What You Need to Know About Article 29 and Residence Renewal in Kuwait

15/01/2026

What You Need to Know About Article 29 and Residence Renewal in Kuwait

The Public Authority for Manpower has updated its residency system, transferring certain dependents from the old Article 22 to the new Article 29, which governs family residency permits. The change affects residence renewals, health insurance registration, and other administrative procedures for dependents, including parents, spouses, and children of residents. Under Article 29, residency is tied to the sponsor, with specific requirements for health insurance and documentation, reflecting Kuwait’s ongoing efforts to streamline and digitize expatriate services.

Question
Dear Arab Times
Thank you and appreciate your excellent in giving information regarding the various laws in Kuwait.
My mother who was under Article 22 has been transferred to Article 29 under the new system.
I am not able to pay the health insurance and subsequently renew her residence as I need to transfer to the new Article.
Kindly advice the steps taken to do the above.Will be grateful for your reply.

Name withheld

Answer

The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) in Kuwait has updated its residency system, transitioning certain dependents from Article 22 to Article 29 under the digitalized system. This change affects residence renewal, health insurance registration, and other administrative procedures for family dependents, including parents and siblings of expats or citizens.

What is Article 29?
Article 29 is the category under the new system that governs family residency permits. Residents under this Article are officially recognized as dependents of their sponsor.

Key features include:

Sponsor linkage: Residency is tied to the main sponsor (for example, a son, daughter, or spouse).
Health insurance requirement: Registration in Kuwait’s mandatory health insurance system is required.
Residency renewal: Renewals must be processed under Article 29 rules, not the previous Article 22.
Work restrictions: Typically, Article 29 residents are not allowed to work unless their status is changed.

In comparison, Article 22 was part of the older residency system, which also allowed family members to reside under a sponsor but did not integrate fully with the digital health insurance and residence renewal systems.

Why the Change Matters

With the transfer to Article 29, dependents must ensure that:

Their residency records are updated to reflect the new Article.
Health insurance is correctly registered under Article 29.
Residence renewals are completed through the updated system to avoid delays or penalties.

Step-by-Step Guide: Health Insurance Registration under Article 29

Access the Health Insurance Portal: Visit the official health insurance portal or your provider’s online system.
Update Residency Information: Ensure your dependent’s Article 29 status is reflected in the Civil ID and MOI system.
Register or Update Insurance: Register the dependent under the new Article 29 category. Health insurance is mandatory for processing residence renewals.
Pay the Health Insurance Fee: Complete the payment online to activate coverage.
Verify Registration: Ensure the system shows the dependent as insured under the updated Article.

Step-by-Step Guide: Residence Renewal under Article 29

Check MOI Records: Confirm that the dependent’s Article 29 status is officially reflected in the Ministry of Interior system.
Access MOI Online Services: Log in to the MOI Online Portal or use apps such as Mosafer or Ahli for expatriate services.
Select Residence Renewal: Choose the renewal service under Article 29.
Provide Required Documents: Submit Civil ID, passport, previous residency permit, and proof of health insurance payment.
Pay Fees: Complete any required residency renewal fees online.
Receive Confirmation: Obtain the renewed residency permit, ensuring all records match the new Article

For more legal queries, visit our legal section. For new queries, please email us at [email protected]