KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait has rolled out fresh residency laws for expats under Amiri Decree 114/2024, replacing the old regulations that had been around since 1959. With 36 new rules spread across seven chapters, the updated laws cover everything from visas and passports to deportation rules.

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To enter or leave Kuwait, foreigners now need a valid passport. GCC nationals, however, can use their ID cards instead, thanks to special agreements. All entries and exits must happen through ports approved by the Interior Ministry.

If a foreigner is born in Kuwait, parents must apply for residency papers within four months. For those planning to stay, getting a residency permit from the Interior Ministry is a must. Kuwaitis can sponsor their non-Kuwaiti spouses and children, though certain rules apply, especially for Kuwaiti women. Domestic workers are also covered, with employers required to report absences within two weeks. Most residency permits are valid for five years, but some people, like children of Kuwaiti women and property owners, can get ten-year permits.

The laws crack down on residency violations. Anyone caught breaking the rules can face penalties, and employers must cover deportation costs if needed. The Interior Minister has the power to deport people even if they have valid permits.

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On the legal side, the Public Prosecution will handle residency-related cases, and there’s a chance for reconciliation in certain situations. Some groups, like diplomats and their families, are exempt from the rules.

The new laws will take full effect once additional regulations are rolled out in the next six months. These updates aim to modernise the system and ensure better compliance across the board.