Living in Kuwait guide for expats

Kuwait is a very small country located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Kuwait is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north and west. As of 2024, Kuwait's population is 4.4 million, 68% of which are expats.

Kuwait's geography is largely flat desert. The highest elevation in Kuwait is found outside of the city to the north, called Mutla Ridge, at 306 meters. Kuwait also has nine islands, but only one is inhabited. These islands can be visited for snorkeling and scuba diving trips with tour companies.

There are a few important points you should know before moving to Kuwait, from visa requirements to climate and culture.

Obtaining residency visas and work permits in Kuwait is compulsory

Foreigners moving to Kuwait can qualify for permanent residency for the following reasons:

• Studying in Kuwait;
• Working in Kuwait;
• Family reunification.

Residencies usually have a validity of between 6 months and 5 years, depending on the circumstance.

All residency visa applications are made at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and are issued by the Immigration & Passport Department. However, there will be different requirements depending on your purpose for obtaining the residency.

Work purposes

If you're moving to Kuwait for work, you will need to get a work permit before you are able to enter the country and apply for a residency visa. Your employer will be responsible for applying for both of these on your behalf.

Several documents are required when applying for a work permit:

• Passport with a validity of at least 2 years from the date of arrival in Kuwait;
• Valid employment offer;
• Completed visa application issued by the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• A passport-size photo;
• HIV test (AIDS test) results copy;
• A health certificate from a local doctor showing that the applicant is in good health and does not have a contagious disease. (Tests which need to be made are for hepatitis B and C, syphilis, malaria, filariasis, and chest X-rays for tuberculosis);
• Police clearance showing no criminal record.

Once your employer has submitted these documents, you will receive a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC), which will allow your entry into Kuwait. Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send a copy of the work permit to the Kuwait embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Your employer will also usually send you a copy of the work permit to take to the embassy in person. Only after you've arrived in Kuwait can your employer apply for your residency visa.

Finally, once the residency visa has been issued, you will need to apply for a Kuwait Civil ID (national identification card). You will need to do this within 30 days of receiving your residency visa.

Students

International students choosing to study in Kuwait can obtain a residency visa, and the duration of this visa will depend on the length of your academic program.

You will first need to be accepted into one of Kuwait's universities in order to begin your residency visa process. The school administration has to accept and approve your visa application before it is submitted. The application form can either be obtained online or from the Kuwaiti Embassy or Consulate in your country.

The requirements for obtaining a student residency visa are:

• Passport with a validity of at least 2 years from the date of arrival in Kuwait;
• Completed visa application issued by the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• A passport-size photo;
• HIV test (AIDS test) results copy;
• A health certificate from a local doctor showing that the applicant is in good health and does not have a contagious disease. (Tests that need to be made are for hepatitis B and C, syphilis, malaria, filariasis, and chest X-rays for tuberculosis);
• Police clearance showing no criminal record.

Family reunification

In 2024, Kuwait has been working hard to facilitate the process for existing residents to bring their families into the country. Expats who are residents of Kuwait can now apply for a family residence visa on behalf of their spouse and children below the age of 18.

This visa is a renewable, multi-entry visa with a validity of up to 3 years.

There are a few eligibility requirements for the applicant in order to be able to do this:

• The applicant must hold a university-level degree that corresponds to their field of work in Kuwait.
• Certain professions (including engineering, media, medicine, and higher education roles) may not need to submit a degree.
• The applicant must have a minimum salary of KD 800.
• The minimum salary may be waived in the case that both parents reside in Kuwait and are applying on behalf of a child aged 5 or under.

Important:

It is illegal to work with just a family residence visa. In order to work, holders of this visa must obtain a separate work permit/residence permit.

The cost of living in Kuwait is decent for all

Kuwait is considered to have a relatively affordable cost of living. While salaries might seem a little bit lower than some other cities in the region, the cost of living is also lower, which balances everything out.

Kuwait is also a great place to save money, as salaries are tax-free, and there are barely any utility bills to pay as it is heavily subsidised by the government.

The estimated monthly cost for a single person in Kuwait, without rent, is estimated at around 245 KWD. Whereas the cost of living for a family of four, without rent, is estimated at 910 KWD.

