Latest news with #KD800
Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Expats In Kuwait Given 30 Days To Comply With Salary Rule Or Send Families Home
Kuwait has begun enforcing a strict set of new rules governing family visas for expats, summoning dozens of foreign residents found in violation of the country's residency regulations. According to Kuwaiti authorities, the Residence Affairs Investigations Department has launched a targeted campaign in recent weeks, identifying expatriates who originally met the minimum salary threshold of KD800 ($2,610)_but later fell below this requirement due to job changes or reduced income. These individuals most of whom had used their higher salaries to secure family residency permits (Article 22) for spouses and children have now been ordered to regularize their status within one month or send their dependents back to their home countries. The enforcement action follows Ministerial Resolution No. 56 of 2024, introduced in January by First Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al Sabah. Initially, the resolution mandated that applicants hold a university degree and work in a profession matching their qualifications, in addition to earning a minimum of KD800 per month. A July 2024 amendment later removed the degree requirement but retained the income threshold as the primary condition for sponsoring family members. 'The KD 800 salary benchmark is based on socio-economic studies and reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that expatriates are financially capable of providing a decent standard of living for their dependents,' said an official source familiar with the ministry's policy. The source added that the recent campaign is not a blanket crackdown but a targeted compliance effort informed by automated government systems that cross-reference employment, income, and residency data across departments. The Interior Ministry has emphasized that the family visa process remains open to all expatriates, regardless of nationality or educational background, as long as the salary requirement is met. However, under Article 29 of the revised regulation, eligibility is limited to those employed in positions consistent with their declared professions. Discretionary exceptions may be granted for children under the age of five or those born inside Kuwait, pending review by the Director General of Residency Affairs.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Kuwait tightens enforcement on family visa rules for expats
KUWAIT CITY: Under the latest ministerial decision, the Kuwaiti Residence Affairs Investigations Department has recently summoned dozens of expatriates for violating family visa regulations. The violators were granted a one-month grace period to either regularize their status or return their families to their home countries. The move targets expatriates who initially met the KD 800 salary requirement and secured family visas (Article 22) for their spouses and children, but later fell short of income. While their initial applications were approved based on valid work permits and salaries exceeding KD 800, subsequent job changes or salary reductions placed them in breach of the updated visa conditions. The source emphasized that the KD 800 salary requirement was implemented based on studies ensuring that expatriates can provide a decent standard of living for their dependents. The Interior Ministry has clarified that all expatriates, regardless of nationality or educational qualification, can apply for family visas, provided they meet the salary condition. According to the source, the government's automated systems are key in detecting fraudulent transactions and cross-verifying data across departments such as the General Directorate of Residency Affairs and the General Traffic Department. The updated rules stem from Ministerial Resolution No. 56 of 2024, initially introduced in January by First Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Al-Sabah. The resolution initially required applicants to earn at least KD 800, hold a university degree, and work in a profession matching their qualifications. However, an amendment in July 2024 allowed expatriates without degrees to bring in their families, provided their salary met the KD 800 threshold. Under Article 29 of the amended regulation, family residency can only be granted to those earning no less than KD 800 per month from work related to their designated profession. Exceptions may be granted for children under five or those born inside Kuwait, subject to the discretion of the Director General of Residency Affairs. Arab Times | © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
