Kuwait reopens visit visas for expatriates’ parents and relatives

Key Takeaways

• Kuwait resumes family visit visas in 2025, enforcing stricter rules and higher salary requirements for sponsors.
• Expatriates must prove monthly salary: KWD 400 for spouse/children, KWD 800 for parents/relatives, visa validity up to 30 days.
• Only Kuwait Airways or Al Jazeera Airways tickets accepted; written pledge against changing visa status now mandatory.

Kuwait 🇰🇼 has brought back visit visas for family members, including parents and relatives, in 2025. This follows a break in issuing these visas, which started in August 2022. Now, with the restart, Kuwait 🇰🇼 has made the process more strict for expatriates. There are new rules about who can bring family over and what steps they must follow.

The following guide will go step by step through Kuwait’s 🇰🇼 latest rules for expatriates looking to sponsor visit visas for their parents and relatives. It aims to help expatriates in Kuwait 🇰🇼 clearly understand what to expect when inviting loved ones for a short stay.

Checklist of Requirements for Expatriates

Before starting the application, check you meet the following points:

– Legal residency in Kuwait 🇰🇼
– Minimum salary requirement based on relationship:
– KWD 400/month for spouse or children
– KWD 800/month for parents or other relatives (siblings, aunts/uncles, in-laws, nieces/nephews)
– Confirm the visitor can travel on a Kuwait 🇰🇼 national airline (Kuwait Airways or Al Jazeera Airways)
– Be ready to sign a written pledge not to turn the visit visa into a residency permit
– Gather all needed documents (see checklist at the end)

Step 1: Understand Who Can Be Sponsored

Kuwait 🇰🇼 sets clear rules for who expatriates can bring through visit visas:
– Immediate family (spouse, children) with salary of at least KWD 400/month
– Parents and other relatives (including siblings, in-laws, aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews) with salary of at least KWD 800/month

Important: The new rules mean it is now possible for expatriates to bring extended family, not just spouse or children, if they meet the higher salary requirement.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

To make the process smooth, gather these documents before your appointment:

• A filled-out visit visa application form (available from the Ministry of Interior)
• Sponsor’s civil ID and passport copies (these show the sponsor’s legal status and identity)
• Proof of relationship (such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate)
• Proof of monthly salary (such as a salary certificate or bank statement)
• Copy of your valid work permit or residency permit
• Confirmed return flight ticket for the visitor on Kuwait Airways or Al Jazeera Airways
• Any other documents requested by immigration staff

Tip: Make sure all documents are up to date and copies are clear. Incomplete or outdated paperwork is a common reason for delays.

Step 3: Book Your Appointment with the Residency Department

All expatriates sponsoring family visit visas must make an appointment with the General Directorate of Residency. This is done through the “Meta Portal” (the official online system from Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior).

• Visit the Meta Portal online at Ministry of Interior Portal
• Create an account if you don’t have one
• Book a slot for visit visa applications

Note: Appointment slots may fill up quickly, especially during busy seasons. Plan ahead and choose a date that allows you time to gather documents.

Step 4: Go to the Appointment and Submit Documents

On the appointment day:

• Arrive early at the Residency Department office
• Bring all documents as listed
• Submit your documents to the officer

An immigration officer will check your papers and make sure you meet the requirements.

Step 5: Pay the Visa Fee

If your documents are accepted, you’ll be told to pay the visa fee. As of 2025, the fee for a family visit visa is KWD 3.

• You can usually pay by cash or card at the counter.

Important: Keep the payment receipt, as it is proof of your application.

Step 6: Sign the Written Pledge

A special rule in Kuwait 🇰🇼 requires sponsors to sign a written pledge. This is a promise that:

• The sponsored family member will not use the visit visa as a way to change to a permanent residency
• The visitor will leave Kuwait 🇰🇼 before the 30-day maximum stay ends

You will be given a copy of this form to sign during your appointment.

Caution: If the pledge is broken and the visitor overstays, there can be serious penalties for both the sponsor and visitor, including future visa bans and fines.

Step 7: Show Proof of Return Ticket

You must show a confirmed return ticket for your family member. The ticket must be on Kuwait Airways or Al Jazeera Airways.

• If these airlines do not offer direct flights from the visitor’s home country, you must book through a country served by these airlines (transit route).
• Tickets must show a return date within 30 days of arrival.

Tip: Hold off on booking non-refundable flights until your appointment is confirmed, just in case there are changes or if your application is not successful.

Step 8: Receive the Visit Visa

Once everything is reviewed and accepted, you will be issued the visit visa.

• The visa is usually valid for up to 30 days from the date of entry into Kuwait 🇰🇼.
• You must share the approval and visa details with your relative, so they can present them at the airport before flying.

