2 months in, Kuwait’s 60+ residency fee cut brings relief to thousands of expats

By Alena Vinod

KUWAIT: A significant policy change in Kuwait has brought relief to nearly 98,000 expatriates over the age of 60, who can now renew their residencies without facing the burden of a KD 800 fee. Implemented late last year, the new measure is already making a tangible difference in the lives of long-term residents. "I no longer fear being separated from my wife,” said a 70-year-old expatriate, who asked to remain anonymous, speaking to Kuwait Times.

Restrictions on residency permits for expatriates over 60 who held only a secondary school certificate or less were first introduced in August 2020. At the time, the Public Authority of Manpower introduced a ban preventing the renewal of work permits for these individuals. Since then, the policy has undergone several revisions.

In 2021, senior expatriates were allowed to renew their permits by paying a KD 2,000 fee, which was later reduced to KD 500, along with an annual health insurance cost of up to KD 700. By January 2022, the fee had further decreased to KD 250, though the total cost, including non-refundable health insurance, still exceeded KD 800 annually. Kuwait finally lifted the restrictions in November 2024.

The fees caused significant hardship for expatriates who could not afford them, leading many to leave the country. For those who remained, the financial burden became overwhelming.

When Islam, a 62-year-old IT Director, first learned about the new regulations, he knew he faced a difficult situation. Having lived in Kuwait since the 1970s, he felt disheartened by the new requirements.

Now, with the fee reduced, he can allocate around KD 300 to other essential expenses, providing greater financial stability for his family. He also took advantage of the three-year residency renewal option, which has eased both paperwork and procedural burdens.

Previously, the financial strain of managing two rent payments – one for his apartment in Kuwait and another for his son’s home in Jordan – weighed heavily on him. Balancing these costs alongside mounting bills, including his son’s university fees, was very difficult. Yet, he managed to get by with the help of generous friends and family.

The fee reduction has not only provided him with much-needed financial relief but has also lifted his spirits. After 60 years of living and working in Kuwait, he now feels his long service has finally been acknowledged.

The words of Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, who offered words of consolation for expatriates burdened by the fee, struck a deep chord with Islam. "There are expatriates who were born in Kuwait or have spent most of their lives here, serving the country with honesty and integrity. They deserve our gratitude and respect at the end of their service,” said Sheikh Fahad at the time.

KD 2,520 in fees

Sayed, a 62-year-old driver, had been living in Kuwait with his family for over 14 years when the restrictions were first imposed. He paid KD 1,680 to cover his residency permit fees — a challenge for someone earning less than KD 300 a month.

Similarly, Mohammed, a 63-year-old cleaner who renewed his residence permit three times while the restrictions were in place, had to cough up KD 2,520 over the years.

Both men received assistance from their employers, who paid half of the amount, but that did little to ease their financial burdens. The question of whether they should send their children abroad or leave Kuwait entirely weighed heavily on them. Still, they managed to scrape by, relying on loans and their savings. Now with the loosened restrictions, they could cover their household expenses and keep their family close.

In some cases, the burden was further exacerbated by personal crises. A 70-year-old clerk, who lost his government job just as the restriction was implemented, found himself without any source of income to pay the fees. Kuwait Times is withholding his name at his request. This situation caused him significant stress. Initially, he struggled to find a new job, with his age becoming a barrier as many employers were hesitant to hire him. With his children studying abroad, he had to borrow money from friends to cover his expenses. He spent countless sleepless nights worrying about the future, uncertain whether his children would be able to support his potential move to another country.

The lifting of the restrictions brought a sense of stability to his life, allowing him to remain in Kuwait surrounded by his family and friends. "I am very grateful that the nation considers our needs,” he said.