Kuwait Announces 15-Year Residency Permits for Foreign Investors, Families

Kuwait has announced a new long-term residency plan allowing eligible foreign investors and their families to obtain residency permits of up to 15 years, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s investment climate and supporting economic diversification.

The announcement was made on Monday, June 15, as part of wider efforts to position Kuwait as a leading regional destination for foreign investment.

Under the new framework, residency permits of up to 15 years will be available to qualified foreign investors, their immediate family members, accredited senior executives, and approved partners linked to investment entities operating in Kuwait.

To qualify, investors must meet several conditions, including ownership of investment entities licensed by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). They are also required to maintain active business operations in Kuwait, comply with prescribed quotas for employing Kuwaiti nationals, and invest in approved activities with a minimum capital of KD1 million.

In addition, entities licensed under the scheme must maintain an overall investment value of at least KD5 million.

The long-term residency is expected to offer greater stability for international investors seeking to establish or expand operations in Kuwait, while supporting the country’s broader push for economic diversification and high-value investments.

According to the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the initiative is aligned with Kuwait’s leadership vision to transform the country into a more attractive financial and commercial hub and enhance its regional competitiveness.

The framework has been approved under Cabinet Resolution No. 651 of 2026 and developed in coordination between the Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Residency Affairs and KDIPA.

Officials said the policy builds on Law No. 116 of 2013 on the promotion of direct investment and reflects ongoing efforts to improve Kuwait’s legal and regulatory environment for foreign investors.

The new visa regime places Kuwait among a growing group of Gulf states offering long-term residency pathways to attract global capital, talent and business commitments.

The UAE’s Golden Visa

The UAE’s Golden Visa programme, launched in 2019, has been a regional benchmark for long-term residency schemes. It offers eligible investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, scientists, students, creatives and humanitarian contributors residency of up to 10 years.

The visa allows holders to live, work and study in the UAE without a national sponsor, and to sponsor their immediate family members.

The programme has played a significant role in attracting global talent and investment, helping strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading destination for business and innovation in the region.

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