How to Transfer Residency from Father to Husband in Kuwait

Arab Times

24-04-2025

My husband and I are Indian nationals residing in Kuwait. We were legally married at the court in Kuwait. I am currently under my father's sponsorship (Article 22) and would like to transfer my residency to my husband's sponsorship. Kindly provide us with the step-by-step procedure and the required documents for this process.
Answer: To transfer your dependent visa (Article 22) sponsorship from your father's name to your husband's name in Kuwait, you will need to follow the steps outlined by the Kuwait Ministry of Interior. Below is a step-by-step guide along with the required documents for the process:
Step-by-Step Procedure for Sponsorship Transfer:
1. Eligibility Check:
Ensure that your husband's residency status allows him to sponsor you. Your husband must hold a valid work visa (Article 17 /18 / 24 ) or a business visa (Article 19) to be eligible for sponsoring a dependent. And your visa is Article 22 (Dependent Visa)
2. Salary For Sponsoring Dependent:
As of the latest regulations, the minimum monthly salary requirement for sponsoring a spouse is KD 800
3. Obtain Required Documents:
Prepare the following documents for the sponsorship transfer:
- Father's Civil ID copy
- Copy of your husband's Civil ID (should be valid).
- A copy of your marriage certificate (attested by the relevant authorities).
- Your valid passport (and a copy).
- Your existing residency permit (copy).
- Copy of your husband's work contract or employer letter (must be valid and approved by the Ministry of Interior).
- Salary Certificate of husband
- House Rent Contract (may be required for some cases)
- 2 passport-sized photographs of the wife
- No Objection Form from father
- Fee payment for the sponsorship transfer (this may vary).
4. Visit the General Department of Residency
- Visit the Residency Affairs Department of the Ministry of Interior (General Department of Residency) with all the documents mentioned above.
- A representative will review your documents and verify that all requirements are met. This process can take some time.
5. Submit the Sponsorship Transfer Application:
- Fill out the sponsorship transfer application form and submit it along with the necessary documents. Your husband's employer may need to assist in this process if he works under a company.
- The process involves some administrative checks.
6. Pay Fees for Transfer:
- The sponsorship transfer process comes with a fee. You will be required to make the payment either at the counter or via the online portal (depending on the ministry's process at that time).
7. Medical Examination (if required):
- Some cases may require you to undergo a medical examination at an authorized health center. You will be informed if this is needed.
8. Await Processing:
- After submitting the documents and paying the fee, you will need to wait for the approval of the sponsorship transfer. This may take a few days depending on the workload and clearance from relevant departments.
9. Receive New Residency Permit:
Once the transfer is approved, you will receive a new residency permit under your husband's sponsorship (Dependent Visa /Article 22). This will allow you to reside in Kuwait under your husband's sponsorship. Kindly note that you cannot take up a job under Article 22
Key Requirements:
Valid Marriage Certificate: Ensure that your marriage is legally recognized and documented by the authorities. You may need to get the marriage certificate attested if it was not issued in Kuwait.
Your Husband's Residency: Your husband's residency must be current, and he must meet the financial requirements set by the government to sponsor a dependent.
No Pending Violations: Neither you nor your husband should have any pending legal issues, fines, or violations in Kuwait for the transfer to be processed smoothly.
Additional Tips:
Follow Up: Always follow up with the Ministry of Interior if the process is taking longer than expected.
Check Online: Many procedures and payments can be done online through the Ministry of Interior's portal or the Kuwait Government Services app (if available).