Kuwait Relaxes Requirements for Residency Visa Under Certain Conditions

Kuwait has recently announced significant modifications to the regulations governing the acquisition of regular residency visa for family members. Deputy Prime Minister Fahd Al Yousef has spearheaded changes to specific provisions in the executive regulations of the Expats’ Residence Law.

Under the revised Article 29, individuals applying for a dependent or family visa are required to have a minimum monthly salary of KD800, possess a university degree, and engage in a profession relevant to the visa application. However, for certain professions, the degree requirement has been eliminated.

Additionally, a noteworthy exemption has been introduced for individuals aged 0-5, born either in Kuwait or abroad, whose parents reside in Kuwait. These individuals are exempted from the salary requirement, subject to the approval of the Director General of the General Administration of Residence Affairs.

The implementation of this decision falls under the purview of the acting Undersecretary, as specified in the second article of this revision. The amendment takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The following professions are now exempted from the university degree requirement:

1. Advisors, judges, prosecutors, experts, and legal researchers in the government sector.
2. Medical professionals, including doctors and pharmacists.
3. University, college, and higher institute professors.
4. School administrators, vice principals, education mentors, teachers, social workers, and laboratory attendants in the government sector.
5. Financial and economic advisors in universities.
6. Engineers.
7. Imams, preachers, and muezzins in mosques.
8. Librarians in government agencies and private universities.
9. Ministry of Health staff, including nurses, paramedics, medical technicians, and social service workers.
10. Social workers and psychologists in the government sector.
11. Journalism, media professionals, and correspondents.
12. Sports coaches and athletes in federations and clubs.
13. Pilots and flight attendants.
14. Professionals overseeing burial preparations and services.