The cost of rent will differ depending on the size of the rented property, as well as the area. This can range from a monthly rent of 210 KWD for a studio in a less expensive area to around 1,300 KWD for a bigger space in a more expensive area.

Opening a bank account in Kuwait is easy

In order to open a bank account in Kuwait, you must have a valid Kuwait residency visa.

There are currently 11 local banks and 12 foreign banks in Kuwait. All banks are regulated and supported by the Central Bank of Kuwait.

The top 3 most popular local banks in Kuwait are:

• National Bank of Kuwait (NBK);
• Burgan Bank;
• Gulf Bank.

There are also 3 types of banks in Kuwait to choose from:

• Conventional banks (which operate in the same way as most banks worldwide)
• Islamic banks (which operate under a Sharia standard of banking)
• Specialized banks (which are tailored to specific industries)

It's generally recommended to open your account at the same bank as the company you are working for. This will ensure that you receive your salary on time.

Once you're ready to open up your bank account, you should have your residency visa and civil ID with you, along with some passport-size photos, your tenancy contract, and your passport. It's as simple as visiting the closest branch to you, and you will be assisted there. It's important to note that this will be the main branch that you will need to visit in case you need to change any information or pick up a new card, so it's best to pick one that is accessible to you.

Banks will usually ask for a minimum deposit in order to open an account, and this tends to be quite high due to the Kuwaiti dinar having such a high value. For example, the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) requires a minimum deposit of 500 KWD to open a current account.

Most banks in Kuwait offer the standard current, salary, and savings accounts. If you're interested in opening a joint account with your spouse, there are a number of banks that can facilitate this. However, it is up to the bank to approve whether or not an applicant is eligible for a joint account. In the event that you are unable to open a joint account and your spouse is not currently working in Kuwait, you can open a separate account for them, acting as their sponsor.Kuwait offers public and private health insurance options

The public health system in Kuwait is overseen by the Ministry of Health and provides Kuwaiti citizens with free healthcare. Non-Kuwaiti residents are able to benefit from the public health system in Kuwait at a reduced cost so long as they obtain a health insurance card. This consists of paying an annual fee of between 50 KWD and 130 KWD. The health insurance card can be applied for at one of the Health Insurance Centres.

The required documents you must have with you are:

• A copy of your sponsor's Civil ID.
• Civil ID.
• Passport-size photo.
• Copy of work permit or visa.

This health insurance card will grant access to public health facilities but does not cover specific services such as specialized examinations, X-rays, MRIs, etc.

Due to this, it is always preferable that expats in Kuwait have their own international health insurance. Most companies will provide health insurance to their employees and their dependents. This type of health insurance covers you in private health facilities, which generally provide better care.

The leading insurance companies in Kuwait are:

• Gulf Insurance Group (GIG) Kuwait;
• Al Ahleia Insurance;
• Warba Insurance.

Kuwait offers tax-free living

For those looking to save money, Kuwait is an ideal destination. There is no personal income tax in Kuwait, which means you get to keep all the money you earn.

In addition to this, while there are also no property or inheritance taxes in Kuwait, there are other taxes you should be aware of if you plan on opening or operating a business in Kuwait.

There is a corporate tax flat rate of 15%. Businesses operating in the neutral zone are only subject to tax in Kuwait on 50% of their taxable profit under the law.

All Kuwaiti shareholding companies are required to pay 1% of their annual net profits to the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS) in order to support scientific progress in the country.

Kuwaiti companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange are required to pay an employment tax of 2.5% of their annual net profits.

Finally, all publicly traded and closed Kuwaiti shareholding companies must pay a Zakat (an Islamic obligation to donate to charity) of 1% of their annual net profits.

Public transportation in Kuwait is accessible

Public transportation in Kuwait is available in the form of buses and taxis. Although you'll find that they're not widely used, and that most households have a private car. Many initiatives have been aimed at encouraging people to use public transportation more in order to ease the extreme traffic crisis.

Buses

There are currently 2 public bus providers in Kuwait:

• Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC);
• Citybus.

Kuwait Public Transport Company currently has a fleet of more than 400 buses. Its route runs in and around Kuwait City, reaching all the important areas.

Bus fares on KPTC buses start at just 250 fils, and there are many subscriptions on offer. For example, you can purchase a pass with unlimited access to all routes for 31 days, for only 10 KWD, or 91 days for only 25 KWD.

