Kuwait Announces 15-Year Visa for Foreign Investors, Including Pakistanis

Kuwait City: Kuwait has announced a new long-term residency program under which eligible foreign investors and their families will be granted residency permits of up to 15 years.

According to Gulf media reports, Kuwait has introduced a major reform in its visa regulations by launching a 15-year investment residency visa aimed at making the country a leading hub for foreign investment in the region.

Under the new policy, qualified individuals will be eligible for long-term residency of up to 15 years. The Kuwait Ministry of Interior stated that eligible categories include foreign investors meeting required criteria, immediate family members, senior officials of licensed investment institutions, and verified partners associated with investment entities.

However, authorities have set strict conditions for eligibility. Investors must hold licensed investment entities approved by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and maintain active business operations within the country. They are also required to employ Kuwaiti nationals in their businesses.

Additionally, investors must invest at least 1 million Kuwaiti dinars in approved activities, while licensed entities must maintain investments worth at least 5 million Kuwaiti dinars.

The ministry said the initiative aims to support Kuwait’s vision of transforming into a strong financial and commercial hub by attracting international investors and diversifying the economy beyond oil dependence.

The residency reform has been approved under Cabinet Resolution No. 651 of 2026 and developed in coordination between the Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Residency Affairs and KDIPA under Investment Promotion Law No. 116 of 2013.