Insurance is an important part of ensuring that in case of any mishap, one is covered financially. And the Kuwait authorities have announced a significant increase in health insurance fees for expats. This is effective from December 23rd, 2025, as revealed in a report of the Kuwait Times. The decision by the Health Ministry amend the executive regulation of Law No. 1/1999, which is on health insurance for foreigners.
Kuwait Announces Mandatory Health Insurance For Expats
Standardising and raising the annual health assurance fees that are required for obtaining or renewing residency permits and certain visas, the move comes into effect on December 23rd. Yes, it has been raised to KWD100 for most categories, which was previously set at KWD50. As it happens, under a new regulation, as mentioned in a report of The Times of India, foreigners who apply for residency will have to pay a KWD5 health insurance fee for eight visa types. This includes employment in both the government and private sectors, family reunification, study, foreign investment, commercial or industrial activity, temporary government contract, and temporary work in all sectors.
More Information About The Insurance Fees
For a visit visa, however, fees would follow the private sector health insurance system. Yes, nine types of visit permits are covered in this. This includes government visits, family visits, private visits, business visits, medical treatment visits, tourist visits, multiple-entry visits, social or cultural visits, and sports-related visits. A KWD5 fee applies to transit visas, entry for transport drivers, emergency visas, and the newly introduced category.
As previously mentioned, the health insurance for a residency permit is at KWD100 for 10 categories. These include government and private sector employees, self-sponsored foreigners, foreign partners and investors, property owners, religious figures like Imams, farmers, stateless residents who now hold foreign passports, and newly established residency categories.
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More Information Regarding The Insurance
As such, certain private sector workers, however, specifically benefit from reduced fees. Agricultural workers, sheep or camel herders, employees of dairy companies, and fishermen pay only KWD10 under Article 18 of the law. As per the report, domestic workers who are sponsored by Kuwaiti families are exempt. But this is only for the first three employees. Fourth worker onwards, they have to pay a KWD10 Fee.
Finally, on a concluding note, it’s worth stating once again that all foreigners entering or living in Kuwait will now have to pay a health insurance fee from December 23rd. So, take note of the categories and check the official government sources for more information and update relating to the same.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Anson Fernandez Dionisio from Getty Images & kamitana from Kamitana_studio
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