Kuwait: Holders of article 24 residence permits (self-sponsorship) by nationality group and sex (2019-2022)

  2019 2020 2021 2022
  Males Females Total Males Females Total Males Females Total Males Females Total
Arab countries 835 965 1,800 826 996 1,822 821 1,068 1,889 693 1,029 1,722
Non‐Arab Asian countries 190 280 470 184 278 462 194 299 493 168 284 452
Non‐Arab African countries 4 7 11 4 10 14 4 14 18 3 13 16
Europe 35 26 61 33 23 56 35 24 59 40 23 63
North America 46 22 68 50 22 72 55 27 82 50 21 71
South and Central America 11 5 16 10 5 15 10 6 16 12 6 18
Australia and Pacific 8 6 14 9 6 15 9 6 15 5 5 10
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1,129 1,311 2,440 1,116 1,340 2,456 1,128 1,444 2,572 971 1,381 2,352

Source: Central Statistical Bureau, Migration Statistics Bulletin, given years.

 

ANNEXED NOTE

 

  1. Definitions

 

Ministry of Interior’s (Directorate of Migration’s) annual records of residency permits granted to foreign residents by type/ purpose of permit, sex and regional origin of holder.

Data presented in the table are stock data: non-national residents holding a residence permit on December 31st, the given year (residencies delivered for the first time a given year+residencies renewed that year).

The present figures include permits delivered for the purpose of residing in Kuwait, as a self-sponsored resident.

Self-residence permit: Expatriates may sponsor themselves under article 24 of the regulations and obtain a residence for two to five years under several conditions, among which: being aged 60 and more, having worked no less than 25 years in Kuwait, owning a capital of 10,000 KD at least; holding a certificate of good conduct, effectively reside in Kuwait, etc.

This form of residence can be renewed upon expiry. Self-sponsored expatriates may sponsor their wives and children.

 

Residency procedures do not apply to GCC nationals and to Bidouns (stateless residents of Kuwait).

The table thus excludes the Bidouns, the non-Kuwaiti GCC citizens and those in irregular situation.

 

  1. Institution which provides data 

 

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), Ministry of Planning.

 

  1. Period of data coverage

 

December 31st, given years.

 

  1. Data availability 

 

The present data is taken from the “Migration Statistics” reports, published annually by the CSB.

The report (in Arabic and English, PDF format with Excel tables) is available on CSB’s website (Population Statistics, then Migration Statistics)

https://www.csb.gov.kw/Pages/Statistics_en?ID=56&ParentCatID=1

https://www.csb.gov.kw/Pages/Statistics?ID=56&ParentCatID=1

 

Date of access: April 2023.

 

GLMM and GRC cannot guarantee that the link to access the source will not change; that the information will not be removed from the website it was obtained from; that no geo-blockages will be imposed; or that the information will not be available for any another reason.

 

Keywords: Kuwait, Foreign Population, Employment, Legal Document, Residence Conditions, Sponsorship, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania