KABUL: The Kuwaiti government has introduced new amendments to the residency law for expatriates living in the country, aiming to limit the duration of stay outside the nation and make the residency system more effective. Under the new regulations, a regulation has been set for individuals who remain outside Kuwait for extended periods. According to the new residency law enacted by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, every expatriate can stay outside Kuwait for up to six months, if someone exceeds this duration, their residency status may be jeopardized. Several other countries also have fixed time limits for permanent residency or residence. For instance, under British law, those with permanent residency must not remain outside the country for more than 18 months. According to a report by Gulf News, this decision is part of new administrative regulations in Kuwait’s residency law and will apply to most residency categories. However, investors and property owners may receive some exceptions under this law. The new regulations also apply to domestic workers registered under Article 20, with a maximum allowable stay outside the country set at four months. If additional leave is required, the employer must obtain formal permission. Officials have stated that these changes aim to improve the enforcement of residency laws and make the management of the foreign population more efficient while still considering some conveniences for long-term stays for expatriates.
