Kuwait Introduces Landmark Residency Reforms

  • 29/11/2024

The Amiri decree 114/2024 regarding the residency of foreigners was promulgated on Thursday, comprising 36 articles organized into seven chapters. This new decree supersedes the previous decree 17/1959, which had been in force for sixty years, in order to rectify legislative deficiencies and respond to contemporary challenges.


The initial chapter addresses the arrival of foreign nationals in Kuwait, emphasizing the requirement for individuals to hold a valid passport or an official document issued by their home country's authorities for entry and exit. Foreign individuals seeking to obtain residency in Kuwait must obtain residency permits from the MoI. The second chapter requires residents to inform the appropriate authorities of any births that occur within Kuwait. The third chapter delineates the regulations pertaining to residency. The fourth chapter specifies severe penalties for trafficking in residency and associated offenses, which are strictly forbidden in Kuwait. The provisions of the fifth chapter grant the Ministry of Interior the authority to issue deportation orders for foreign nationals, including those with valid residency permits, under certain conditions.

Related News