Kuwait Introduces KD150 Fee for Converting Visit Visas into Residency Permits

ISLAMABAD (Special Correspondent): Kuwait has introduced a new fee of KD150 for converting visit visas into residency permits, with the revised regulations taking effect immediately following their publication in the country’s Official Gazette.

According to Gulf News, the new measure has been introduced through amendments to the executive regulations of Kuwait’s Foreigners’ Residency Law. The changes were issued under Ministry of Interior Decision No. 1091 of 2026 and published in the official gazette “Kuwait Alyawm”, making the new fee and related provisions effective.

Under the revised rules, eligible applicants seeking to convert a visit visa into a residency permit will be required to pay KD150. However, domestic workers and certain equivalent categories have been exempted from the new fee.

Under Kuwaiti law, the conversion of a visit visa into a residency permit is permitted only in specific cases and is subject to approval by the General Directorate of Residency Affairs, along with compliance with all applicable legal requirements.

The Ministry of Interior has directed all relevant authorities to ensure the immediate implementation of the new regulations. Officials said the move is aimed at improving the efficiency, transparency and overall management of Kuwait’s residency and immigration system.