Cabinet Resolution No. 651 of 2026, published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm in June, established the framework for granting long-term investor residency permits. The Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority assesses applications and recommends them to the General Department of Residency Affairs in the Ministry of Interior for final approval. Permits extend up to 15 years for investors, partners, owners and senior executives who maintain a minimum investment value of KD 5 million in a licensed entity and deposit at least KD 1 million in paid-up capital in a Kuwaiti bank account. The criteria also require businesses to demonstrate genuine operations and comply with policies to employ Kuwaiti nationals.
Economic expert and former Ministry of Finance advisor Mohammed Ramadan affirmed that the decision to grant golden visas to foreign investors offers a range of economic and social benefits. “The first and most direct benefit of this system is stimulating and attracting investment by enhancing the business environment and encouraging foreign capital to flow into the Kuwaiti market more quickly and flexibly, while benefiting from the legal and economic stability that long-term residency provides for investors and their families,” Ramadan said. He identified solving the unemployment issue and restructuring the employment sector as the second major benefit since one of the main conditions requires foreign investors to employ a specific percentage and an appropriate number of Kuwaiti nationals. Ramadan stressed the need to activate the role of Kuwaiti embassies and diplomatic missions abroad in actively promoting the golden residency program through extensive marketing campaigns that include investment forums in global economic capitals and distribution of informational brochures.
Ramadan indicated that such campaigns should clarify the program’s advantages, facilities, terms and conditions to potential applicants. He called for removing obstacles in line with applicable regulations to attract more foreign investment especially as foreign direct investment remains very limited still below KD 2 billion. The expert pointed out that a large segment of investors and international companies constantly seek to expand their investments outside their home countries which has made Dubai a major destination for foreign investment.
A government advisor confirmed that the initiative sends a highly significant message of confidence to the business community and international companies. The advisor noted that the golden residency system was designed to open broader horizons for successful investment partnerships and provide a stable and sustainable legislative and living environment for foreign investors and their families. He explained that Kuwait’s golden residency system has established financial criteria reflecting the country’s desire to attract financially strong entities with the executive regulations stipulating the minimum investment and capital thresholds.
Central Bank of Kuwait data places recent foreign direct investment inflows at modest levels with an increase of 12.1 million KD recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. This pattern underscores the program’s aim to boost capital inflows as outlined in the 2013 law on promotion of direct investment that forms the program’s legal basis. The Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority coordinates the assessment process to ensure only qualifying high-value projects receive the residency benefit.
The first 15-year golden residency was granted in July 2026 to Yusuff Ali M.A., chairman and managing director of Lulu Group International, and presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah. Officials have tied the scheme to Kuwait’s broader objective of becoming a regional financial and commercial hub while reducing reliance on oil revenues. The high investment threshold distinguishes the program by prioritizing substantial long-term commitments over smaller-scale applications.