Special Notes for Expatriates

• There is no official college or university degree requirement for sponsoring visit visas for parents or extended relatives. (Degree rules now mostly apply to longer-term residency sponsorships, not short visits.)
• Work permit and residency permits for the sponsor must be valid during the application and through the visitor’s stay.

Key Deadlines and Conditions

• Visa validity: Up to 30 days. Overstaying leads to fines and can block future visa requests.
• The airline restriction: Only Kuwait Airways or Al Jazeera Airways can be used for entry. No exceptions except when no route exists.
• Salary minimums: KWD 400/month for spouse and children, KWD 800/month for parents or other relatives.

Caution: Meeting these new salary bands is now very important and checked strictly.
Note: Fees and rules can change. Always check for the latest updates before applying.

Possible Problems and Solutions

• Missing Documents: Double-check your paperwork. Visit Ministry of Interior Portal for the most recent list.
• Wrong Airline Booking: Don’t buy tickets on other airlines. Entry will be refused.
• Pledge Not Signed: Not signing the pledge stops the process.
• Salary Too Low: If your monthly wage is below the threshold, the application will be denied. Some sponsors who get raises later can reapply once eligible.

If your application is denied:
– Ask immigration officials for a clear reason. Some denials are final, but simple mistakes can sometimes be fixed with missing documents or correcting an error.
– In case of repeated problems, consult a legal advisor who knows Kuwait 🇰🇼 immigration rules.

What Happens After the Visit Visa Is Approved

• The visitor can travel to Kuwait 🇰🇼 within the visa’s date window, using the required airline.
• Immigration officials will stamp the visa on arrival.
• The visit cannot be changed to a residency or work permit inside Kuwait 🇰🇼.
• When 30 days pass, the visitor must leave. Overstaying results in fines, possible bans, and trouble for both the visitor and expatriate sponsor.

Kuwait’s 🇰🇼 Family Visa Policy in Context

Kuwait 🇰🇼 restarted family visit visas with stricter rules to balance two things: expatriates’ wish for short family reunification and the government’s concerns about population balance and public services.

• By raising salary requirements, officials aim to make sure sponsors have enough income to support their visitors and reduce the risk of visitors overstaying.
• Demand for family visits from Kuwait’s large expatriate community remains high, but the government is focused on keeping the process controlled and orderly.
• Only national airlines can be used to help authorities track arrivals and control entry points more easily.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these new measures signal a careful approach by Kuwait 🇰🇼—allowing families to visit while keeping a close watch on who enters and making sure sponsors have enough money to cover the needs of their visitors.

Summary Table of Kuwait 🇰🇼 Family Visit Visa Rules (2025)

Additional Resources

• For the most up-to-date forms, instructions, and booking portal, visit Kuwait Ministry of Interior.
• Seek advice from certified immigration lawyers in Kuwait 🇰🇼 for complex or unclear cases.
• Stay aware that guidelines can change as authorities review demographic and expatriate trends.

Final Reminders and Best Practices

• Always keep copies of all documents and receipts.
• Never try to use a visit visa to start work or long-term residence.
• Encourage visitors to respect all visa conditions, including the stay period and exit plans.
• For any unclear issue, talk to Kuwaiti immigration officials directly or use the official government portal.

Step-by-Step Summary Checklist

• [ ] Confirm legal Kuwaiti residency
• [ ] Meet the right salary amount (KWD 400 or 800 per month)
• [ ] Collect civil ID, passport, work permit
• [ ] Gather proof of relationship
• [ ] Book an appointment on Meta Portal
• [ ] Prepare a confirmed national airline return ticket
• [ ] Go to appointment on time with all documents
• [ ] Pay KWD 3 visa fee
• [ ] Sign the written pledge
• [ ] Wait for processing and collect visa
• [ ] Inform your family member about travel details and restrictions

By following these steps, expatriates in Kuwait 🇰🇼 can bring parents and relatives for a short, memorable visit while meeting all legal duties. For complex questions or new changes, check the government portal or talk with a legal advisor. This keeps both the sponsor and the visitor safe and in line with the latest rules.

Learn Today

Expatriate → A person living in a country different from their nationality, usually for work or long-term residence.
Residency Permit → An official document granting a foreign national the legal right to live and work in Kuwait.
Meta Portal → Kuwait’s official online system for scheduling appointments and managing visa and residency applications.
Written Pledge → A legally binding promise required from sponsors affirming no change from visit visa to residency permit.
KWD → Kuwaiti Dinar, the official currency of Kuwait. Used as the salary measurement for visa eligibility.

This Article in a Nutshell

Kuwait has reinstated family visit visas with stricter rules in 2025. Expatriates face higher salary requirements and strict documentation checks. Only national airlines may be used. The new process aims to ensure responsible sponsorship while allowing families short visits. Careful planning and compliance are now essential to avoid denials or penalties.
— By VisaVerge.com

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