Who Got Kuwait's First-Ever 15-Year Golden Residency? Meet The Indian Billionaire Behind LuLu Group
Who Got Kuwait's First-Ever 15-Year Golden Residency? Meet The Indian Billionaire Behind LuLu Group Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 11:57 IST Yusuff Ali
Who Got Kuwait's First-Ever 15-Year Golden Residency? Meet The Indian Billionaire Behind LuLu Group Published By, Last Updated: July 15, 2026, 11:57 IST Yusuff Ali News: Kuwaiti authorities said the decision reflects Yusuff Ali's longstanding contribution to the country's economy. Yusuff Ali is one of the Gulf region's best-known Indian-origin businessmen and the founder of the retail conglomerate LuLu Group International. Yusuff Ali News: Kuwait chose Indian billionaire and retail entrepreneur Yusuff Ali as the first recipient of its newly launched 15-year Golden Residency, marking the formal rollout of a long-term visa programme aimed at attracting investors, business leaders and global talent. The honour was conferred on the LuLu Group International chairman and managing director by Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah during a ceremony in Kuwait City. Who Is Yusuff Ali? Yusuff Ali is one of the Gulf region’s best-known Indian-origin businessmen and the founder of the retail conglomerate LuLu Group International.
Born in Kerala, he built LuLu into one of the Middle East’s largest retail chains, with operations spanning multiple countries across the Gulf, Asia and beyond. The group operates hypermarkets, supermarkets, shopping malls and logistics businesses, employing tens of thousands of people worldwide. Over the years, Yusuff Ali has emerged as one of the most influential business figures in the Gulf, with significant investments across retail, hospitality and real estate sectors. Why Did Kuwait Choose Yusuff Ali? Kuwaiti authorities said the decision reflects Yusuff Ali’s longstanding contribution to the country’s economy. LuLu Group has established a strong presence in Kuwait’s retail sector and has played a role in strengthening food supply chains, expanding consumer markets and generating employment opportunities. What Is Kuwait’s New Golden Residency? The Golden Residency is Kuwait’s latest effort to draw investment and skilled talent as it seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil. Unlike traditional residence permits, which are often linked to employer sponsorship and require frequent renewals, the new programme offers longer-term stability and greater flexibility.
According to Kuwaiti officials, the initiative was developed through coordination between the Ministry of Interior, the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) and the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI). What Benefits Does The Residency Offer? The programme offers a renewable 15-year residency permit and is targeted at investors, entrepreneurs, senior executives and highly skilled professionals. Among the key features are long-term residency with fewer renewal requirements, reduced dependence on employer- visas, eligibility for major investors and business leaders and residency benefits that can extend to immediate family members News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered How will Kuwait's Golden Residency impact its economy? Kuwait's Golden Residency program aims to attract investors, business leaders, and global talent to diversify its economy beyond oil. The program offers longer-term stability and flexibility compared to traditional permits. Could other Gulf nations adopt similar residency programs?
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