What is Visa 20 in Kuwait? A Simple Guide
Visa 20 in Kuwait is a residence visa specifically for foreign domestic workers, such as maids, drivers, and household helpers. It allows individuals to legally live and work in Kuwait under the sponsorship of a Kuwaiti citizen or resident. The visa is governed by the Executive Regulations of the Foreigners’ Residence Law. In this simple guide, we’ll cover the process of obtaining Visa 20 and its benefits and limitations.
Table Of Content
- 1 What is Visa 20 in Kuwait
- 2 How to get Visa 20 in Kuwait via Sahel App
- 3 How to Obtain Visa 20 in Kuwait through Recruitment Offices
- 4 Visa 20 Issuance Offices in Kuwait
- 5 Requirements for Obtaining a Visa 20
- 6 Nationalities Allowed to Obtain Visa 20
- 7 Eligibility Criteria for Visa 20
- 8 Benefits of Visa 20
- 9 Limitations and Restrictions of Visa 20
- 10 Questions & Answers
- 11 References
What is Visa 20 in Kuwait
Visa 20 in Kuwait is a residency permit granted by the Ministry of Interior, specifically for foreign domestic workers. This visa is issued to individuals who are employed in domestic roles such as maids, drivers, and household helpers. Once the worker arrives in Kuwait, the necessary procedures for finalizing their residence permit are carried out according to the country’s regulations.
How to get Visa 20 in Kuwait via Sahel App
To apply for Visa 20 in Kuwait through the Sahel app, follow these simple steps: [1] [2]
- You can download Sahel App through the following links:
- Sahel App From Google Play: “From here“.
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- Sahel App From App Store: “From here“.
- Open the app on your mobile device.
- Enter your civil ID number in the provided field.
- Complete the verification process and click on the login button.
- Approve the authentication request via the Kuwait Mobile ID app.
- Finish logging into your user account.
- Navigate to the “Services” section at the bottom of the app.
- Select “Ministry of Interior” from the list of service providers.
- Choose the “Domestic Work Visa Issuance” service.
- Enter the required information and submit your application.
- Wait for approval from the Ministry of Interior before the visa is issued.
How to Obtain Visa 20 in Kuwait through Recruitment Offices
To obtain Visa 20 in Kuwait through a recruitment office, follow these steps:
- Ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready.
- Visit a licensed recruitment office that handles foreign worker applications.
- Submit your application and sign the employment contract with the office.
- Wait for the office to process your visa application and complete the required procedures.
Visa 20 Issuance Offices in Kuwait
Here’s a list of Visa 20 issuance offices across Kuwait, where you can process domestic worker recruitment procedures:
| Office Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Abdeen Domestic Worker Recruitment Office | Capital – Qibla – Block 2, Fabric Market |
| Abdul Hadi Mubarak Al-Rashidi Recruitment Office | Hawally – Tunis Street |
| Absher Domestic Worker Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Accreditation Institute for Recruiting Domestic Workers | Hawally – Ibn Khaldoun Street |
| Ahlani Worker Recruitment Center | Jahra – Avenue 2 – Bader Al-Sumait |
| Al-Abdali Domestic Worker Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Aqila – Mecca Mall |
| Al-Baraha Domestic Worker Recruitment Office | Hawally – Ibn Khaldoun Street |
| Al-Iman Foundation for Recruiting Domestic Workers | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Al-Kharinj International Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Al-Nakhtha International Recruitment Office | Hawally – Tunis Street |
| Al-Zamrodah Recruitment Company | Hawally – Ibn Khaldoun Street |
| Al-Aqila Worker Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Aqila – Road 103 |
| Al-Areen National Recruitment Office | Hawally – Street 16 |
| Al-Jawhara Domestic Worker Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Al-Maha Worker Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Al-Nakheel Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Al-Raya International Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street – Al-Muhallab Real Estate |
| Al-Tasahol Domestic Worker Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Ali Hamad Al-Anzi Recruitment Office | Hawally – Salmiya – Al-Awazem Street, Avenue 4 |
| Ali Hassan Shaddad Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Awatif Mohammed Al-Barjas Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Ayed Mohammed Al-Ajmi Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street – Al-Muhallab Real Estate |
| Ayman Al-Najada Worker Recruitment Office | Hawally – Tunis Street |
| Barak Qwaizi Al-Azmi Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Classified Worker Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Dar Al-Khair Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh |
| Distinguished Trust Center for Domestic Workers | Hawally – Opposite Ibn Khaldoun Complex, Ibn Khaldoun Street |
| Domo Recruitment Office | Hawally – Tunis Street |
| Eidah Marzouq Al-Azmi Recruitment Office | Hawally – Ibn Khaldoun Street |
| Fahd Hamad Al-Anzi Recruitment Office | Hawally – Salmiya – Al-Awazem Street, Avenue 4 |
| Faisal Yasser Al-Fadli Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Fatima Ammar Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Fayez Fayhan Salem Al-Otaibi Recruitment Office | Jahra – Street 2 – Mutlaq Dokhin Complex |
| Fazaa Domestic Worker Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Golden Business Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Aqila – Al-Durra Complex |
| Gulf Consultant Recruitment Office | Hawally – Street 112 |
| Gulf Domestic Workers Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Hamad Al-Zaabi Recruitment Office | Hawally – Ibn Khaldoun Street |
| Hamoud Shaim Al-Azmi Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Hilal Taha Zahir Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh |
