Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior allows expatriates to transfer residency from a work visa (Article 18) to a family or dependent visa (Article 22), subject to compliance with official regulations and documentation requirements. The process involves coordination between the applicant, the current employer, and the new sponsor, typically the husband.

Below is a structured overview of the procedure and requirements.

Required Documentation

Applicants must first prepare all necessary documents through an authorized typing center before visiting the General Department of Residency Affairs (Jawazat) corresponding to their area of residence.

Documents Required from the Wife (Applicant):

• Original passport and photocopy

• Copy of current residency under Article 18

• Civil ID copy

• Marriage certificate duly attested by authorities in the home country, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the relevant embassy

• Recent passport-size photographs

Documents Required from the Husband (New Sponsor):

• Original Civil ID and copy

• Passport copy, including residency page

• Salary certificate in Arabic issued by the employer

• Copy of the work permit (via Ashal or the Public Authority for Manpower)

• Residential lease agreement linked to the PACI address, if requested

Documents Required from the Wife’s Employer:

• Official No Objection Certificate (NOC) approving the transfer

• Cancellation of work residency (Article 18)

• PACI confirmation of residency cancellation

• Company authorization letter

• Presence of the company’s authorized representative (mandoop) throughout the process

Immigration Review and Approval

At the Jawazat office, applicants must obtain a token and submit the complete file for verification. Once reviewed, the application is forwarded to the department manager for approval and stamping. The company mandoop is responsible for handling official interactions, and applicants are advised to remain present during this stage.

PACI Clearance and Residency Cancellation

Following initial approval, the wife’s company representative must visit the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) to obtain clearance and finalize the cancellation of the existing work residency. This step confirms that there are no outstanding obligations related to the previous sponsorship.

Insurance and Fee Settlement

Before final submission, medical insurance must be purchased, and any outstanding government fines or service fees must be settled.

Final Submission and Visa Issuance

All verified documents are then resubmitted to the Jawazat office. Upon payment of the applicable fee (typically KD 20), the family visa is issued. Under normal circumstances, the process takes only a few minutes, depending on the number of applicants.

Civil ID Update

Once the family residency is issued, the applicant must update their Civil ID details through the PACI system by paying the required fee. In most cases, the Mobile ID status is updated within approximately 30 minutes.

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced the opening of SEVEN Tabuk, expanding its entertainment network and supporting the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and regional development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah Al Dawood said the opening represents another step in the company’s strategy to develop accessible entertainment destinations that are closely connected to the communities they serve.

SEVEN Tabuk is the company’s second entertainment destination, following SEVEN Abha, as SEVEN continues its plans to establish destinations across Saudi Arabia.

Located within Tabuk city, the fully indoor, all-weather destination is designed for everyday entertainment, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities without requiring long-distance travel.

The destination operates from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends and from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, while Scene Cinemas operates daily from 4:00 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

SEVEN Tabuk combines international attractions with locally developed concepts. Key offerings include Discovery Adventures, featuring immersive exploration-themed environments, and Hot Wheels E-Karting, an interactive karting experience inspired by the global brand.

The destination also features SEVEN’s homegrown concepts, including Kawaken, Kawaken Junior, GolFi, Cyber Bowling and Scene Cinemas, providing entertainment options for families, young people and a broad range of visitors.

Beyond entertainment, SEVEN Tabuk is expected to contribute to the city’s wider development by supporting local employment and strengthening partnerships with local businesses.

The opening further reinforces Tabuk’s position as an emerging leisure destination in northern Saudi Arabia while expanding access to entertainment experiences across the Kingdom.

Source: SPA

Green spaces and public parks across Makkah are playing an important role in improving the city’s urban environment and creating more comfortable spaces for residents, visitors and pilgrims.

The city has 290 public parks, many of which feature landscaped green areas, safe pedestrian walkways, sports facilities, courtyards, shaded seating areas, service amenities and playgrounds.

These spaces help provide shade, reduce heat absorption from urban surfaces and offer areas for movement, recreation and rest.

The development and maintenance of parks are particularly important in Makkah, which welcomes millions of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors throughout the year.

Expanding landscaping, shaded areas and open pedestrian spaces forms part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrim experience by creating a more comfortable and accessible urban environment.

The parks also complement Makkah’s wider network of services and facilities, supporting the city’s efforts to enhance quality of life while accommodating the needs of its residents and millions of visitors.

Source: SPA

Irqah Village, one of the oldest settlements in Riyadh Region, is showcasing more than 1,000 years of history through its traditional architecture, heritage sites and cultural experiences.

Once a thriving agricultural center, the village developed around mud-brick homes, historic mosques, farms and water sources, creating a distinctive architectural and social identity.

At the heart of the historic village, Bayt Isa recreates aspects of traditional Najdi life through its majlis, cafés, heritage pathways, courtyards and rooftops. The heritage house offers visitors an immersive experience reflecting the architectural style and social traditions of the Najdi environment.

Handicrafts further enrich the experience, with workshops helping revive traditional skills passed down through generations. Local outlets also provide artisans with opportunities to display and sell their work, linking cultural heritage with its social and economic roots.

Since opening, Irqah Village has welcomed more than 15,000 visitors, supported over 50 cottage-industry families and hosted filming by more than 20 production companies.

The village has also generated more than three million digital views and interactions, highlighting its growing popularity and the potential of its heritage spaces for tourism, culture and creative activities.

Source: SPA