Many long-term expatriate families in Kuwait face a challenging situation when their children pursue higher education abroad. Under current residency regulations, dependents holding family visas must return to Kuwait within six months, or their residence is automatically cancelled unless an extension is approved in advance. This rule, while administratively necessary, has caused emotional distress for parents whose children study overseas — especially when a small oversight or delay results in permanent cancellation of residency and separation from family.

Question: Dear Arab Times, I am an expatriate who has lived and worked in Kuwait for over 25 years with my family. My daughter was born and studied in Kuwait up to the 12th grade, and she is now pursuing her college education in India. In the past, I regularly submitted her bonafide certificate to extend her stay abroad beyond six months, and her residence remained valid. Last year, due to family circumstances, I forgot to submit the extension, and although her residence was renewed in August 2024, the Jawazat later informed me it was automatically cancelled because she did not enter Kuwait within six months. I would like to know if there is any way to reinstate or reapply for her dependent residence, as she is still studying in India, and we wish to reunite her with the family in Kuwait. Please give a thought sir, I am very positive and hopeful that you will make my case with the Governmen,t and some fruitful result will come out.

Answer: That’s a very good and important question, and many long-term expatriates in Kuwait face this same situation when their children study abroad.

Let’s go step by step so you clearly understand your legal position and the possible solutions under the Kuwait residency law.

The Legal Rule (6-Month Absence Rule)

Under Kuwait Residency Law, Article 12 of Ministerial Decision No. 640/1987 states: “The residence permit of an expatriate shall be automatically cancelled if the holder remains outside Kuwait for more than six months, unless prior permission is obtained from the Ministry of Interior before expiry of this period.”

What this means:

A dependent (on family/dependent visa) must not stay outside Kuwait for more than 6 months continuously, or the residence automatically cancels in the system.

An exception can be granted only if the sponsor (you) applies for it before the 6 months expire — for example, with a bonafide certificate or a student letter.

Once the residence is automatically cancelled, Jawazat (Residence Affairs Department / Passport Office) cannot reinstate it through normal renewal.

Why Your Daughter's Residence Was Cancelled

When your daughter stayed outside Kuwait beyond 6 months (June 2024) and you did not file the extension request before that date, the system automatically:

Renewal after cancellation doesn't override the automatic system rule - so when Jawazat later reviewed it, they found the violation and marked it cancelled.

• Once cancelled under this rule, it cannot be reactivated by local Jawazat (Residence Affairs Department / Passport Office).

Your Current Options

Option 1: Reapply for a New Dependent Visa (Most Practical)

• You can now apply for a fresh dependent visa for her again as your daughter (student).
• Even if her old residence was cancelled, she can come back on a new one.

Requirements:

• Copy of your salary certificate and work permit (minimum KD 500-600 monthly, depending on your company sector).
• Attested birth certificate showing she's your daughter.
• Bonafide certificate from her college (Arabic translation + MOFA attestation).
• Passport copy of your daughter.
• Civil ID copy of you and your wife.

Option 2: Humanitarian / Special Permission (Worth Trying)

If you want to try to reinstate her previous residence or seek a special exemption, visit:

Ministry of Interior - General Department of Residency Affairs (Subhan

HQ) Family Residency Section / Director's Office

Take:

• All previous extension papers you received before,
• College bonafide certificate (latest one),
• Passport + old Civil ID copies,
• Draft a short Arabic appeal letter for you to hand over at Subhan (in Arabic or English) explaining the situation - that you have been a resident for 25 years and simply missed one extension due to family circumstances.

Ask for:

"Istithnad' insaanee" (humanitarian exemption) to reactivate or issue a new visa without re-submission.

They sometimes refer the case to the Undersecretary's Office, and if approved, they'll allow the re-entry on the same residency number.

Recommended Plan for You

• Prepare a new bonafide certificate (attested and translated).
• Go first to Mishref Jawazat to confirm if reactivation is possible - ask for "Family Residence Section Supervisor."
• If they say not possible, go to Subhan HQ for humanitarian exemption.
• If still not possible, proceed to apply for a fresh dependent visa for your daughter