Kuwait: According to official sources cited by the prominent English newspaper, Kuwait Times, the Ministry of Interior is set to introduce new conditions for family visas by the end of this year. Family visas have remained suspended for over a year, following ministerial directives aimed at re-evaluating the issuance process and implementing mechanisms to prevent visitors from overstaying their permits. The anticipated new conditions are expected to be made public in December.
The report states, “The new mechanism is in its final stages of preparation and is slated for submission to Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled in the near future. It encompasses the issuance of a special card to visitors, which will require mandatory health insurance. This applies to sons, daughters, parents of children older than 16, or a parent along with their child.”
However, it is noted that visas will not be granted for a resident’s siblings. Additionally, sources indicate that the health insurance fee could potentially reach up to KD 500, with a maximum visit period of one month. “Fees for visit visa issuance could witness a 100 percent increase compared to previous rates,” the report states, according to the sources.
Among the new stipulations, applicants will be required to ensure that their visitors depart the country promptly at the conclusion of the designated visit period. Failure to adhere to this requirement will render the sponsoring resident legally accountable, subjecting them to both financial and administrative penalties. In severe cases, this could even lead to a permanent ban on issuing future visit visas, as outlined in the report.