The long-term residency permit is expected to offer greater certainty for international investors looking to establish and expand their businesses in Kuwait.
Under the new visa rule, residency permits of up to 15 years will be available to eligible foreign investors, their immediate family members, accredited senior executives, and approved partners linked to investment entities operating in Kuwait.
Who is eligible for Kuwait’s 15-year investment visa?
Eligible investors must meet specific conditions set by authorities, including ownership of investment entities licensed by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority.
Applicants are required to maintain active business operations within Kuwait, comply with quotas for employing Kuwaiti nationals, and invest in approved activities with a minimum capital of KD1 million. In addition, entities licensed under the framework must sustain an investment value of at least KD5 million.
The long-term residency permit is expected to provide greater certainty for international investors seeking to establish and expand their businesses in Kuwait, while also supporting economic diversification and attracting high-value investment.
Transforming Kuwait’s Economy
According to the Ministry of Interior, the new residency framework aligns with Kuwait’s leadership vision to position the country as a competitive financial and commercial hub, while strengthening its regional investment appeal.
The initiative follows the approval of a new regulatory framework under Cabinet Resolution No. 651 of 2026. It was developed in coordination between the Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Residency Affairs and the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority.
Officials said the reform builds on the objectives of Law No. 116 of 2013 on direct investment promotion and reflects ongoing efforts to improve Kuwait’s legal and regulatory environment for foreign investors.
The policy places Kuwait among a growing number of Gulf countries offering extended residency options aimed at attracting global talent, capital, and long-term business commitments.
The UAE’s Golden Visa
The UAE’s UAE Golden Visa, introduced in 2019, has been a regional benchmark for long-term residency schemes. It grants eligible expats, investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, scientists, outstanding students, creatives, and humanitarian contributors residency for up to 10 years.
The programme allows holders to live, work, and study in the UAE without a national sponsor, while also enabling them to sponsor immediate family members. It has played a key role in attracting global talent and investment, helping position the UAE as a leading destination for business, innovation, and long-term residency in the region.