| Kazma Domestic Workers Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Khalifa Khaled Al-Azmi Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Kuwait Gateway Establishment for Domestic Workers | Hawally – Tunis Street |
| Kuwait International Recruitment Office | Hawally – Salmiya – Hamad Al Mubarak Street |
| Kuwait Pioneers Recruitment Office | Hawally – Street 16 |
| Madar Domestic Worker Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Manal Al-Ali Domestic Worker Office | Hawally – Abdullah Abdul Latif Al Othman Street |
| Manila United Recruitment Office | Hawally – Tunis Street – Abdul Wahab Al Saqr Complex |
| Masoud Zayed Al-Mutairi Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Mohamed Kamal Domestic Worker Office | Hawally – Tunis Street |
| Nader Hamad Al-Mones Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Nafeh Mohammed Al-Anzi Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Nass Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Nobel Domestic Workers Recruitment Office | Hawally – Abdullah Abdul Latif Al Othman Street |
| Noor Ahmed Alawi Al-Qahtani Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Noor Al-Huda Domestic Worker Office | Hawally – Ibn Khaldoun Street |
| Nouf Burjas Bandar Recruitment Office | Jahra – Street 2 – Mutlaq Dokhin Complex |
| Platinum International Recruitment Office | Jahra – Abdul Latif Al Habashi and Partners |
| Recruitment Office for Ethiopian Workers | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Royal House Recruitment Center | Capital – Qibla – Ahmed Al Jaber Street |
| Saad Dhaham Al-Ajmi Domestic Worker Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Salah Al-Shamri Recruitment Office | Hawally – Ibn Khaldoun Street |
| Secretariat Worker Recruitment Office | Ahmadi – Fahaheel – Mecca Street |
| Sidra Domestic Worker Recruitment Office | Farwaniya – Habib Munawar Street |
| Sultan Corner Recruitment Office | Jahra – Ain Jalut Street |
| Tamkeen Recruitment Office | Hawally – Ibn Khaldoun Street |
| The First Union Domestic Worker Office | Hawally – Salmiya – Al-Awazem Street |
| Trust Center Recruitment Office | Hawally – Street 108 |
Requirements for Obtaining a Visa 20
To obtain Visa 20 in Kuwait, the following requirements must be met:
- Complete the entry application form.
- The sponsor must fall under one of these categories:
- Kuwaiti citizens
- Foreign women who are divorced or widowed from a Kuwaiti citizen and have children from him
- Kuwaiti women married to a non-Kuwaiti
- Families with a Gulf citizen as the breadwinner, provided they are settled in the country
- A copy of the sponsored person’s valid passport (minimum validity of two years).
- A copy of the sponsor’s civil ID.
- A recent salary certificate for government employees or a copy of the foreign sponsor’s work permit.
- A copy of the employment contract.
- If the domestic worker will work as a driver, a copy of the foreigner’s driving license.
Nationalities Allowed to Obtain Visa 20
The following nationalities are eligible to obtain Visa 20 in Kuwait:
- Philippine
- Indian
- Sri Lankan
- Nepali
- Bangladeshi
Eligibility Criteria for Visa 20
To be eligible for Visa 20 in Kuwait, the following conditions must be met:
- A Kuwaiti citizen must act as the sponsor.
- The applicant must belong to one of the nationalities approved for Visa 20.
- A valid job offer from a Kuwaiti sponsor is required.
- The applicant must have a clean record with no criminal history.
- The applicant must meet the age requirements set by the authorities for Visa 20.
Benefits of Visa 20
Visa 20 holders in Kuwait are entitled to several benefits, including access to all financial rights provided by law for domestic workers. These rights include health insurance, regulated working hours, an end-of-service gratuity, and the ability to sign a formal contract with the sponsoring employer.
Limitations and Restrictions of Visa 20
Visa 20 in Kuwait comes with several limitations, such as:
- Restricted Employment: Holders of Visa 20 are only permitted to work in specific sectors, such as domestic services, including roles like drivers or housekeepers.
- Sponsor Dependency: The individual holding a Visa 20 is bound to their sponsor and cannot change employment or leave without the sponsor’s approval.
- Limited Benefits: Compared to other visa types, Visa 20 holders have fewer benefits and rights.
Conclusion
Visa 20 in Kuwait provides a legal pathway for foreign domestic workers to live and work under Kuwaiti sponsorship. While it offers key benefits like health insurance and regulated working hours, it also imposes restrictions on job roles and sponsor dependency. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify.
Questions & Answers
Visa 20 is a residency permit for foreign domestic workers, like maids and drivers, enabling them to legally live and work in Kuwait under a Kuwaiti sponsor's oversight.
To be eligible, the applicant must be from an approved nationality, have a job offer from a Kuwaiti sponsor, and meet the age and good conduct requirements.
Visa 20 holders are entitled to financial rights, health insurance, regulated working hours, end-of-service gratuity, and a formal employment contract with their sponsor.
Visa 20 is available to nationals from the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
You can apply for Visa 20 through the Sahel app or by visiting an approved recruitment office in Kuwait.
Applicants need a valid passport, a sponsor’s civil ID, a signed employment contract, and, if applicable, a driving license for those working as drivers.
Visa 20 holders are generally tied to their sponsor and cannot change employers or leave without the sponsor's approval.
Visa 20 holders are restricted to working in domestic roles like housekeeping or driving and have fewer benefits compared to other visa types.
Visa 20 is typically valid for a period of two years and can be renewed if the employment contract is extended.
Visa 20 is specifically for domestic workers and does not allow them to sponsor family members to join them in Kuwait.