Kuwait: Residency permits issued for the first time under article 18 (Non-governmental labour), by nationality group and sex of holder (2019-2024)

	2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			2024
	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
Arab countries	7,770	242	8,012	1,334	60	1,394	221	46	267	8,241	275	8,516	1,468	269	1,737	2,103	312	2,415
Non‐Arab Asian countries	10,589	744	11,333	1,693	147	1,840	643	47	690	12,177	913	13,090	11,669	1,303	12,972	10,296	1,376	11,672
Non‐Arab African countries	68	38	106	15	2	17	17	19	36	118	32	150	117	95	212	274	192	466
Europe	123	52	175	20	8	28	85	38	123	147	68	215	124	67	191	107	33	140
North America	321	100	421	80	25	105	119	66	185	165	62	227	257	80	337	225	60	285
South and Central America	11	8	19	4	0	4	11	2	13	38	7	45	20	7	27	25	5	30
Australia and Pacific	4	2	6	1	2	3	3	6	9	12	3	15	11	2	13	10	5	15
Other	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	18,886	1,186	20,072	3,147	244	3,391	1,099	224	1,323	20,898	1,360	22,258	13,666	1,823	15,489	13,040	1,983	15,023

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

ANNEXED NOTE

1. Definitions

Data taken from 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.
The data presented in the table are inflow data: all the non-national residents being granted a residence permit to work in the private sector,
during the given year.

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.

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.

2. Institution which provides data

Central Statistical Bureau (CSB), Ministry of Planning.

3. Period of data coverage

December 31st, given years.

4. 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: 15 July 2026.

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