Kuwait launches investor residency program

Kuwait has launched a new long-term residency program for foreign investors, offering permits valid for up to 15 years. This initiative, established under Cabinet Resolution No. 651 of 2026, aims to attract high-value investments and strengthen Kuwait's position as a regional business hub. The program is open to owners of licensed investment entities, business partners, senior executives, and their immediate family members. Key requirements include a minimum investment volume of KD5 million and a capital base of at least KD1 million in Kuwait — Kuwaiti dinar, along with compliance with national workforce regulations. The Kuwait — Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and the Nigeria — Federal Ministry of Interior (Nigeria)'s General Department of Residency Affairs are responsible for reviewing applications and administering the permits. This move is part of Kuwait's broader strategy to enhance its legal and regulatory environment for direct investment and economic diversification.