Kuwait: Issuance of Visit, Family and Entry Visas Expected To Open by April With New Curbs and Fees
The interior ministry has reiterated that the issuance of visit, family, and entry visas will remain limited to specific categories until the National Assembly completes the approval of the new foreign residency law, after discussions with the government by the parliamentary interior and defence committee.
Security sources have clarified that this policy will not change with the replacement of former interior minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah with Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, who is now in charge while awaiting the appointment of a new minister. They said the decision was made after thorough consideration and is not tied to a specific minister.
The interior ministry is aligned with the government’s direction to open the country to visits and promote tourism, expected no later than April. New procedures will be announced for family reunion visas after amendments to previous measures. Fees will be increased to align with those in neighbouring countries.
Sources added that family reunion visas will be limited to children under 16, spouses, and parents, each with varying fees, and will exclude siblings. Those allowed to obtain such visas must have a minimum monthly salary of at least KD 600, not counting income from various sources.
On Thursday, the interior ministry started allowing residency violators living illegally in the country prior to March 1, 2020, to regularise their status after paying the prescribed legal fines. Security sources had said residency departments have begun receiving violators, who should first consult with residency affairs investigators to obtain a “no objection certificate” and then pay the fine amounting to KD 600 to complete the renewal of their residency permits. Sources, however, said if this decision is found to be ineffective, it will be officially cancelled, and violators from before 2020 will be treated similarly to other violators.
