Kuwait Sees Licensing Growth in Traditional and Freelance Business Sectors
A total of 5,940 companies were established during the quarter. This surge is attributed to a series of administrative reforms implemented by the Ministry aimed at simplifying licensing procedures, minimizing regulatory steps, and eliminating redundancies in the process of setting up and managing businesses.
According to official data, commercial licensing activity saw a significant boost across multiple categories. Company licenses rose 21.3% to 8,390 from 6,919 in Q1 2024, while applications under processing increased to 514.
In the segment of personal company formation, the Ministry received 14,000 applications. Of these, 8,287 were rejected, 705 were approved, 641 were canceled, and 4,526 companies were successfully established. An additional 705 are in the process of being established.
Conversely, licensing activity for special-purpose companies recorded a sharp decline. Only 38 licenses were issued in the first quarter of 2025—a 97% drop compared to 1,660 licenses issued in the same quarter last year. Despite the decline, the Ministry processed 56 applications, resulting in the establishment of nine companies, with six licenses currently in issuance.
Freelance Sector Sees Major Expansion
The freelance and micro-enterprise segment experienced robust growth, fueled by regulatory changes introduced in August 2024. The Ministry reported a 227.25% surge in new licenses for micro and freelance enterprises, rising to 1,453 from 1,000 in Q1 2024. Currently, 42 licenses are in the process of being issued.
Of the 1,649 freelance business license applications submitted, 1,449 were rejected, 705 were approved, and 1,405 companies were established. A further 114 are in the process of formation. This growth reflects the Ministry's move to support independent professionals and small-scale entrepreneurs through simplified licensing for 175 defined activities that do not require commercial premises.
Licenses in this category, valid for four years, can be obtained via the Single Window Administration, the "Sahel" or "Sahel Business" mobile platforms, or other approved channels.
The Ministry also mandated that all freelance license holders clearly display their license number on their business accounts across electronic and social platforms, and conduct all transactions exclusively through electronic payment methods.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
20-07-2025
- Arab Times
Improper storage, labeling land Kuwait cooperatives in trouble
KUWAIT CITY, July 20: The committee tasked to follow up on the implementation of Ministerial Resolution No. 31/2025 conducted a field inspection tour with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In a press statement, Committee Chairman and Cooperative Supervisor Yousef Al-Jafour revealed that the inspection of cooperatives in Farwaniya and Hawally governorates resulted in the issuance of several judicial seizure orders against cooperatives proven to have violated the resolution, particularly Article Eight, which is related to cleanliness and quality. He said the violations include poor storage of agricultural products that led to spoilage and the formation of molds, in addition to improper display methods and the failure to replenish goods regularly. He affirmed that the confiscated items will be referred to the Investigations Department at the Ministry of Interior, and then to the Misdemeanor Judge, indicating the fine may reach KD500. He stressed the need to put labels showing the country of origin, weight, and price to avoid violations. He explained that Law No. 24/1979, amended by Law No. 118/2013, grants the Ministry of Social Affairs the authority to monitor the work of cooperatives. He stated that 'Ministerial Resolution No. 46T/2021 stipulates gradual progression of penalties, ranging from a warning to the suspension of transactions and the labor file at the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM).' He also disclosed that intensive monitoring, since the issuance of Administrative Resolution No. 1650/2025 on supporting the promotion of local products, resulted in a decline in violations and an increase in the percentage of local vegetable purchases from 46 percent in June 2024 to more than 70 percent at present. He added the ministry is studying a new mechanism to enhance the prioritization of local products in cooperatives, as per the directive of Assistant Undersecretary for Financial, Administrative and Cooperative Affairs Dr. Sayed Issa.
Arab Times
20-07-2025
- Arab Times
Employer Delaying Your Exit Permit? File A Complaint Now
KUWAIT CITY, July 20: Under Circular No. 2/2025 issued recently by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf requiring expatriate workers in the private sector to obtain exit permits from their registered employers before leaving the country (effective from the beginning of this month), more than 100,000 exit permits have been issued to private sector expatriate workers since the implementation of the decision. Sources said the exit permits are processed through the automated systems of PAM, Ashal platform, and Sahel app, indicating the total number of issued permits is expected to double in the coming days as the travel season gains momentum. Sources disclosed that in order to streamline the process and ensure faster completion of travel procedures, the authority completed an automated link with the Ports Directorate General at the Ministry of Interior, thereby ensuring the immediate sharing of exit permit data. Sources added PAM recommends that workers print a hard copy of the permit before traveling, in case it is requested by the airlines. Sources also affirmed that only a small number of complaints regarding permit issuance have been received so far -- mostly concerning employer delays or refusal, which were promptly addressed and resolved. Sources clarified that in cases where an employer is unreasonably withholding or delaying approval, the affected worker is advised to visit the Labor Relations Unit corresponding to their company's file to lodge a formal complaint, under legal procedures. They reiterated that approval from the employer remains a requirement for the permit to be issued. Sources also quoted PAM as saying there is no limit to the number of exit permits that can be issued annually per worker, as long as the employer approves, adding that the system remains open and unrestricted in this regard. Sources explained that the time needed to obtain a permit ( especially in emergencies) depends primarily on the speed of employer approval. 'Therefore, workers are advised to submit their requests well in advance of their travel dates and to coordinate directly with their employers in urgent situations to expedite the process,' sources elaborated. Sources pointed out that workers can either print the approved permit or present it through the Sahel Individuals app to port authorities. They said the Sahel Individuals app enables workers to submit electronic exit permit requests, while the Sahel Business app allows employers to review and approve these requests quickly and conveniently.
