Kuwait: Residence permits by purpose and type of permits (2015-2022)

Purpose of permits Reference number of permits Type of permits 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
work 17 Governmental sector permits 107,710 109,714 110,245 107,657 105,970 100,189 96,803 97,880
18 Private sector permits 1,293,578 1,373,378 1,442,608 1,531,234 1,547,205 1,384,336 1,248,735 1,414,443
19 Business 383 369 359 360 354 358 601 773
20 Domestic work 651,386 666,422 677,592 707,061 731,376 667,350 591,368 753,165
residence 22 Dependent permits 536,326 544,150 540,904 541,630 541,830 525,659 499,537 520,654
23 Study 630 865 861 869 814 684 508 632
24 Self-residence permits 2,263 2,297 2,386 2,444 2,440 2,456 2,572 2,352
Total residencies 1 year and more 2,592,276 2,697,195 2,774,955 2,891,255 2,929,989 2,681,032 2,440,124 2,789,899
Temporary residence 14 Temporary residence n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 70,624 65,407 80,177 48,714
Total residencies   n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 3,000,613 2,746,439 2,520,301 2,838,613

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: all the non-national residents holding a residence permit on December 31st, the given year. 

 

The present figures include permits delivered for all purposes of stay in Kuwait:

1- Labour in all sectors: governmental sector (n°17); private sector (n°18); business (freelance) (n°19) and domestic sector (n°20)

2- Residence: as family dependent (permit n°22); studies (n°23) and self-residence (n°24).

 

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.

The number of holders of permit n°14 (temporary residents) is not available before 2019. 

 

Dependent permit: spouse, children or elderly dependent relatives can join visa holder (sponsor) in Kuwait, if the expatriate has obtained a residency and meets the salary requirements.

A working wife cannot sponsor her husband as a dependent. Sons over the age of 21 years cannot be sponsored as dependents, though adult daughters and parents may be permitted. Dependent family members are not allowed to work on a Dependent Visa.

Every foreign resident including new-born babies must hold a residency permit.

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.

Permits 17, 18, 19 and 20 are only granted after Ministry of Labour issues a work permit.

 

  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, Family Reunification