Children under the age of 10 are able to ride for free, and students can also get a free ride if they present their student ID upon entering the bus.

Citybus' fleet of 500 buses is a lot more modern, air-conditioned and equipped with entertainment facilities. It follows the same route as KPTC, making all important areas of Kuwait accessible. The fare averages 300 fils, but several passes are available for those who regularly commute by bus:

• Daily Pass - Unlimited travel - 1 KWD;
• Weekly Pass - Unlimited travel - 4 KWD;
• Monthly Pass - Unlimited travel on 1 Route - 11 KWD;
• Monthly Pass - Unlimited travel on all routes - 15 KWD;
• 3 Month Pass - Unlimited travel - 40 KWD.

Citybus has also recently launched 80 new eco-friendly, sustainable, low-carbon emission buses.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available throughout the country and can easily be hailed on the street.

While taxis in Kuwait do not use metres, the fares are regulated by the government to ensure that prices are fair and reasonable. The fare is usually agreed upon at the start of the trip, so it would be good to know that the starting fare is around 1 KWD for each km. You can expect for this number to be slightly higher if you're taking a taxi between 10 pm and 6 am, as these are considered late timings.

Finally, before getting into any car, make sure you see an official government-issued taxi plate to ensure your own safety.

Kuwait has the strongest currency in the world

The Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) is the strongest currency in the world. One KWD is approximately USD 3.33. The World Bank has named Kuwait the fifth most prosperous country in terms of gross national income per capita, with a GDP of USD 52,274. Kuwait is estimated to hold 7% of the world's oil reserves. The oil industry is mainly responsible for the wealth of the country.

Kuwait has a constitutional and semi-democratic regime

Kuwait is a constitutional emirate and is governed by a semi-democratic system. The system includes both appointed government and elected parliament. In recent years, more and more women have been participating in politics within Kuwait, with several female candidates running for parliament. Kuwaiti women are considered the most emancipated women in Middle Eastern countries.

Kuwait's legal system follows the 'civil law system', with the exception of legal matters related to familial issues. In these cases, Sharia law is followed by the Muslim population, and secular family law is followed by the non-Muslim population.

Kuwait has a hot and dry desert climate

Summer temperatures can easily exceed 50 degrees Celsius. Sandstorms are common in the spring and early summer months. In some cases, visibility due to sand storms can be limited to less than 500 meters. Kuwait experiences mostly dry heat, but July and August can bring a significant amount of humidity.

Winter daytime temperatures typically do not require anything more than a light jacket. However, like most desserts, nighttime temperatures can drop quite a bit, possibly ranging from 0 to -6 degrees Celsius. These cold nights are relatively short-lived, as temperatures begin to climb back up within six to eight weeks. The winter months can also bring thunderstorms. They are usually very short without much accumulated rainfall. If rainfall exceeds normal conditions, Kuwait is prone to flooding, as the city was not built to handle high amounts of rain.

The English language is widespread in Kuwait

Being an Arab country, it's no surprise that Kuwait's official language is Arabic. Standard Arabic is used in journalism and education, while a more informal Kuwaiti dialect is used in everyday conversation. The Kuwaiti dialect shares some similarities with other Gulf dialects but also features words from Indian, English, Persian, Turkish, and Italian due to trade and immigration.

However, you will not need to know Arabic in order to manage in Kuwait. English is widely spoken in the country and is taught in all schools. There are a number of local newspapers that are written completely in English, and you'll see things such as street signs, restaurant menus, etc. written in English as well.

Due to the diverse population in Kuwait, you will also find that Farsi, Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog are widely used within these communities, and that there are local radio stations catering to these specific languages.

Kuwaiti culture

Most Kuwaitis follow a traditional family-centered lifestyle. In the past, many couples chose to live with the husband's mother in his family home once married, which has been passed down for many generations. This has changed over the past decade, as young couples prefer to find their own spaces to live in after marriage. There is a common misconception that many Kuwaiti women eagerly anticipate having children soon after marriage. Most of today's youth in Kuwait prefer spending this time traveling outside of Kuwait for higher education or work.

Useful links:

Ministry of Interior - Visas

National Bank of Kuwait

Burgan Bank

Gulf Bank

Ministry of Health - Insurance

Health Insurance Cards