Residents » Overview » Overview

Kuwait has progressed dramatically over the past forty years, especially over the last five. It is a country in which the most constant thing, apart from the sunshine, is change.

Policies change frequently and you will be shifted from pillar to post when dealing with the government ministries, whether you are getting your residence visa sorted out or arranging your medical tests. You should never assume that because you have read about a policy change in the media, it has actually taken place. With this in mind, the best piece of advice any newcomer should take is that you are a guest in the country; be patient!

A number of bureaucratic procedures still require the presence of the applicant, although in some circumstances the company ‘mandoub’ will be able to arrange all formalities without you tagging along. If you find that the going is getting tough and a little frustrating, a simple smile will help to move things along; voicing a negative opinion will result in further delays. When in the throes of processing your residence and/or work permit, it is sensible to always carry around all the documentation that you could possibly be asked for, just in case.

More of the ministries are moving towards using the internet as a tool to provide a more efficient service. PACI (the Public Authority for Civil Information) has a website where you can renew your Civil ID card, in addition to checking the status of an application.

Remember that Kuwait is not Europe or America, and things are done differently and the bureaucracy is a small price to pay for the pleasure of living here.