Kuwait has announced a significant update to its residency framework by creating long-term residency options for foreign investors. Under the newly issued Executive Regulations of the Residence of Foreigners Law, qualifying investors can obtain residency permits valid for 10 years or 15 years, depending on the type of investment. This marks the first time Kuwait has offered structured long-term residency pathways tied to investment activity.
New Residency Categories for Investors
Kuwait’s updated regulations outline two main investment routes for long-term residency.
Real Estate Investors
Foreign nationals who purchase property in Kuwait may qualify for a 10-year residency permit. Authorities will evaluate each application individually, and the regulations do not specify a minimum property value requirement.
Business and Direct Investment Route
Foreigners who establish or participate in businesses that meet Kuwait’s direct investment rules may qualify for a 15-year residency permit. This category is linked to existing investment legislation that requires compliance with approved sectors and economic criteria.
One of the notable features of the new system is that there is no fixed minimum investment amount stated in the regulations. Each case is assessed based on the substance and credibility of the investment.
How Kuwait Fits Within the Regional Residency Landscape
With this reform, Kuwait joins the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council in offering long-term residency options to investors. Other countries in the region already offer multi-year permits to attract foreign capital, and Kuwait’s move brings it in line with these regional trends. The introduction of defined 10-year and 15-year investor residency tracks represents a major policy shift for a country that historically maintained a more restrictive residency system.
Part of a Broader Residency Reform
The investor residency categories are part of a larger update to Kuwait’s overall residency structure.
Several points are confirmed in the new regulations and recent official briefings:
- Standard residency permits for the general expatriate workforce will continue, often with validity of up to five years.
- The new long-term permits apply specifically to qualifying investors under the real estate and direct investment categories.
- The updated regulations take effect on December 23, 2025.
While wider media reports mention changes to visa fees and rules for dependents and domestic workers, the published legal text primarily focuses on defining residency categories and their permitted durations.
Implications for Foreign Investors
The introduction of long-term investor residency provides foreign investors with a level of stability that was previously unavailable in Kuwait. The 10-year and 15-year permit options offer predictability for individuals who plan to invest in property or participate in business activities within the country. Since the regulations do not set a fixed minimum investment threshold, they allow authorities to evaluate proposals based on substance rather than value alone.
For global investors who compare residency pathways across the Gulf region, Kuwait is now positioned as a more competitive option within the investment residency landscape.
