Kuwait Cracks Down On Sponsored Parental Visas

In a move applied with immediate effect, expat professionals living and working in Kuwait will no longer be able to sponsor dependent residency visas for their parents.

The shock decision is being applied with immediate effect, and will cause distress and anger amongst Kuwait’s resident expat community, although the new rules allow for sponsorships of short-term visits to the emirate. In addition, the new laws also includes husbands’ sponsorship of wives and children under a dependent visa, all of whom will be forced to leave Kuwait should the sponsor resign from his job. Also affected will be husbands and children of female sponsors, who will also be expected to leave.

One report from the relevant ministry states that, last week, several adult children of elderly parents had been given permission to sponsor their parents, adding that permission had now been rescinded and the sponsorship cancelled. According to the source, the decision was taken in order to clarify the situations of expats under the Article 22 category, thus ensuring male and female spouses are only allowed to sponsor their wives, husbands and children.

For expats still wishing to bring in their parents for a short-term visit, it should be noted that the age limit of 60 years has now been withdrawn in favour of a scheme aimed at collecting any medical charges due for treatment during the visit. Expats wishing to sponsor a parental visit will need to be earning at least KD500 a month and visa duration will be restricted to one month.