Investor Residency (long-term, up to ~15 years)

Overview

Under the 2025 reform, Kuwait introduced a long-term residency tier for foreign investors holding a valid investment licence under the Foreign Capital Investment Law (Law No. 116 of 2013), reported as available for up to around 15 years. It is reviewed case by case, and the authorities have not fixed a published minimum investment figure - so any amount you read elsewhere is indicative. Crucially, this is long-term renewable residence, not permanent residence: Kuwait does not grant permanent residence or citizenship to expatriates, and the residency remains conditional and fixed-term. The framework is administered through the Ministry of Interior alongside the relevant investment authorities. Always confirm the current rules and any thresholds on the official Ministry of Interior page.

Eligibility

Application pathway

1. 01

   Check the route fit

   Confirm you hold (or can obtain) a valid investment licence under Law No. 116 of 2013 and understand the residency is renewable, not permanent.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Gather your investment licence, supporting investment documents, passport and health insurance.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Apply for the long-term investor residency through the Ministry of Interior alongside the relevant investment authorities.

4. 04

   After approval

   Receive the long-term residency, maintain the qualifying licence and health insurance, and renew before expiry as required.

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Compare State of Kuwait with

• 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
• 🇸🇦 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• 🇶🇦 State of Qatar

Related routes

• Property-Owner Residency (long-term, up to ~10 years)

  For foreign nationals who own qualifying real estate in Kuwait, who can be granted residency of up to around 10 years. As with every Kuwaiti residency, this is renewable fixed-term residence, not permanent residence.

• Article 18 Work Residency (private-sector Iqama)

  For people taking a private-sector job in Kuwait. Your Kuwaiti employer sponsors you and the residency (the Iqama) is tied to that job. Note up front: Kuwait has no permanent residence for expatriates, and every residency here is fixed-term and sponsor-tied.