Kuwait

For the spouse and children of someone already resident in Kuwait. The resident family member sponsors you, and the residency is tied to their status - like all Kuwaiti residency it is fixed-term, with no permanent residence for expatriates.

For foreign investors licensed under Kuwait's foreign-investment law, who can be granted a long-term residency of up to around 15 years. Important: even this long tier is renewable fixed-term residence, not permanent residence - Kuwait grants none to expatriates.

For foreign nationals who own qualifying real estate in Kuwait, who can be granted residency of up to around 10 years. As with every Kuwaiti residency, this is renewable fixed-term residence, not permanent residence.

Residency options for investors and self-employed.

For foreign students enrolled at a recognised educational institution in Kuwait. The residency is study-linked and fixed-term, and as with all Kuwaiti residency there is no permanent residence for expatriates.

For people employed by a Kuwaiti government or public-sector body. The government entity sponsors your residency, and as with all Kuwaiti residency it is fixed-term and sponsor-tied - there is no permanent residence for expatriates.

For people taking a private-sector job in Kuwait. Your Kuwaiti employer sponsors you and the residency (the Iqama) is tied to that job. Note up front: Kuwait has no permanent residence for expatriates, and every residency here is fixed-term and sponsor-tied.