Non-Kuwaiti population by migration status and country of citizenship of holder (2009) (some nationalities)

	Migration Status				TOTAL
Country of citizenship	Worker	Family member	Student	Other resident
ARAB COUNTRIES
Iraq	4.559	10.597	0	339	15.495
Syria	57.535	72.387	2	1.191	131.115
Lebanon	20.216	22.779	3	347	43.345
Jordan	19.020	30.588	7	489	50.104
Palestine	0	0	0	0	0
Egypt	311.815	111.058	18	4.126	427.017
Other Arabs	15.622	13.879	29	406	29.936
Total Arab nationalities	428.767	261.288	59	6.898	697.012
OTHER COUNTRIES
Iran	29.700	16.545	7	547	46.799
Philippines	101.770	6.769	32	1.281	109.852
Pakistan	100.579	25.613	27	1.214	127.433
India	513.301	76.504	15	5.234	595.054
Bangladesh	199.111	7.351	3	2.149	208.614
Sri Lanka	96.325	3.706	14	1.373	101.418
Other nationalities	165.144	22.481	529	3.610	191.764
TOTAL ALL NATIONALITIES	1.634.697	420.257	686	22.306	2.077.946

Source: Ministry of Interior

 

 

ANNEXED NOTE

 

1. Definitions and data collection method

 

The migration status is inferred from the distribution of expatriates by type of residence permits they hold as of December 31st, the given year (cf. table in files MOV 2.3).

 

Workers are holders of permits n°17 (governmental labor), 18 (non-governmental labor); 19 (business) and 20 (domestic help).

Family members are holders of a dependent permit: spouse, children or elderly dependent relatives can join visa holder (sponsor) in Kuwait, if the expatriate has obtained a residency and is earning a minimum of KD250 a month (private and governement sector alike).

A working wife cannot sponsor her husband as a dependent. Also, sons over the age of 21 years cannot be sponsored as dependants, though adult daughters and parents may be permitted. Dependent family members are not allowed to work on a Dependent Visa, unless they transfer it into a work visa under Kuwaiti sponsorship. This can be done only after 6 to 12 months of holding a dependent visa.

Every children including new born babies must hold a residency permit. The application for the infant’s residence must be made within 60 days of the birth

The Dependent Visa holder is permitted to stay as long as the sponsor holds a valid visa.

Students are holders of a study visa

Other residents are holders of:

 

* Temporary permit: An expatriate may be granted temporary residence under article 14 of the immigration regulations in special cases where he does not need or cannot get ordinary residence.

This allows the expatriate to stay for up to one year, for personal emergencies such as illness, or after resignation from employment in order to settle financial affairs or a court case.

* 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 10000 KD at least; being able to produce a certificate of good conduct, being effectively residing in Kuwait with his/her family, 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.

The bidoun, a stateless population, are not included in the residency documents holders.

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

 

2. Institution which provides data

 

Ministry of Interior

 

3. Period of data coverage

 

December 31st, given years

 

4. Data availability

 

2009′ data is published in MoI’ 2009 Statistical Yearbook, in Chapter “Immigration statistics”, available online at: http://www.moi.gov.kw/portal/varabic/statistics/stats.htm

Last date of access: September 3rd, 2013.