Kuwait Gives 10-Year Free Residency To Former Citizens

Kuwait has introduced a new residency policy offering up to 10 years of fee-free stay for individuals who previously held Kuwaiti citizenship but had it withdrawn.

• New residency policy offers up to 10 years of fee-free stay
• Applies to individuals who previously held Kuwaiti citizenship
• Established under Ministerial Decision No. 1410 of 2026

Who Is Eligible For The New Policy

The policy was established under Ministerial Decision No. 1410 of 2026 and published in the official gazette Kuwait Al Youm, taking effect in early September 2026. The mandate was issued by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah to amend the executive regulations of the Foreigners Residency Law. Under the new Article 7-bis, eligibility is restricted to two groups: individuals whose Kuwaiti nationality was withdrawn under Clause 4 of Article 13 of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 1959 and who have since obtained or returned to a foreign nationality, and their dependents who were included in the same withdrawal decree and possess a foreign nationality. This measure does not restore citizenship but provides a structured residency path for those living in the country as foreigners.

Benefits And Family Sponsorship Rules

Benefits for eligible individuals include 10-year residency, an exemption from annual fees, and the right to work in Kuwait, subject to conditions set by the Director General of Residency Affairs. Additionally, these residents are exempt from the standard regulation that limits time spent outside Kuwait to six consecutive months. Family members, including spouses, children, and parents, may join at a reduced annual fee of KD 10 per person, while other relatives may be sponsored for KD 300. Domestic workers under these families are subject to the same rates applied to Kuwaiti households.

Updates To Absence Rules And Application Steps

The decision also updates absence rules for other groups, including children of Kuwaiti women, property owners, and investors under Law No. 116 of 2013, while imposing a four-month limit for domestic workers absent from the country. Applicants are advised to monitor official Interior Ministry and Sahel application channels for documentation requirements, which typically include proof of the withdrawal decree, current foreign citizenship, and passport details. This policy shift follows the conclusion of automatic visit-visa and leave-permit extensions that expired on September 1, 2026.