Arab Times
20-07-2025
- Arab Times
More Love, More Loss? Kuwait's Marriage & Divorce Numbers Revealed
KUWAIT CITY, July 20: Kuwait witnessed a notable 10% increase in marriages in 2024, according to the Ministry of Justice's latest statistical yearbook. A total of 14,639 marriages were recorded, up from 13,303 in 2023—an increase of 1,336 marriages. Among these, 10,564 involved Kuwaiti couples. Divorces also edged upward. The number of divorces that occurred in the same year of marriage rose by 8.3%, from 710 in 2023 to 769 in 2024. The overall divorce rate also increased by 3.9%, with total cases reaching 8,168, up from 7,865 the year before. University graduates accounted for the highest share of divorce cases, with Ahmadi Governorate reporting the highest regional divorce rates. Breakdown of Marriages in 2024 1. Nationality Kuwaiti couples made up 72.2% of all marriages. Non-Kuwaiti couples represented 14.9%. Marriages between Kuwaiti men and non-Kuwaiti women accounted for 9.6%. Marriages between non-Kuwaiti men and Kuwaiti women stood at 3.3%. 2. Educational Background Among husbands, 44.1% held university degrees, followed by diploma holders (21.7%), secondary school graduates (19.1%), and intermediate-level education (11%). Among wives, 55.6% had university degrees, followed by secondary school (23.2%), diploma (13.6%), and intermediate-level education (4.8%). 3. Age Distribution Most husbands were aged 25–29 years (40.2%), followed by 30–34 years (21.3%), and 20–24 years (15.3%). Wives were mostly aged 20–24 years (32%), followed closely by 25–29 years (31.2%) and 30–34 years (12.9%). Ratification Cases and Trends Ratification cases rose from 1,285 in 2023 to 1,348 in 2024—a 4.9% increase. Marriages involving a Kuwaiti husband and a non-Kuwaiti wife were the most common in ratification cases, comprising 59.1% of the total. Statistically, the annual average number of marriages over 2020–2024 stood at 14,212, with a standard deviation of 1,358. The crude marriage rate rose from 276 per 100,000 people in 2023 to 294 in 2024—a 6.5% rise. This equated to 2.9 marriages per 1,000 people in 2024. Marriage Projections for 2025 The Ministry forecasts an annual average of 14,776 marriages in the future, with a 95% confidence interval predicting figures between 12,952 and 16,601 for 2025. Divorce Trends and Demographics 1. Nationality Kuwaiti couples accounted for 62.5% of all divorce cases. Non-Kuwaiti couples made up 17.3%. Divorces between Kuwaiti husbands and non-Kuwaiti wives represented 13.9%. Cases involving non-Kuwaiti husbands and Kuwaiti wives were 6.3%. 2. Duration of Marriage 33.8% of divorces occurred within 1–5 years of marriage. 19.7% occurred between 10–20 years. 18.7% between 5–10 years. 17.3% were within the first year. 10.5% involved marriages lasting over 20 years. 3. Educational Background Among husbands: 32.7% of divorced men had university degrees, followed by intermediate (20.9%), secondary (20.1%), and diploma holders (19.8%). Among wives: 44.4% were university graduates, followed by diploma holders (20.8%), secondary school graduates (19.5%), and intermediate-level education (10.5%). 4. Age Distribution - Husbands aged 45+ made up 29.8% of divorce cases. - Other groups included 30–34 years (19.8%), 35–39 years (16.7%), and 25–29 years (16.6%). - Wives aged 25–29 years represented the highest divorce rate at 20.5%, followed by 30–34 years (19.6%), 45+ (17.9%), and 35–39 years (17.3%). 5. By Governorate The highest rates of divorce among wives were recorded in: Hawalli (19.1%) Ahmadi (18.7%) Ahmadi (18.7%) Farwaniya (17.7%) Capital Governorate (15.3%) Types of Divorce First revocable divorces: 56.5% (up 4% from 2023) First irrevocable divorces: 28% (up 4.2%) Second revocable divorces: 9.4% (up 0.5%) Second irrevocable divorces: 2.5% (up 23.2%) Third irrevocable divorces: 3.6% (down 3%) Divorce among couples with remaining wives increased by 2.6%, from 1,252 cases in 2023 to 1,285 in 2024. Divorce Types Certificate-based divorces: 73.6% (up 3.5%) Mukhala (mutual separation): 19.1% (a sharp 145% rise) Court-judgment-based divorces: 7.3% (down 57.8%) Divorces Before Consummation Rose from 600 in 2023 to 633 in 2024, a 5.5% increase. Medical Referrals The report also recorded a 6.1% increase in medical referrals for marital issues, from 1,083 in 2023 to 1,149 in 2024. Most cases (63.7%) involved Kuwaiti couples.
