait. Domestic workers with residency permits can stay abroad for up to four months. After that, the permit expires unless the sponsor applies for an official absence permit.

This rule does not apply to domestic workers who left Kuwait before the new regulations came into force.

What This Means for Travellers and Residents

Kuwait is clearly tightening and simplifying its residency system at the same time. Fees are now predictable. Rules are written more clearly. And different groups, from short-term visitors to long-term investors, know exactly where they stand.

For anyone planning to travel, work, or invest in Kuwait, these changes simplify the system but leave little room for mistakes if you miss deadlines.