Kuwait Drops University Degree Requirement for Family Visa Sponsorship. Kuwait’s Interior Ministry (MOI) has recently made a significant change to its family visa sponsorship regulations, eliminating the university degree requirement for migrants wishing to sponsor their spouses and children. This adjustment is part of a broader effort to streamline the immigration process and accommodate more migrant families in the country.
Resumption of Family Visas Post-COVID-19
In January of this year, the MOI fully resumed the issuance of family (dependent) visas for migrant residents, a process that had been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this resumption initially came with a stipulation: migrant sponsors were required to hold a university degree to be eligible to sponsor their families.
Changes to Sponsorship Requirements
Before this recent policy shift, only migrants employed in certain sectors were exempt from the university degree requirement. Now, this requirement has been entirely removed, opening the door for a larger number of migrants to bring their families to Kuwait.
Despite the removal of the degree requirement, the existing conditions for applying for family visas remain in place. These conditions include:
- A minimum salary requirement of KD 800.
- An exemption from the salary requirement for sponsoring children under the age of five who are either living or born in Kuwait.
Gender-Specific Restrictions
Family visas in Kuwait continue to be primarily available to male migrants. However, there are specific circumstances under which migrant mothers can sponsor their children. These include cases where the husband is deceased, divorced, or has permanently left Kuwait, leaving the wife and children behind.
Impact of the New Regulations
According to the Kuwait Central Statistical Bureau, as of mid-2021, only 13.2% of the total migrant population in Kuwait held a university degree or higher. The recent change in visa regulations has led to a noticeable increase in the number of applicants at the Residency Affairs Departments, as reported by local media.
Conclusion
The removal of the university degree requirement for family visa sponsorship marks a significant shift in Kuwait’s immigration policy. This change is expected to benefit many migrant families, allowing more flexibility and opportunities for family reunification. As the new regulations take effect, it will be interesting to observe their impact on the migrant population and the overall socio-economic landscape of Kuwait.
