Converting a Visit into a Residence.. Under Conditions

A security source confirmed that converting visit visas to residence permits (under Articles 17, 18, 20, 22, and others) is not available to all entrants, nor does it currently cover all nationalities. He noted that approval for conversion requires meeting specific criteria and obtaining consent from the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Director General of the General Directorate of Residency Affairs. Additionally, certain categories require approval from the senior leadership of the Ministry of Interior.

The source stated that large numbers of entrants had applied to residency affairs departments across Kuwait’s six governorates, mistakenly believing the decision applied to everyone. He confirmed the rejection of hundreds of applications for failing to comply with the ministerial decision.

He clarified that the conversion of visit visas to residence permits is divided into two categories. The first category applies to individuals who meet the conditions for family reunification, with a minimum monthly salary of 800 Kuwaiti dinars. These individuals are permitted to bring their wives and male children under 18, and female children under 21, provided they pay the conversion fee of 150 dinars, purchase health insurance, and obtain stamps for a residence permit under Article 22.

The second category covers entrants who do not meet the salary or university degree requirements. These individuals may bring children under the age of five, provided their wives are already residing in the country. They may also benefit from the recent ministerial decision, provided their wives hold a valid residence permit in the country that expired less than a year ago. In such cases, the husband may bring his wife and pay the aforementioned fees. The source emphasized that approval falls under the authority of the Director General of Residency Affairs.

The source further confirmed that it is not possible to convert a visit visa into a work residence permit under Article 18, whether for wives or children. He noted that converting a visit visa to a work residence permit is limited to visits issued by government entities, authorities, or public institutions, provided the applicants hold higher academic qualifications and specialized technical skills, as well as domestic workers and those in similar categories.

Additionally, individuals who entered Kuwait on a work entry visa, initiated the residency application process, and then left involuntarily and remained abroad for no more than one month, are permitted to re-enter on a commercial visit visa and convert it into a work residence permit.

For further details:

For wives, daughters under 21, and sons under 18, the salary requirement is 800 dinars.

“Al-Anbaa” publishes the categories permitted to convert visit visas to residence permits.

A security source confirmed that converting visit visas into residence permits (under Articles 17, 18, 20, 22, and others) is not available to all entrants, nor does it currently cover all nationalities. He noted that approval for such conversion requires meeting specific criteria and obtaining consent from the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Director General of the General Directorate of Residency Affairs. Additionally, certain categories require approval from the senior leadership of the Ministry of Interior.

The source stated that large numbers of entrants had applied to the Residency Affairs departments in Kuwait’s six governorates, mistakenly believing the decision applied to everyone. He confirmed that hundreds of applications were rejected for not complying with the ministerial decision, while others were asked to await approval or rejection.

The source emphasized that residency departments in the six governorates process applications based on the residential address registered in the residence permit. These departments review the applications, verify their compliance with the ministerial decision, and forward them to the Director General via electronic correspondence.

He clarified that the conversion of visit visas into residence permits is divided into two categories. The first category applies to individuals who meet the conditions for family reunification, specifically those with a minimum monthly salary of 800 Kuwaiti dinars. These individuals are permitted to bring their wives and sons under the age of 18, and daughters under the age of 21, provided they pay the conversion fee of 150 dinars, as well as health insurance and residence stamp fees.

The second category covers entrants who do not meet the salary and university degree requirements. These individuals may bring children under the age of five, provided the wife is already residing in the country. They may also benefit from the recent ministerial decision if the wife holds a valid residence permit that expired less than a year ago; in this case, the husband may bring her in and pay the aforementioned fees. The source confirmed that approval for such cases falls under the authority of the Director General of Residency Affairs.

The source stressed that it is not possible to convert a visit visa into a work residence permit under Article 18, whether for a wife or children. Converting a visit visa into a work residence permit is limited to visits issued by government entities, authorities, or public institutions, provided the applicants hold higher academic qualifications and specialized technical skills, as well as domestic workers and those in similar categories. In cases where their residence permits expire, sponsors may issue a visit visa for them and convert it into a residence permit.

Furthermore, individuals who entered Kuwait on a work entry visa, initiated the residence permit process, but were forced to leave and remained abroad for no more than one month, may re-enter on a commercial visit visa and convert it into a work residence permit.

The source noted that commercial visit visas can only be converted under specific conditions and with the approval of the senior leadership of the Ministry of Interior.

He reiterated that all cases are subject to the discretion of the Director General of the General Directorate of Residency Affairs and the requirements of the labor market.