KUWAIT CITY, Dec 30: The Ministry of Interior has begun implementing the executive regulations of the Foreigners’ Residence Law No. 2249 of 2025, effective from December 23, introducing a comprehensive framework of fines for residence-related violations and clarifying settlement amounts and maximum penalties.

The new regulations define violations for which reconciliation is permitted and set daily fines based on the type of residency, visa status, and duration of overstay or delay.

Fines for Failure to Obtain or Renew Residency
Under Article 9, any foreigner who fails to obtain a residence permit within the legally specified period will be fined two dinars per day during the first month, followed by four dinars per day thereafter, with a maximum fine of 1,200 dinars.

For holders of domestic worker visas or similar categories, the fine remains two dinars per day, capped at 600 dinars.

Article 11 stipulates that holders of all types of visit visas, transport vehicle drivers, and individuals entering the country under “emergency entry” permits who exceed their permitted stay will be fined 10 dinars per day, up to a maximum of 2,000 dinars.

Article 12 addresses expats who overstay their temporary residence permit or departure notice, imposing a fine of two dinars per day for the first month, increasing to four dinars per day thereafter, with a maximum of 1,200 dinars. For domestic workers, the fine is set at two dinars per day, up to 600 dinars.

Article 13 (Paragraph 5) further confirms that upon the expiry of a residence permit, refusal to renew, or failure to leave the country, the same fine structure applies: two dinars per day for the first month, then four dinars per day, capped at 1,200 dinars. Domestic workers are subject to a maximum fine of 600 dinars.

The explanatory memorandum of the law clarifies penalties related to job abandonment. If a worker’s residence permit issued under Articles 17, 18, or 20 is cancelled due to abandonment and a new residence permit is later issued, the worker will be fined two dinars per day for the first month of delay, followed by four dinars per day, with a maximum fine of 1,200 dinars.

Article 6 of the law imposes a fine of two dinars per day for failure to register a foreign birth within four months, applicable after the first month, with a maximum fine of 2,000 dinars.

Separately, the Ministry of Interior confirmed that expats holding valid residence permits are not allowed to remain outside Kuwait for more than six consecutive months. This rule applies to residence categories 17, 18, and 24.

The Ministry clarified that the following groups are exempt from this restriction:

Regarding domestic workers residing under Article 20, the permitted absence from Kuwait is limited to four months, unless the sponsor submits a formal leave request through the Residency Affairs Department or via the “Sahl” application.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the implementation of the executive regulations is part of its ongoing efforts to regulate residency procedures, update relevant legislation, and enhance administrative oversight, in line with approved legal frameworks. The move aims to ensure compliance with residency laws and protect the public interest while improving the efficiency of the residency system.