Kuwait has announced a new legal residency pathway for people who used to have Kuwaiti citizenship but had it taken away, along with their family members. Ministerial Decision No. 1410 of 2026 was signed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah and published in the official gazette Kuwait Al Youm in the first week of September 2026. This adds a new Article 7-bis to the executive regulations of the Foreigners Residency Law.
- New residency pathway for individuals with withdrawn citizenship and their family members
- Must have already acquired or returned to an original foreign nationality with a valid passport
- Granted ordinary residency for up to 10 years with zero fees
- Exempt from the standard six-month continuous absence rule
Kuwait has set strict rules for who can apply for this new status.
Eligibility is limited to individuals whose Kuwaiti citizenship was revoked under Clause 4 of Article 13 of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 1959, and their dependants named in the same withdrawal decree. A mandatory condition for applicants is that they must have already acquired or returned to their original foreign nationality, as the residency requires a valid foreign passport. The decision, dated 2 September 2026, became effective upon publication.
Qualified individuals receive specific perks under the new rules.
Qualified individuals are granted ordinary residency for up to 10 years with a fee of zero. Holders of this status are permitted to work in Kuwait under regulations established by the Director General of the General Department of Residency Affairs and are exempt from the standard six-month continuous absence rule that typically affects ordinary expat residencies. For family joiners, such as spouses, children, fathers, and mothers, the fee is set at KD 10 per person per year, while other relatives are charged KD 300 per person per year. Domestic workers for these families are subject to the same fee structure as those for Kuwaiti households but are restricted to a four-month overseas absence cap unless granted prior permission.
This policy provides a residency framework for those impacted by citizenship withdrawals earlier in 2026, effectively transitioning former citizens into legal foreign residents without restoring their citizenship. It is distinct from the Golden Visa program and does not apply to the general expatriate population. Property owners and investors under Law 116/2013 and children of Kuwaiti mothers remain under their existing separate absence exemptions.
Applications should be directed to the General Department of Residency Affairs via official channels, including Sahel and Ashal digital services. Applicants are advised to provide their withdrawal decree, a new foreign passport, and relevant family documentation.
