Khaberni - Kuwait has launched a new legislative system for long-term residence, enabling qualified foreign investors and their dependents to obtain residence extending up to 15 years, in a step considered the first of its kind in the country's journey aimed at enhancing its investment attractiveness at regional and international levels.
The legal framework and legislative reference
The new rules were published in the official gazette, under the Cabinet’s decision number 651 for the year 2026, related to the licensing requirements and controls for foreign investors covered by the provisions of Law No. 116 of 2013 concerning the promotion of direct investment.
Under this framework, the General Department of Residency Affairs at the Ministry of Interior can grant an investor residence permit for 15 years, based on a recommendation from the Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), to those who meet the specific conditions and criteria.
The benefiting categories
The decision defines the categories eligible to benefit from this residence as follows:
Owners of licensed investment entities, partners, executive directors, and senior officials endorsed by the Direct Investment Promotion Authority, as well as their immediate family members including spouses, parents, and children, are entitled to obtain residence permits that extend up to 15 years.
Mandatory conditions and criteria:
First: The financial and investment requirements
It is required that the total investment of the qualified entities is not less than 5 million Kuwaiti dinars (approximately 16.3 million US dollars), and the capital must not be less than one million Kuwaiti dinars, with proof of capital deposit within Kuwait.
Second: The operational and employment requirements
The companies seeking investment residence must prove the existence of an actual operational presence within the country, and comply with the employment requirements including the quotas for employing Kuwaiti citizens set by the Direct Investment Promotion Authority in coordination with relevant entities.
Third: The documentary and personal requirements
Applicants must provide a certificate of good conduct free from criminal records, and a valid passport for at least six months from the date of application submission, as any application containing falsified information or forged documents will be rejected immediately and may subject the applicant to legal accountability.
The mechanism for submitting applications and making decisions
The government has ensured to simplify the approval procedures, as the Direct Investment Promotion Authority is required to issue its decision within five working days from receiving a complete application. However, the official entities have the authority to request additional information, and applications are automatically rejected if the applicants do not respond within 30 days.
Renewal and continuity conditions
The residence permits are subject to ongoing compliance requirements, and investors wishing to renew must submit their applications at least 60 days prior to the expiry, with proof of continuing their business activities in compliance with all legal, financial, and operational conditions.
This model places Kuwait alongside other regional countries like the Saudi Arabia Premium Residency program and the UAE Golden Visa, making it an attractive choice for long-term settlement.
These transformations are part of a broader strategic orientation towards reducing reliance on oil and diversifying national income sources, and enhancing Kuwait's status as an active regional financial and commercial center attracting capital and expertise from around the world.
