Kuwait 10-year residency is now available as a potential new legal residency route for certain people whose Kuwaiti citizenship was withdrawn, following a new Ministry of Interior decision published in Kuwait’s official gazette.
Ministerial Decision No. 1410 of 2026 amends the executive regulations of the Foreigners’ Residency Law and introduces a new Article 7 bis. The provision allows eligible individuals to receive ordinary residency for a period of up to 10 years.
The decision also introduces an exemption from annual residency fees for people covered by the new category and changes rules concerning time spent outside Kuwait.
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What Is Kuwait’s New 10-Year Residency Rule?
The new framework was introduced through Ministerial Decision No. 1410 of 2026, issued by Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah.
The decision amends Ministerial Decision No. 2249 of 2025, which contains the executive regulations of Kuwait’s Foreigners’ Residency Law.
It was published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm and took effect from the date of publication.
For official information from Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, readers can also refer to the ministry’s published updates regarding nationality and residency matters. Kuwait Ministry of Interior
Who Is Eligible for Kuwait 10-Year Residency?
The new Article 7 bis applies to a specific category of people.
Under the decision, ordinary residency may be granted to individuals whose Kuwaiti citizenship was withdrawn through a decree under Clause 4 of Article 13 of Amiri Decree No. 15 of 1959.
The provision also covers people who acquired Kuwaiti citizenship through dependency and were included in the relevant withdrawal decree.
However, there is an important condition: eligible individuals must have returned to their original foreign nationality or obtained another nationality.
This means the provision is not a blanket 10-year residency for everyone who has lost Kuwaiti citizenship. Eligibility depends on the specific circumstances covered by Article 7 bis and the conditions established by the General Department of Residency Affairs.
Residency Can Last Up to 10 Years
One of the most significant parts of the new rules is the potential duration of the residency permit.
Eligible people may receive ordinary residency for a period of up to 10 years.
However, the wording is important: the regulation allows residency for up to 10 years; it does not mean every eligible applicant will automatically receive a 10-year permit.
The Director General of the General Department of Residency Affairs is responsible for determining the conditions and controls for granting and renewing this residency category.
Annual Residency Fees Are Waived
Another major benefit is the exemption from annual residency fees.
People who receive residency under Article 7 bis are listed as exempt from the annual residency fee under the amended fee schedule.
This makes the new category different from many ordinary foreign-residency arrangements in Kuwait, where annual residency charges generally apply.
The exemption applies to the qualifying Article 7 bis residency holder, while separate fees can apply to family members.
New Rules for Staying Outside Kuwait
The decision also changes rules governing how long certain foreign residents can remain outside Kuwait.
Generally, foreign residents cannot remain outside the country for more than six months.
The amended rules create exemptions for several categories, including:
- Certain foreign children of Kuwaiti women
- Property owners in Kuwait
- Certain investors holding residency under Law No. 116 of 2013
- People holding residency under the new Article 7 bis
This means Article 7 bis residents are specifically included among those exempt from the standard six-month absence restriction.
Other residents may also obtain permission for a longer absence if they meet conditions established by the General Department of Residency Affairs and maintain a valid residency permit.
What About Family Members?
The new rules also establish specific residency fees for immediate family members of people holding Article 7 bis residency.
A fee of KD10 per person per year applies to certain immediate family members, including:
- Spouse
- Children
- Father
- Mother
For other relatives outside these categories, the fee is KD300 per person per year.
The KD10 rate also applies to the immediate family of a Gulf national whose Kuwaiti citizenship was withdrawn under the relevant provision and who subsequently returned to their original nationality.
This provides a relatively low-cost family residency route compared with the higher fee applicable to other relatives.
Can Eligible Residents Work in Kuwait?
The new provision also addresses employment.
The Director General of the General Department of Residency Affairs may authorize Article 7 bis residents to work in Kuwait according to controls and conditions that will be established.
This is an important aspect of the new framework because it means the residency category is not limited solely to physical residence.
However, work authorization is subject to the applicable controls. Eligible individuals should therefore check the requirements issued by the relevant Kuwaiti authorities before beginning employment.
Domestic Worker Rules
The decision also addresses domestic workers sponsored by people covered by the new residency provisions.
Domestic workers sponsored by Article 7 bis residents will be subject to the same fees applied to domestic workers sponsored by Kuwaiti families.
Domestic workers also have a separate absence rule.
A domestic worker with Kuwaiti residency generally cannot remain outside Kuwait for more than four months unless an approved longer absence is obtained before the four-month period expires. Without the required permission, the right to the residency permit can lapse.
Why the New Residency Framework Matters
The introduction of Article 7 bis creates a distinct legal residency pathway for a group affected by citizenship withdrawals.
The key changes include:
| Rule | New provision |
|---|---|
| Maximum residency | Up to 10 years |
| Annual fee for Article 7 bis holder | Exempt |
| Six-month absence rule | Article 7 bis holders exempt |
| Work | May be authorized under applicable controls |
| Spouse/children/parents | KD10 per person annually |
| Other relatives | KD300 per person annually |
| Domestic workers | Fees aligned with those for Kuwaiti families |
The framework therefore provides greater residency stability for qualifying individuals who have returned to their original nationality or obtained another nationality.
It also gives authorities a specific mechanism for determining residency and employment conditions rather than leaving affected individuals without a clearly defined long-term residency category.
What Applicants Should Know
People who believe they qualify should not assume that citizenship withdrawal automatically results in a 10-year residency permit.
The decision establishes that residency may be granted, while the General Department of Residency Affairs determines the detailed conditions and controls for granting and renewing the permits.
Applicants should therefore:
- Confirm that their citizenship withdrawal falls under the relevant legal provision.
- Confirm that they have returned to their original nationality or obtained another nationality.
- Check the latest requirements issued by Kuwait’s residency authorities.
- Confirm the documentation required for their specific case.
- Check employment authorization requirements if they intend to work.
- Confirm family residency procedures and applicable fees.
For official updates, applicants should rely on Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior and official government publications rather than unofficial social-media posts. Kuwait Ministry of Interior updates
Final Takeaway
Kuwait’s new 10-year residency framework represents a significant change for certain people whose Kuwaiti citizenship was withdrawn.
Under Article 7 bis, qualifying individuals may receive ordinary residency for up to 10 years, while their own annual residency fee is exempt. They are also exempt from the normal six-month absence restriction, and work authorization can be granted subject to official controls.
The rules also establish KD10 annual residency fees for immediate family members and KD300 for other relatives covered by the relevant family provisions.
The decision is now in force following publication in Kuwait’s official gazette. However, because the detailed granting and renewal conditions are determined by the General Department of Residency Affairs, anyone potentially covered should verify the latest requirements directly with the Kuwaiti authorities before taking action.
