Family join visa and dependant residence
Foreign residents can apply to the General Department of Residency Affairs for a family join entry visa for their dependants. Under Decree-Law 114/2024, Kuwaitis may apply for residence for their non-Kuwaiti spouses and children. Children born in Kuwait to foreigners must get residence or leave within four months of birth.
Life in Kuwait
Money
3
Currency
Kuwaiti Dinar
KWD
Kuwaiti Dinar
Cost of living
60
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Living
1
Happiness
#38 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Spouses and children of foreign residents, and foreign spouses and children of Kuwaiti citizens.
Eligibility
Sponsor request
The family join visa is issued by the General Department of Residency Affairs on the sponsor's request, on the official form.
Kuwaiti sponsorsFamily of Kuwaitis
Kuwaitis may apply for residence for non-Kuwaiti spouses and children. Non-Kuwaiti women previously married to or widowed by Kuwaitis may apply if they have children with a Kuwaiti national.
Newborns
Children born in Kuwait to foreigners must get residence or leave within four months of birth.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklistSponsor's application on the official form
- FeesDependant residence fees
- Steps to applyThe sponsor applies to the Residency Affairs department (or online) for a family
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 documents
- 1 fee
- 2 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Kuwait
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- Amiri Diwan of Kuwait - Amiri decree issued new law concerning foreigners' residency (Decree-Law 114/2024)
- Kuwait Ministry of Interior - Ministerial Decree No. 957 of 2019 on the residence regulations (PDF, Kuwait Al-Youm supplement)
- Kuwait Ministry of Interior - General Department of Residency Affairs e-services
Other routes to Kuwait
- Visit & tourismVisit visa
- Work permitsWork entry visa and work residence
- Status in-countryTen-year residence
- Investors & entrepreneursInvestor residence of up to 15 years
Family in other countries
- LiechtensteinFamily reunification for non-EEA residents
- Sri LankaResidence visa for the foreign spouse and children of a Sri Lankan citizen
- LesothoResidence permit - joining spouse, parents or relative
- LithuaniaTemporary residence permit for family reunification
- LuxembourgAuthorisation to stay for a family member of a third-country national
- LatviaTemporary residence permit for spouses and children of Latvian citizens, non-citizens and permanent residents
