11/05/2025
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11/05/2025
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For expatriate families residing in Kuwait, the birth of a child initiates a mandatory legal process involving both the home country and host country authorities. From obtaining an attested birth certificate to applying for a passport through the appropriate embassy and securing a dependent residence visa under Kuwait’s immigration regulations, each step must be completed with accuracy and within specified timelines. This article provides a detailed overview of these procedures, with specific guidance for Indian, Filipino, and Egyptian nationals.
Note: Who can sponsor a child on a dependent visa, and who cannot
Can
- Article 18: Private Sector Employees
- Article 17: Government Employees
- Article 19: Partner/Investor
- Article 24: Self-Sponsorship
Cannot
- Article 20: Domestic Workers
- Article 23: Students
- Article 14: Temporary Residence
- Article 25: Humanitarian Cases (Only on case by case)
- Article 22: Dependent Visa
Parents can sponsor their children under a dependent visa (Article 22) until the children reach a certain age limit, with specific rules based on gender and employment status. Male up to 21 years old unless is a student (Proof required). Female, no fixed age limit- Can remain under parents’ sponsorship as long as she is unmarried. Once married, sponsorship must transfer.
Eligibility Criteria for Sponsoring Children
Minimum Salary Requirement
- To sponsor your spouse and children, you must earn a minimum monthly salary of KWD 800.
- University Degree Requirement (If required)
- For sponsoring children aged 14 to 18, you typically need to hold a university degree relevant to your profession in Kuwait.
However, this requirement is waived for certain professions, including:
- Medical professionals (doctors, pharmacists)
- Engineers
- Educators (teachers, professors)
- Legal professionals (judges, prosecutors)
- Journalists and media professionals
- Pilots and flight attendants
- Religious leaders (imams, preachers)
- Social workers and psychologists
- Sports coaches and athletes
- Funeral service professionals
Exemptions for Young Children
If both parents are residents of Kuwait, the salary requirement may be waived for sponsoring children under the age of 5.
Required Documents
To apply for a dependent visa for your children, you will need:
- Completed visa application form
- Valid passports for both sponsor and child (with at least 6 months validity)
- Passport-sized photographs with a white background
- Birth certificate of the child (attested)
- Marriage certificate (translated and attested)
- Sponsor's Civil ID (copy)
- Salary certificate from your employer
- Proof of accommodation in Kuwait
- Police clearance certificate (if required)
- Medical examination reports for the child
Application Process
Document Preparation: Gather all required documents and ensure translations and attestations are completed.
Submission: Apply to the General Department of Residency Affairs at the Ministry of Interior.
Medical Examination: Your child may need to undergo a medical check-up at an approved health center.
Approval and Visa Issuance: Upon approval, the dependent visa will be stamped, allowing your child to reside legally in Kuwait
Important Considerations
Employment Restrictions: Children on dependent visas are not permitted to work in Kuwait. If they wish to work, they must transfer to a work visa.
Residency Validity: The dependent visa's validity is tied to the sponsor's residency. If the sponsor's residency is canceled or not renewed, the dependent visa becomes invalid.
Travel Limitations: Dependents should not stay outside Kuwait for more than 6 consecutive months, or their residency may be canceled.
When a child is born in Kuwait to expatriate parents, specific procedures must be followed to register the birth and obtain residency (iqama) for the newborn. Here's a comprehensive guide to the process, including salary requirements and necessary steps:
Sponsoring a Newborn Born in Kuwait
Salary Requirement
No minimum salary requirement is imposed for sponsoring a newborn born in Kuwait. This exemption applies regardless of the parents' income levels.
Required Documents
- Birth Certificate: Obtain the official birth certificate from the hospital where the child was born. This document should be submitted to Birth Registration office to obtain a proper birth certificate. Later get it attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Passports: Original passports and copies of both parents.
- Civil IDs: Original and copies of both parents' Civil IDs.
- Marriage Certificate: Attested and translated into Arabic.
- Child's Passport: Issued by the parents' embassy in Kuwait.
- Health Insurance: Obtain medical insurance for the child.
- Application Forms: Completed residency application forms.
Procedure
- Birth Registration: Register the child's birth at the Ministry of Health and obtain the birth certificate.
- Attestation: Have the birth certificate attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Passport Issuance: Apply for the child's passport at your embassy in Kuwait.
- Health Insurance: Secure medical insurance for the child.
- Residency Application: Submit all documents to the General Department of Residency Affairs to obtain the child's residency (iqama).
- Civil ID Application: Apply for the child's Civil ID at the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI).
Timeline
The entire process, including obtaining residency and the Civil ID, must be completed within 60 days of the child's birth. Failure to do so may result in fines or legal complications.
