In an effort to ensure that expatriate workers can adequately support their families, Kuwait’s Residence Affairs Investigations Department has launched a crackdown on holders of Article 22 family visas whose salaries have since fallen below the KD 800 per month minimum. Dozens of expatriates have been summoned under a recent ministerial decision, with each granted a one-month grace period to either restore their qualifying income or arrange for their families to return home.
Originally introduced in January 2024 under Ministerial Resolution No. 56, the rule mandates that anyone sponsoring spouses and children must earn at least KD 800 from work matching their professional qualifications. An amendment in July 2024 removed the degree requirement but retained the salary threshold, and Article 29 now authorizes family residency only for those meeting that income floor. Kuwait’s automated inter-agency systems—linking the General Directorate of Residency Affairs with traffic and labour databases—are playing a pivotal role in detecting and flagging violations and fraudulent transactions.
The Interior Ministry emphasizes that the KD 800 benchmark was set following studies on living costs to guarantee a decent standard of living. While the rule applies universally to all nationalities and educational levels, limited exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Director General of Residency Affairs for children under five or those born in Kuwait. Authorities stress that expatriates must remain compliant with visa conditions to avoid legal action and protect their families’ residency status.
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