New Launch - India Real Estate Report 2026.
Kuwait has awarded its first 15-year Golden Residency to Indian billionaire Yusuff Ali, chairman of Lulu Group International, under the country's newly launched long-term residency programme aimed at attracting foreign investment. The move marks a symbolic milestone for the scheme, with one of the region's most prominent business figures becoming its inaugural recipient.
Who Presented the Residency
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah personally presented the residency to Ali, describing the initiative as a key step toward attracting high-quality investment and strengthening Kuwait's position as a regional business and investment hub. He said the Golden Residency reflects Kuwait's commitment to creating a stable, investor-friendly environment that allows businesses to operate with greater confidence while supporting the country's long-term economic development.
What the Programme Offers
Kuwait unveiled the Golden Residency programme on June 15, 2026, allowing eligible foreign investors and their immediate family members to obtain residency permits valid for up to 15 years. The scheme also extends eligibility to accredited senior executives and approved partners linked to investment entities operating within Kuwait, broadening its reach beyond individual investors to key personnel driving those investments.
- Recipient: Yusuff Ali, Chairman, Lulu Group International
- Residency duration: up to 15 years
- Programme launch date: June 15, 2026
- Eligible groups: foreign investors, immediate family members, senior executives, approved investment partners
- Presented by: Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah, First Deputy PM and Minister of Interior
Part of a Broader Regional Trend
Kuwait's move follows a wider pattern across the Gulf, where countries have increasingly rolled out long-term residency schemes to compete for foreign capital and skilled talent. Sheikh Al Sabah added that the government will continue updating its regulations and procedures to keep pace with evolving economic needs, suggesting the programme's criteria and scope could evolve further as Kuwait works to position itself alongside other regional hubs offering similar long-term residency incentives.
Also Read: Kuwait Invests $10 Billion in New AI Infrastructure Company
Why This Appointment Matters
As one of the most recognisable names in Gulf retail and business, Ali's selection as the programme's first recipient carries symbolic weight beyond the residency grant itself, signalling the kind of high-profile investor Kuwait hopes to attract through the scheme as it seeks to establish itself as a leading regional investment destination.
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