Salary Too Low? Here’s The Truth About Bringing Children Over 5 To Kuwait On Dependent Visas

20/10/2025

Salary Too Low? Here’s The Truth About Bringing Children Over 5 To Kuwait On Dependent Visas

Expatriates in Kuwait often face complex rules when it comes to bringing their children under family (dependent) visas. With the country’s latest regulations emphasizing financial eligibility, understanding the salary requirements and possible exemptions is essential for families looking to reunite with their children. Recent updates in 2025 clarify who qualifies for dependent visas, what documentation is needed, and the special considerations available for young children and those with medical needs, offering a clear roadmap for expats in Kuwait navigating the process.

Question:

Dear Arab Times,

Hope this email finds you at your finest. I am writing this email to inquire regarding the policy for family visas for children.

My wife and I are working here in Kuwait. None of our individual salaries is 800, but the total of both our salaries is above 800KD.

In this situation, can we get a family visa for our children who are below 15 years old, since they are living with their cousins currently back in India.

Due to my daughter's medical situation of SMA (spinal muscular atrophy), which was diagnosed here in Sabah Hospital, i had to send my family for my daughter's treatment.

Now my wife is here working, and my 3 children are with a cousin since I have no family there, and I want them here so we can look after them.

Would appreciate it if you could give a brief answer on this.

We would greatly appreciate your response and advice to address this issue in accordance with Kuwait's Law.

Thank you for the platform.

Best Regards
Name Withheld

Answer:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the eligibility criteria for obtaining a family (dependent) visa for your children in Kuwait.

As of July 2024 (Resolution No. 56 of 2024), expatriates in Kuwait seeking to sponsor family (dependent) visas for their children must meet specific criteria set by the Ministry of Interior. One of the primary requirements is a minimum monthly salary of KD 800, which applies regardless of the sponsor's educational qualifications (amended in Aug 2025).

Salary Requirement for Sponsoring Children

To sponsor a child under a dependent visa, the sponsor must earn at least KD 800 per month from their profession in Kuwait. This salary threshold is mandated by Ministerial Resolution No. 56 of 2024 and is enforced to ensure that expatriates can provide a decent standard of living for their dependents. Notably, combined salaries of both parents are not accepted to meet this requirement; only the salary of the sponsoring parent is considered.

Exemptions for Children Under Five

There are exceptions to the salary requirement for children under the age of five. If both parents are residents in Kuwait, the Director General of Residency Affairs has the discretion to grant exemptions from the salary condition for children in this age group. This provision aims to facilitate the reunification of young children with their parents residing in Kuwait.

Application Process and Required Documents

To apply for a dependent visa for a child, the following documents are typically required:

Valid passports for both the sponsor and the child
An attested birth certificate of the child
Marriage certificate of the parents (if applicable)
Sponsor's Civil ID and residency permit
Salary certificate from the sponsor's employer
Proof of accommodation in Kuwait
Medical examination reports for the child (if required)

Applications should be submitted through the Ministry of Interior's residency affairs departments. It's advisable to book an appointment via the Meta platform for processing.

Special Considerations

In exceptional cases, such as when a child has a medical condition requiring specialized care, the Ministry of Interior may consider granting a residency permit on a humanitarian basis. In such instances, it's recommended to provide comprehensive medical documentation and a formal request explaining the circumstances.

The Ministry of Interior may grant residency permits on humanitarian grounds in exceptional cases, such as for individuals with serious medical conditions or those facing urgent family reunification needs. While there is no standard, published procedure for such cases, the following steps are generally involved:

Steps to Apply for Humanitarian Residency in Kuwait

Prepare Supporting Documentation: Gather all necessary documents, including medical reports, proof of family relationships, and any other relevant paperwork that supports the humanitarian nature of the case.
Submit a Formal Request: Address a written request to the Ministry of Interior, detailing the circumstances and the reasons for seeking residency on humanitarian grounds.
Provide Evidence: Include all supporting documents with the request to substantiate the claim.
Await Evaluation: The Ministry will review the case, considering the provided information and any other relevant factors.
Decision: The Ministry will issue a decision based on the evaluation.

It's important to note that each case is unique, and approval is at the discretion of the Ministry of Interior.

However, you have one more option. As of August 2025, expatriates in Kuwait can sponsor family members for a family visit visa without meeting a minimum salary requirement. This policy change allows all legal residents to invite relatives, including children over the age of 5, regardless of their income level

Eligibility Criteria

Sponsor Requirements: The sponsor must be a legal resident in Kuwait with valid residency status.
Visitor Requirements: The visitor's passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of entry.
Relationship Proof: Documentation proving the relationship between the sponsor and the visitor is required

Required Documents

Completed Application Form: Obtainable from the Ministry of Interior or the official Kuwait Visa Portal.
Visitor's Passport Copy: Valid for a minimum of 6 months.
Proof of Relationship: Such as birth certificates or other official documents.
Sponsor's Civil ID Copy: To verify residency status.
Sponsor's Employment Details: Including a copy of the work permit (Article 18).
Visitor's Medical Insurance: Valid for the duration of the stay in Kuwait.

Application Process

Online Application: Submit the completed application and required documents through the official Kuwait Visa Portal.
Processing Time: Applications are typically processed within a few days to a week, depending on the volume and completeness of the submission.
Approval Notification: Once approved, the visitor will receive an electronic visa authorization.
Travel Arrangements: The visitor can travel to Kuwait using any airline or transport mode, as there are no restrictions on the mode of travel.

Important Notes

Validity of Visit Visa: The family visit visa is typically valid for one month and is non-convertible to a residence permit.
Overstaying Penalties: Visitors who overstay their visa may be subject to fines and deportation.
Healthcare Access: As of August 2025, visit visa holders are not eligible for public healthcare services in Kuwait.

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