I just read on gulfnews.com that expats are now eligible up to 15 years. The 15 years requires expats to be investors and although they don’t mention the details I’d imagine it’s not for us normal folks. But, the article also mentions that certain expats can receive up to 10 years residency. The article doesn’t mention how just the following:
Up to 10 years for select categories
While standard residency permits may be issued for a maximum of five years, the regulations allow certain groups of expatriates to receive residency of up to 10 years, subject to meeting specific conditions set by the authorities.
Does anyone know what the conditions are to get the 10 year visa? Link
9 replies on “Kuwait approves long-term residency up to 15 years”
This articles was slightly more clear
https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/expats-in-kuwait-eligible-for-5-to-15-year-residency/
10 years for children of Kuwaiti women (non-naturalized I believe) and 15 years for foreign investors.
Normal folk can still get 5 years which is not bad tbh
the article by arab times says expats who own real estate in kuwait… since when are expats allowed to own real estate?
All rich Arab expats living in kuwait own their own real estate … (rich = KWD 20MM+).
Any expat can apply once a year, and many get approved within a few years. Most that are approved usually don’t have a homeland to return to (Palestine, Syria till a few years ago…).
To be frank why would an expat buy a starter house that costs USD 3MM in Kuwait when they can buy 10ish houses overseas.
Source: trust me bro.
Winds of change on long term residency and increased residence permit renewal fees blowing hot in Kuwait as the UAE celebrates Kuwait friendship week. Call it a coincidence! ð ð
At first I thought maybe they mixed it up with the UAE or Saudi Arabia but then I realise that Kuwait is only planning on a similar course but it is going to be more expensive.
I remember this from back in 2015: https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/6-expats-can-own-property/
There is this source as well: https://www.cityscape-events.com/en/insights/global-news/industry-impacts/kuwait-reveals-new-property-ownership-rules-for-non-citizens.html
The focus before was more on non-GCC Arabs to be honest and was why I was not looking much into this. After buying property they would get access to a longer-term visa.
For context, around 90%-95% of the land in Kuwait is owned by the government. So the price/affordability is higher than other countries (even neighbouring countries/first world countries).
Source:
– https://timeskuwait.com/reviving-real-estate-an-economic-necessity/
– https://timeskuwait.com/news/kuwait-among-the-most-difficult-country-in-the-world-to-own-a-home-markaz/
So yeah it is a challenge to get the long-term visa in Kuwait even if eligible.
The other reason it has take this long is that they were not for the idea as it would make the properties in Kuwait even more expensive: https://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/residence-property-link-bill-of-expats-pros-cons/
Expect parking charges also to rise in Kuwait City ð
UAE Kuwait friendship week is on ðĪŠðĪĢ