Kuwait Residency Fee Calculator (Iqama Renewal)

How residency fees work in Kuwait

Every expat in Kuwait pays two government fees to renew a residency (iqama): the residency fee to the Ministry of Interior and the health fee to the Ministry of Health. Both went up on 23 December 2025, when the new rules under the foreigners' residency law came into force. After the renewal, each person also needs a new civil ID card.

Residency fee for you

Ministerial Decision No. 2249 of 2025

Government or private sector job (Articles 17 and 18), and students (Article 23): 20 KD a year
Foreign partners, investors and property owners (Articles 19, 21 and 25): 50 KD a year
Self-sponsored residents (Article 24): 500 KD a year

Residency fee for your family

Wife, husband and children of a worker or student: 20 KD each a year
Wife, husband and children of a partner, investor or property owner: 40 KD each a year
Wife, husband and children of a self-sponsored resident: 100 KD each a year
Parents and other relatives (Article 29): 300 KD each a year, up from 200 KD
Domestic workers of an expat family: 50 KD each a year to renew. Bringing in a third or later worker costs much more (400 KD or more for the first year).

Health fee

Ministry of Health Decision No. 306 of 2025

The health fee is 100 KD a year for almost everyone: you, your wife or husband, each child, parents and domestic workers. Before 23 December 2025 it was 50 KD for adults, 40 KD for wives and 30 KD for children. Workers on farms, fishing boats, herding and dairy companies pay 10 KD. Newborns are exempt for their first four months or until they get a passport.

Civil ID card

The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) charges 5 KD for each new civil ID card, paid online.

Who pays

The law sets the fees but not always who pays them. Many companies pay the residency and health fees for their own workers, and some do not. Check your contract. Fees for your family are paid by you. Untick "Include my own residency" if your company pays for yours.

Example

A private sector worker renews for one year with a wife and two children, and gets four new civil ID cards:

You: 20 + 100 = 120 KD

Wife and 2 children: 3 × (20 + 100) = 360 KD

Civil ID cards: 4 × 5 = 20 KD

Total = 500 KD

What this does not cover

Fines for renewing late, visit visas, entry visas, medical tests and typing office charges are not included. Families of Kuwaiti and Gulf citizens follow different rules, and many of them are exempt from the health fee. Fees can change by ministerial decision, so check the amount on the Ministry of Interior's online service before you pay.

Planning a big expense? See how much you can borrow and your monthly installment.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to renew a residency (iqama) in Kuwait?

For a private or government sector worker, one year costs 20 KD residency fee plus the 100 KD health fee, and 5 KD for the new civil ID card: 125 KD in all. These fees have applied since 23 December 2025.

How much is the health insurance fee for expats in Kuwait?

100 KD a year for almost everyone, including wives, husbands, children, parents and domestic workers (Ministry of Health Decision 306 of 2025). Before 23 December 2025 it was 50 KD for adults, 40 KD for wives and 30 KD for children.

How much is the iqama fee for my wife and children?

For the family of a worker or student, 20 KD each a year, plus the 100 KD health fee each. A worker renewing for one year with a wife, two children and four new civil ID cards pays 500 KD in total.

How much is the iqama fee for parents?

Parents and other relatives (Article 29) pay 300 KD each a year, up from 200 KD, plus the 100 KD health fee each.

Does the company pay my residency fees?

The law sets the fees but not always who pays them. Many companies pay the residency and health fees for their own workers and some do not, so check your contract. Fees for your family are usually paid by you.