From December 23, all foreigners entering or living in Kuwait must pay health insurance fees, says the Ministry of Health. Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi issued new executive rules under Law No. 1 of 1999. These rules set clear fees for residency and visit visas. They also list who is exempt and special categories for payment. For residency visas, foreigners pay 5 dinars for eight visa types, including government and private jobs, family reunification, study, foreign investment, and temporary work in oil. Visit visa fees follow the private sector health insurance system with nine covered visit types such as government, business, family, medical, tourist, and sports visits. A 5 dinar fee also applies to transit visas and some new categories. Health insurance for residency permits costs 100 dinars for ten categories like employees, foreign partners, students, property owners, and religious figures. Some private-sector workers pay just 10 dinars, including farmers, fishermen, and dairy workers. Domestic workers have special rules: the first three sponsored by Kuwaiti families are exempt; a 10 dinar fee applies from the fourth worker onward. Family reunification visas carry a 100 dinar fee, based on the sponsor’s residency. This covers families of many categories, including government and private employees, investors, students, and children of Kuwaiti women who gained citizenship. Exemptions exist for nine groups, including foreign spouses of Kuwaitis, widowed or divorced Kuwaiti women with children, foreign children of Kuwaiti citizens, parents of Kuwaitis, diplomatic missions, Bedouns, and foreign newborns (exempt for four months). Additional rules clarify that exemptions apply only with specific residency permits. Coverage matches the visa’s issuance date and length, not passport validity. If a residency permit is reissued with an exemption, paid fees will be refunded. These steps ensure a transparent and unified health insurance system for all foreigners in Kuwait, says Minister Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi.