Non-Kuwaiti population by migration status and country of citizenship of holder (2011) (some nationalities)

	Migration Status				TOTAL
Country of citizenship	Worker	Family member	Student	Other resident
ARAB COUNTRIES
Iraq	4.441	10.596	0	341	15.378
Syria	57.239	73.141	2	1.619	132.001
Lebanon	18.724	23.066	0	521	42.311
Jordan	19.864	32.641	3	647	53.155
Palestine	3.391	4.471	0	186	8.048
Egypt	320.892	128.272	13	8.414	457.591
Other Arabs	13.288	10.894	41	406	24.629
Total Arab nationalities	437.839	283.081	59	12.134	733.113
OTHER COUNTRIES
Iran	26.313	16.700	9	771	43.793
Philippines	130.692	7.360	33	1.879	139.964
Pakistan	93.718	26.981	32	1.900	122.631
India	550.943	86.705	18	9.629	647.295
Bangladesh	183.174	6.932	7	5.427	195.540
Sri Lanka	105.120	4.020	21	1.669	110.830
Other nationalities	180.760	23.338	586	5.707	210.391
TOTAL ALL NATIONALITIES	1.708.559	455.117	765	39.116	2.203.557

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. tables 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

 

b- 2011′ data is tabulated in MoI’ 2011 Statistical Yearbook, in Chapter “Immigration statistics” (not available online). The volume may be directly obtained from MoI.