Kuwait Ends Fee Exemptions for Work Visa Transfers
The new resolution modifies provisions of Ministerial Resolution No. 3 of 2024, specifically targeting the mechanism for issuing work permits, the transfer of workers recruited under these permits, and the applicable fees. A major change includes the repeal of Article Two of the 2024 resolution, which previously exempted certain activities and sectors from paying additional fees for work permits based on manpower needs, as approved by the Public Authority for Manpower.
Under the revised regulations, an additional fee of KD 150 will now be charged for each work permit granted on a case-by-case basis, eliminating earlier exemptions.
The revised fee structure will apply to the following sectors and entities:
Government-owned companies
Hospitals, clinics, and medical centers licensed by the Ministry of Health
Private universities, colleges, and schools
Foreign investors accredited by the Investment Promotion Authority
Sports clubs and federations
Public benefit associations, cooperative societies, labor unions, charities, and endowments
Licensed agricultural plots, including activities such as hunting, livestock pens, sheep and camel grazing
Commercial and investment properties
Industrial facilities and small-scale industries
Additionally, the resolution abolishes Article Five, which had required the Public Authority for Manpower's Board of Directors to conduct a one-year impact study on the implementation of the 2024 decision. This move effectively cancels the need for a formal review and recommendation process previously mandated by the board. The decision reflects a broader effort by Kuwaiti authorities to standardize labor market practices and enhance regulatory oversight across the public and private sectors.
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