- محمد امام عبد الرحيم
- certified translation, degree attestation Kuwait, Kuwait residency, Kuwait visit visa, Kuwait work visa
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In early August 2026 Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior introduced a fee of KD 150 for converting an eligible visit visa into a regular residency permit, and confirmed that conversion can be done without leaving the country. The decision was published in the official gazette, Kuwait Alyoum, on 2 August 2026. Conversion is not open to everyone: it applies only to five defined situations.
This guide explains who qualifies, who is exempt from the fee, what the decision does not say, and how Egyptians can prepare their degrees and civil documents before they apply.
What did Kuwait change?
According to reports of the ministerial decision, which amends the executive regulations of Kuwait’s Foreigners’ Residence Law:
- A fee of KD 150 applies to converting an eligible visit visa into a regular residency permit.
- Domestic workers and similar categories are exempt from this fee.
- Conversion can be completed without leaving Kuwait, subject to approval by the General Directorate of Residency Affairs.
- The rule applies only in the five situations listed in Article 16 of the executive regulations.
The five situations where conversion is allowed
| # | Situation |
|---|---|
| 1 | Holders of a government visit visa (for a ministry, public authority or government institution) who have a university degree or specialised technical qualification, with approval from the Director General of Residency Affairs |
| 2 | Domestic workers and similar categories (exempt from the fee) |
| 3 | People who entered on a family or tourist visit visa and later become eligible to join a family member’s residency |
| 4 | People who entered on a work entry visa, started residency procedures, left Kuwait for unavoidable reasons for up to one month, and returned to finish the process |
| 5 | Other exceptional cases approved by the Director General of Residency Affairs |
Some reports describe the categories slightly differently, so read the decision text or ask the authority about your own case before you rely on a summary, including this one.
Who is most likely to be affected
For Egyptians in Kuwait, the rule matters most to three groups. Professionals who entered on a government visit visa and hold a degree may be able to move to residency without leaving the country. Spouses and children who entered on a family or tourist visit may convert once they become eligible to join a resident family member. Workers whose residency procedures were interrupted by a short, unavoidable trip abroad may be able to finish them if they return within the month. In each case, approval depends on the Residency Affairs authority, so treat the categories as a starting point, not a guarantee.
What has not been published
- The list of documents required for each category
- The application steps and the portal or office to use
- The timelines for completing procedures
For these points, check the Ministry of Interior’s official channels or ask your sponsor or employer’s government relations department.
Why degrees matter for Egyptians
The first category is the one most relevant to professionals: a government visit visa holder needs a university degree or specialised technical qualification. Qualifications are often checked as part of work and residency procedures, so a clean, consistent set of academic documents matters even before you apply.
Egyptian degree certificates and transcripts are issued in Arabic. Kuwaiti authorities work in Arabic, but employers, professional bodies and some institutions ask for English versions. Check which version each office wants before you order translations.
Documents Egyptians should start preparing
There is no official document list yet for this conversion route, so use this as a practical preparation list and confirm every item with your employer or the authority:
- Passport and the current visit visa or entry stamp
- Degree certificate and transcript (originals), plus any professional licence if your job needs one
- Civil documents if you are joining or bringing a family member: marriage certificate and birth certificates
- Employment documents such as an offer letter or a government entry-visa approval
- Photos and any medical or security forms the authority requests
Some Kuwaiti procedures ask for documents to be attested through official channels before use. Attestation is separate from translation, and the order matters, so ask which steps apply to you before you start. Our guide to the Kuwait degree and job-title rule explains how degree documents are used for Kuwaiti work procedures.
Translation tips for Kuwait applications
- Match names to the passport on every certificate. Egyptian names can be spelled several ways in English, so choose one spelling.
- Translate the whole document, including stamps, seals and handwritten notes.
- Check dates and grades against the original after translation, especially on transcripts.
- Keep originals and translations together and present both when asked.
- Ask the receiving office which translation it accepts before you order one. A certified translation does not replace attestation, and it does not mean any Kuwaiti authority has approved the translator.
A simple plan before you apply
- Confirm your category with your sponsor or the Residency Affairs office.
- Collect originals of your passport, degree, transcript and civil documents.
- Ask which documents need attestation or translation and in what order.
- Prepare and check the translations against the originals.
- Pay the fee only through official channels and keep the receipt.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every visit visa can be converted. Only five situations qualify.
- Paying an agent for a guaranteed conversion. Approval belongs to the Residency Affairs authority.
- Mismatched names or dates between the degree, the passport and the application.
- Translating before you know the format. If the authority asks for a specific format, a translation done too early may have to be repeated.
- Relying on social media summaries. Many posts simplify or change the rule. Use the gazette text or the Ministry of Interior.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to convert a visit visa to residency in Kuwait?
Reports of the decision give a fee of KD 150 for eligible conversions. Domestic workers and similar categories are exempt.
Do I have to leave Kuwait to convert?
According to the reports, conversion can be completed without leaving Kuwait, subject to approval by the General Directorate of Residency Affairs.
Can any visit visa holder convert?
No. Only the five situations in the decision qualify, such as certain government visit visa holders with a degree, family or tourist visa holders who become eligible to join a family member, and some work-visa cases.
Which documents does Kuwait require?
No official list has been published for this route. Ask your sponsor or the authority, and prepare your passport, degree, transcript and civil documents in advance.
Can COT translate my degree and civil documents for Kuwait?
Yes. COT provides certified translation of degrees, transcripts and civil documents. Send your documents on WhatsApp and we will confirm the price and timing before we start.
Preparing documents for Kuwait? COT, Consulting Office for Translation, has provided certified translation in Cairo since 1992, with branches in Maadi, Mohandessin and Downtown and online service across Egypt. Send your degrees and certificates on WhatsApp 01111760177 or call the same number.
This article is for general information, based on press reports of a Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior decision published on 2 August 2026. It is not legal advice. Rules and procedures can change, so confirm the latest requirements with the Kuwaiti authorities or your sponsor before you apply.
