Kuwait: Residency permits issued for the first time under article 20 (domestic 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 175 9 184 156 10 166 172 1 173 203 6 209 108 7 115 143 6 149
Non‐Arab Asian countries 9,797 15,496 25,293 2,613 3,111 5,724 4,069 3,711 7,780 19,537 22,827 42,364 12,111 17,996 30,107 11,717 20,000 31,717
Non‐Arab African countries 41 147 188 16 88 104 40 162 202 60 187 247 54 217 271 80 485 565
Europe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
North America 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
South and Central America 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Australia and Pacific 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 10,013 15,652 25,665 2,785 3,209 5,994 4,281 3,875 8,156 19,800 23,020 42,820 12,273 18,220 30,493 11,940 20,491 32,431

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 as domestic worker,
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: 31 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