10 years: Imprisonment for those whose licenses were revoked
The official gazette, “Kuwait Today,” published the Ministry of Interior’s Decision No. 1410 of 2026, amending certain provisions of Ministerial Decision No. 2249 of 2025 concerning the executive regulations of the Decree-Law on the Residency of Expatriates.
The decision introduces a new Article 7 bis, authorizing the issuance of ordinary residency permits for a period not exceeding ten years to individuals whose Kuwaiti citizenship was revoked by decree, as well as those who acquired Kuwaiti citizenship through dependency under Article 13, Paragraph 4 of Amir’s Decree No. 15 of 1959, provided they have reverted to their original foreign nationality or acquired another nationality.
The decision empowers the Director General of the General Directorate of Residency Affairs to determine the necessary conditions and regulations for granting and renewing such residency, in addition to permitting them to work in the State of Kuwait in accordance with the regulations set by the Directorate.
The decision also amended Article 37 regarding the duration of stay outside the country, stipulating that an expatriate holding a residency permit may not remain outside Kuwait for more than six months. Exceptions apply to expatriates who are children of Kuwaiti women who did not acquire Kuwaiti citizenship through dependency from marriage to a Kuwaiti national, property owners, investors who obtained residency under the conditions specified by the Council of Ministers in accordance with Law No. 116 of 2013, and those who obtained residency under Article 7 bis of this decision.
An expatriate holding a residency permit may be granted permission to stay outside the country for a period exceeding six months, subject to the conditions and regulations determined by the General Directorate of Residency Affairs, provided that their residency remains valid.
Regarding domestic workers, the decision stipulates that they may not remain outside Kuwait for more than four months unless they obtain prior permission for absence from the General Directorate of Residency Affairs before the expiration of this period; otherwise, their right to the issued residency permit shall be forfeited.
For further details: Individuals who have reverted to their original foreign nationality or any other nationality are permitted to work in Kuwait in accordance with the regulations established for this purpose. A ten-year residency permit without fees is granted to those whose citizenship has been revoked and their dependents.
A decision by the Ministry of Interior, No. 1410 of 2026, was published in the Official Gazette, “Kuwait Al-Yaum,” amending certain provisions of Ministerial Decision No. 2249 of 2025, which constitutes the Executive Regulations of the Decree-Law on the Residence of Expatriates. The amendment introduces a new article, numbered (7 bis), permitting the issuance of ordinary residence permits for a period not exceeding ten years to individuals against whom a decree has been issued stripping them of their Kuwaiti nationality, as well as those who acquired such nationality through dependency, provided they have reverted to their original foreign nationality or any other nationality. It also amends Article (37) concerning the duration of stay outside the country and adds paragraphs to Article (39), which governs fees. The decision takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
The text of the decision is as follows:
Article One: A new article, numbered (7 bis), is added to the aforementioned Ministerial Decision No. 2249 of 2025, with the following text: “Ordinary residence permits may be issued for a period not exceeding ten years to individuals against whom a decree has been issued stripping them of their Kuwaiti nationality, and to those who acquired such nationality through dependency in accordance with the provisions of Item (4) of Article (13) of the aforementioned Emir’s Decree No. 15 of 1959, provided they have reverted to their original foreign nationality or any other nationality. The Director General of the General Administration of Residence Affairs shall be responsible for determining the conditions and controls required to grant and renew such residence permits, and to authorize them to work in the State of Kuwait in accordance with the controls specified for this purpose.”
Article Two: Article (37) of the aforementioned Ministerial Decision No. 2249 of 2025 is amended to read as follows: “An expatriate holding a residence permit shall not remain outside the State of Kuwait for a period exceeding six months. Exceptions shall apply to expatriates who are children of Kuwaiti citizenship not acquired through dependency from marriage to a Kuwaiti national, property owners, those who obtained residence as investors under the provisions of Law No. 116 of 2013, subject to the controls determined by the Council of Ministers, and those who obtained residence in accordance with Article (7 bis) of this decision.
An expatriate holding a residence permit may be granted permission to stay outside the State of Kuwait for a period exceeding the aforementioned duration, subject to the conditions and controls determined by the General Administration of Residence Affairs, provided that their residence permit remains valid.
A domestic worker holding a residence permit shall not remain outside the country for a period exceeding four months, unless they obtain prior permission for absence from the General Administration of Residence Affairs before the expiration of this period; otherwise, their right to the issued residence permit shall be forfeited.”
Article Three: First: A paragraph numbered (12) is added to Item (Second: Residence Fees) of Article (39) of the aforementioned Ministerial Decision No. 2249 of 2025, with the following text:
Paragraph No. 12: Individuals who obtained residence in accordance with Article (7 bis) of this decision. They are exempt from the fee for each year.
Second: Two paragraphs, numbered (9) and (10), are added to Item (Third: Fees for Family Reunification) of Article (39) of the aforementioned Ministerial Decision No. 2249 of 2025, with the following text:
- Paragraph No. 9: Type of sponsor’s residence (Husband – Wife – Children – Mother – Father) for the following categories: Individuals who obtained residence in accordance with Article (7 bis) of this decision, and Gulf nationals against whom a decree has been issued stripping them of their Kuwaiti nationality, as well as those who acquired such nationality through dependency in accordance with the provisions of Item (4) of Article (13) of the Emir’s Decree No. 15 of 1959, provided they have reverted to their original nationality. Residence fee per individual per year: (10 KWD).
- Paragraph No. 10: Type of sponsor’s residence for other relatives other than (Husband – Wife – Children – Mother – Father) for the following categories: Individuals who obtained residence in accordance with Article (7 bis) of this decision, and Gulf nationals against whom a decree has been issued stripping them of their Kuwaiti nationality, as well as those who acquired such nationality through dependency in accordance with the provisions of Item (4) of Article (13) of the Emir’s Decree No. 15 of 1959, provided they have reverted to their original nationality. Residence fee per individual per year: (300 KWD).
Third: A new paragraph is added to Item (Fifth: Fees for Domestic Workers and Those in Their Place, Article 20) of Article (39) of the aforementioned Ministerial Decision No. 2249 of 2025, with the following text: “The fees applicable to domestic workers sponsored by individuals who obtained residence in accordance with Article (7 bis) of this decision, and Gulf nationals against whom a decree has been issued stripping them of their Kuwaiti nationality, as well as those who acquired such nationality through dependency in accordance with the provisions of Item (4) of Article (13) of the Emir’s Decree No. 15 of 1959, provided they have reverted to their original nationality, shall be the same as those applied to domestic workers sponsored by Kuwaiti families.”
Article Four: The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior shall implement this decision, which shall take effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