Sponsoring a Newborn Born Outside Kuwait
If your child is born outside Kuwait and you wish to bring them into the country:
Salary Requirement
A minimum monthly salary of KD 800 is typically required to sponsor a child born abroad.
Required Documents
- Child's Passport: Issued by the relevant authorities in the country of birth.
- Birth Certificate: Attested and translated into Arabic.
- Parents' Passports and Civil IDs: Originals and copies.
- Marriage Certificate: Attested and translated into Arabic.
- Salary Certificate: From the sponsor's employer, verifying income.
- Accommodation Proof: Evidence of suitable housing in Kuwait.
Procedure
- Visa Application: Apply for a family residence visa for the child at the Kuwaiti embassy or consulate in the country of birth.
- Entry into Kuwait: Once the visa is approved, the child can enter Kuwait.
- Residency Application: Submit all necessary documents to the General Department of Residency Affairs to obtain the child's residency (iqama).
- Civil ID Application: Apply for the child's Civil ID at PACI
HOW TO OBTAIN A PASSPORT FOR A NEWBORN IN KUWAIT
When a child is born in Kuwait to expatriate parents, one of the key steps is to obtain a passport for the newborn from your home country's embassy. Here's a general step-by-step guide to the typical procedures, but note that the exact process can vary slightly depending on your nationality.
General Procedures for Issuing a Newborn's Passport Through Your Embassy
Step 1: Register the Child's Birth in Kuwait
Before applying for a passport, you must first:
- Obtain the birth certificate from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health.
- Translate the birth certificate into your embassy's official language (if not already in that language).
Attest the birth certificate from:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kuwait)
- Your embassy (for recognition)
Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents
While requirements vary by embassy, most will request:
- Original Kuwaiti birth certificate (attested)
- Copies of both parents' passports
- Copies of both parents' Civil IDs
- Marriage certificate (attested and translated, if required)
- Passport-sized photos of the child (according to your embassy’s photo specs)
- Passport application form (from your embassy’s website or office)
- Fees (in local currency or per embassy rules)
Some embassies may also require:
- Parents to be physically present.
- A police clearance or a no-objection certificate (rare).
- A hospital-issued birth notification letter.
Step 3: Apply at Your Embassy
Book an appointment online or Visit Personally
Submit all documents to your embassy.
The embassy may issue:
- A new passport directly, or
- A birth certificate from your home country is part of the process.
Step 4: Processing Time
Varies by country: 2 to 4 weeks on average.
Some embassies offer express or urgent services for an additional fee.
After Passport Issuance
Once you receive your child’s passport, you can proceed to:
- Apply for residency (iqama) at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior.
- Apply for the child’s Civil ID (PACI).
Indian Citizens – Passport Application for Newborns
Indian nationals in Kuwait can apply for their newborn's passport through the BLS International centers, which process applications on behalf of the Indian Embassy.
Required Documents:
- Duly filled online application form: Complete at Passport Seva.
- Original and photocopies of:
- Child’s birth certificate issued by Kuwait’s Ministry of Health, attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- English translation of the birth certificate.
- Passports and Civil IDs of both parents.
- Marriage certificate of the parents, if applicable.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs of the child.
Application fee: Approximately KWD 17.000 ( As of this date article is published)
Procedure:
- Complete the online application at Passport Seva.
- Visit a BLS International center with all required documents. Both parents and the child must be present.
- Apply and pay the applicable fees.
- Collect the passport once notified.
For more details, refer to the BLS International website.
Filipino Citizens – Passport Application for Newborns
Filipino nationals must report the birth of their child and apply for a passport through the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait.
Required Documents:
- Accomplished Report of Birth form.
- Original and photocopy of the child’s birth certificate issued by Kuwait’s Ministry of Health.
- Passports of both parents.
- Marriage certificate of the parents
- Two recent passport-sized photographs of the child.
Procedure:
- Schedule an appointment with the Philippine Embassy.
- Submit the Report of Birth along with the required documents.
- Apply for the child’s passport after the birth is registered.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Collect the passport once notified.
For detailed information, visit the Philippine Embassy's website.
Egyptian Citizens – Passport Application for Newborns
Egyptian nationals can apply for their newborn's passport through the Egyptian Embassy in Kuwait.
Required Documents:
- Original and photocopy of the child’s birth certificate issued by Kuwait’s Ministry of Health.
- Passports of both parents.
- Marriage certificate of the parents.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs of the child.
Procedure:
- Visit the Egyptian Embassy with all required documents.
- Submit the passport application.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Collect the passport once notified.
For more information, contact the Egyptian Embassy in Kuwait.
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