Kuwait has restarted the issuance of expat family visas, allowing residents to apply to sponsor their spouses and children.
The Ministry of Interior announced the reopening of applications for family visas across the country on January 28, following new terms and standards.
The decision, directed by Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, is in accordance with ministerial decree No. 56 of 2024, which establishes updated regulations for granting entry permits for family reunions.
To be eligible for the Kuwait family visa, expats must meet specific criteria, including a minimum salary of KD800 ($2,600), possession of a university degree certificate, and employment in the field corresponding to their academic qualification.
However, recent reports suggest certain professions, such as advisors, judges, medical professionals, educators, journalists, and others, are exempt from the degree certificate requirement.
Family visas for expats were halted approximately two years ago as part of efforts to regulate the country’s population and demographics.
The suspension included specific conditions, such as minimum salary and employment criteria. Notably, parents of children under the age of five are exempt from the salary requirements.
