Kuwait has announced significant changes to the regulations governing family residency acquisition. Deputy Prime Minister Fahd Al Yousef revised provisions in the Expats’ Residence Law, specifying new criteria for dependent or family visa applicants.
Applicants must now have a minimum monthly salary of KD800, a university degree, and a profession relevant to the visa. However, certain professions are exempt from the degree requirement.
Notably, children aged 0-5, born in Kuwait or abroad, with parents in Kuwait, are exempt from the salary requirement, subject to the Director General of the General Administration of Residence Affairs' approval.
The decision, effective upon publication in the Official Gazette, delegated implementation responsibility to the acting Undersecretary.
Here are the occupations that are not subject to the university degree prerequisite:
- Advisors, judges, prosecutors, experts, and legal researchers in the government sector.
- Medical professionals, including doctors and pharmacists.
- University, college, and higher institute professors.
- School administrators, vice principals, education mentors, teachers, social workers, and laboratory attendants in the government sector.
- Financial and economic advisors in universities.
- Engineers
- Imams, preachers, and muezzins in mosques.
- Librarians in government agencies and private universities.
- Ministry of Health staff, including nurses, paramedics, medical technicians, and social service workers.
- Social workers and psychologists in the government sector.
- Journalism, media professionals, and correspondents.
- Sports coaches and athletes in federations and clubs.
- Pilots and flight attendants.
- Professionals overseeing burial preparations and services.
