The National Assembly’s interior and defense committee approved on Thursday key changes to the country’s residency law, including allowing residents to obtain a maximum 5-year residency, property owners a 10-year residency and investors a 15-year residency, while allowing Kuwaiti women to sponsor their children for a 10-year residency.

The changes stipulate that a resident must leave the country if their residency expires and is not renewed, unless they obtain a new residency permit. According to the amendments, the interior minister has the right to deport expatriates with legal residence permits for security reasons or public interest, or if they don’t have a legitimate source of income. The amendments, which are sponsored by the government, must pass the vote in parliament to become official.