Kuwait City: Kuwait has recorded a decline in the total number of residency law violators, despite an increase in newly registered cases, according to the latest figures released by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB).
The data shows that 11,700 new residency violations were recorded in 2025. However, the total number of residency violators in the country fell from 81,500 to 80,800, reflecting the impact of ongoing government efforts to identify offenders, regularise their status and enforce immigration laws.
The report also revealed an increase in the number of valid residency permits, which reached approximately 3.166 million by the end of 2025—an increase of about 142,000 permits compared to the previous year.
Private-sector work permits issued under Article 18 accounted for the largest share of valid residencies, followed by domestic worker visas (Article 20) and family visas (Article 22).
The number of residency cancellations also declined. In 2025, authorities cancelled 47,200 residency permits, compared with 49,700 in 2024. Most cancellations involved private-sector workers.
According to the report, the majority of new residency violations were linked to private-sector employees, followed by holders of temporary residency permits, domestic workers and family visa holders. Expatriates from Asian countries accounted for the largest share of newly recorded violations.
Officials said the figures reflect Kuwait’s continued efforts to strengthen enforcement of residency regulations while managing a growing expatriate population through stricter inspections and legal procedures.
