Your Complete Guide to
Living in Kuwait

1. 1Ensure your Civil ID is valid. If expired or expiring, renew Civil ID first via PACI or Sahel app.
2. 2Confirm your health insurance is active. From December 23, 2025, residency cannot be renewed without valid health insurance.
3. 3Clear all outstanding traffic fines — unpaid violations block your sponsor's MOI transactions including iqama renewal.
4. 4Your sponsor (employer/kafeel) initiates renewal via MOI eServices portal or Sahel app → Ministry of Interior → Residency Services.
5. 5Pay renewal fee: KD 20/year for Art. 17/18 employees via KNET, credit card or Sahel app.
6. 6If biometrics not updated, book a biometric (Meta) appointment via Sahel app before renewal can complete.
7. 7After approval, collect the updated passport sticker from General Directorate of Residency Affairs in your governorate, or download digital copy via Sahel app.

1. 1Minimum salary of KD 800/month required (tied to profession on iqama) to sponsor spouse and children. Director General may grant exceptions for children under 5 born abroad or in Kuwait.
2. 2Apply via MOI eServices portal for family visit visa first (KD 10/month, max 1 year), then convert to family residency once they arrive in Kuwait.
3. 3Provide attested marriage certificate: attested by Indian Embassy Kuwait → MEA → Kuwait Embassy in India. For children: attested birth certificate following the same chain.
4. 4Each family member must have health insurance before iqama can be processed.
5. 5Annual fee per family member: KD 20/year (spouse & children of private sector employees).

Nine professional categories are exempt from the KD 800 salary requirement — check with your sponsor/PRO for your specific category.

1. 1Visit paci.gov.kw → Civil ID Status Check
2. 2Enter your 12-digit Civil ID number (from old card or application receipt)
3. 3Or use Sahel app → Data section → PACI card status
4. 4If status shows "Ready for Collection", visit your designated PACI office with passport

1. 1Open Sahel app → tap Appointments from the bottom bar
2. 2Tap Book an Appointment
3. 3Select Ministry of Interior from the government agencies list
4. 4Select General Department of Criminal Evidence
5. 5Tap Biometric
6. 6Select nearest branch, choose date & time, tap Book
7. 7Receive confirmation SMS. Arrive 10 minutes early with Civil ID and passport.

1. 1Apply via MOI eServices portal (eservices.moi.gov.kw) or visit your governorate Traffic Department. Select "Issuing a Private Driving License".
2. 2Submit documents and pay application fee. Receive a driving education permit to begin lessons.
3. 3Pass a medical fitness test (vision + physical) at a licensed medical center.
4. 4Complete theory training at an approved driving school and pass the QMC computer test (40 questions on Kuwait traffic rules).
5. 5Book and pass the practical driving test via MOI eServices.
6. 6Pay the license issuance fee + KD 10 printing fee (for expats).
7. 7Collect license from Traffic Department or designated kiosk.

1. 1Visit eservices.moi.gov.kw → Traffic → Driving License → Renew/Replace
2. 2Log in with Civil ID + password. Enter license details.
3. 3Upload: Civil ID copy, passport copy, blue-background photo, employer renewal request letter.
4. 4Pay renewal fee via KNET or credit card.
5. 5Collect new license from designated kiosk/office within 3–5 working days.

1. 1Register at embassy.passportindia.gov.in — create a User ID and fill in the online application form.
2. 2Print the application. Affix photo: 51×51mm, white background, face 80–85% of frame (ICAO standard).
3. 3Visit nearest BLS International Centre in person with printed application + originals + fee payment.
4. 4For Tatkal (urgent): Pay additional KD 45 cash at the Embassy (not at BLS). Tatkal passports dispatched within 3 working days after approval.
5. 5Collect passport from BLS centre or await courier (if delivery service opted).

OCI Card is a lifelong visa for persons of Indian origin who hold citizenship of another country. Apply or renew via BLS centers.

1. 1Apply online at ociservices.gov.in
2. 2Fill the form, upload documents, pay fee online.
3. 3Print application & submit at BLS center with original documents for physical verification.
4. 4OCI must be re-issued when you get a new passport (if issued after age 20), and mandatorily at ages 20 and 50 for minors.

1. 1Apply online at embassy.passportindia.gov.in → select PCC option.
2. 2Print the form, visit BLS center in person with original passport + Civil ID. Physical presence is mandatory.
3. 3For 3rd-country PCC (USA/UK/Canada etc.): must have been in Kuwait minimum 3 years. Provide employment contract attested by Kuwait Chamber of Commerce + Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. 4PCC processed in 5–7 working days. Tatkal PCC available for urgent cases.