Kuwait Suspends Changes to Academic Qualifications and Job Titles for Expat Workers

Arab Times

07-05-2025

KUWAIT CITY, May 7: In a significant policy move aimed at streamlining labor market operations and enhancing transparency in employment practices, Kuwait's Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has announced a temporary suspension on modifying academic qualifications and professional titles for expatriate workers. This moratorium applies specifically to those who have entered the country on work permits or have been transferred from other sectors to the private sector.
This decision is part of a broader effort to regulate employment procedures, prevent abuse of job classification systems, and ensure fair and accurate alignment between a worker's educational background and occupational role. The announcement follows the issuance of Ministerial Circular No. (1) of 2025, signed by the Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Interior, which outlines new directives to promote specialization and prevent mismatches between qualifications and job functions.
Key Provisions of the Circular:
1. Suspension on Qualification and Profession Changes:
The circular specifically halts the processing of requests to modify academic degrees or change job titles for expatriate workers in the following cases:
When such changes involve upgrading to a higher academic qualification that does not correspond to the profession under which the worker originally entered the country.n
When the new qualification or title is inconsistent with the nature of the existing job role, especially in cases where the worker has been transferred from another employment sector (such as government or domestic labor) into the private sector.n
This means that foreign workers cannot upgrade their declared qualifications or request a change in their job titles if the proposed changes imply a significant shift in professional category that contradicts the basis of their initial work permit or visa.
2. Creation of a Unified Job Classification Guide:
To improve clarity and ensure uniformity in job roles across sectors, the circular tasks the Public Authority for Manpower with the development of a Unified Kuwaiti Guide for Job Descriptions and Classifications. This guide will serve as an official reference for:
Defining professional categoriesn
Setting qualification standardsn
Supporting regulatory enforcement in hiring and visa issuancen
Implementing this guide aims to prevent fraud, protect workers' rights, and assist employers in adhering to legally defined job roles and titles.
3. Immediate Enforcement:
The circular stipulates that the new provisions are to be enforced immediately from the date of issuance. All relevant government departments, labor offices, and employers are instructed to comply fully with the new regulations and cease processing any conflicting requests related to qualification or job title changes until further notice.
Implications for Expatriate Workers and Employers:
This suspension may impact expatriate professionals seeking to regularize or enhance their employment status through updated educational credentials or revised job titles. Workers and employers are advised to:
Ensure that work permits are aligned with actual job duties and qualifications from the startn
Avoid submitting qualification upgrade requests until the moratorium is liftedn
The decision underscores Kuwait's commitment to maintaining a disciplined and transparent labor market that prioritizes qualifications-based job placements and legal consistency.