Kuwait requires degree checks for work permits
KUWAIT CITY, April 5: Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) Marzouq Al-Otaibi recently issued a circular approving the implementation of the procedures regarding the academic qualifications and professions of migrant workers, those from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Bedoun workers in terms of the issuance, renewal, and amendment of various types of work permits at labor departments through the Ashal portal for employers or the Sahel Business app.
The Alseyassah/Arab Times obtained a copy of the circular; stating that the workers' academic qualifications have three determinants: educational level like doctorate, master's, bachelor's or diploma; field of specialization like Commercial Law or Biochemistry; and status of the qualification like unrecognized, preliminary recognition, administrative recognition or accreditation based on the Ministry of Higher Education equivalency.
The manual stipulates that the employees' duties include verifying the compatibility between the field of specialization and profession specified in the application, while the educational level and accreditation status are verified through the automated system. The academic qualification attachment is verified only if the system requires the employer to upload it along with the work permit-related application.
For engineering professions, approvals are verified automatically through the system. Applications that do not have the required approval are automatically rejected. An electronic attachment is automatically added to the application to confirm that the employee received approval. For non-engineering professions that require prior approval for permit and work permit services, the employer is required to upload a copy of the approval as an attachment to the application.
Several services are automatically accredited. These include renewing work permits for expatriates, renewing work permits for Gulf nationals and renewing work permits for those residing legally in Kuwait; provided the renewal is for the same profession. These services do not require attachment of approvals or academic qualifications to the application.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
2 hours ago
- Arab Times
Expat Workers Can Appeal Against Unjust Travel Denials by Employers
KUWAIT CITY, June 11: In a move aimed at enhancing the labor environment, tightening oversight of expatriate workforce movements, and safeguarding the rights of both employers and employees, the Kuwaiti government will now require private sector expatriate workers to obtain an official exit permit before leaving the country. The new policy, which mirrors existing regulations for public sector employees, will take effect in early July. According to a statement from the Public Authority for Manpower, the directive was issued through a ministerial circular by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef. Once implemented, expatriate workers will be obligated to submit a formal exit permit application detailing their personal information and intended travel date. The application must be completed using an official form approved by the authority and submitted electronically through a designated platform to ensure efficient processing. 'This measure is intended to streamline the departure process for expatriate workers, ensure compliance with legal requirements, protect the rights of all parties, and minimize unauthorized departures,' a spokesperson for the authority explained. A senior official stated that the regulation applies to all private sector employees holding residency under Article 18. Applications for the exit permit can be submitted via the 'Sahel' app for individuals or the 'Ash'al Manpower Portal' website. Employers are responsible for approving the 'Sahel Business' platform or via the Ash'al portal for private companies. In cases of emergency or where workers do not have access to the Sahel app (such as unskilled laborers) employers may apply on their behalf. The process is available 24/7, and once approved by the employer, the permit is issued instantly with no additional formalities. To address concerns of potential misuse by employers, the official noted that any worker who is unjustly denied travel permission may file a complaint with the Public Authority for Manpower. Appropriate measures will then be taken to resolve the dispute. The source stressed that the new regulation is also intended to help curb visa trading and irregularities in the labor market. By creating a transparent, verifiable database of employer-employee relationships, the authority aims to strengthen labor market governance and ensure accountability across all levels.
Arab Times
12 hours ago
- Arab Times
Emergency Exit Permits For Expats in Kuwait Available 24/7
KUWAIT CITY, June 11: A senior source at the Public Authority for Manpower stated that the recent decision mandating exit permits for private sector workers before travel is aimed at safeguarding the rights of both employees and employers. The source explained that the regulation, which comes into effect on July 1, applies to all private sector workers holding residency under Article 18. According to the source, applications for exit permits can be submitted electronically through multiple platforms, including the Sahel Individuals app (for expats) and the Ashel Manpower Portal. Once a worker applies, the employer must approve it via the Sahel Business app or the Ashel platform designated for private companies under the authority's supervision. The source added that employers are also permitted to initiate exit permit requests on behalf of workers in emergencies or for employees who do not have access to the Sahel application. He emphasized that while the employer holds the authority to approve the exit permit, the process remains simple and accessible. In cases of urgent travel, the service is available 24/7 and is designed to be free of complications.
Arab Times
2 days ago
- Arab Times
Your Highness the Prime Minister, the thread and needle are in your hands. So what's next? Either work or leave
YOUR HIGHNESS the Prime Minister, Your Excellency, the Minister of Finance, and Your Excellency, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, if boosting the gross domestic product is truly a top priority for the state, then it must think outside the box, and avoid recycling outdated solutions. Introducing fees and taxes will not yield results during an economic downturn, especially amid limited commercial activity, the absence of a clear structural development plan in all sectors, and a halt in reforming laws that hinder investment, such as the usufruct law, which still contains several obstacles, along with other legislation needed to stimulate growth in industry, agriculture, and various vital services. Shuwaikh Industrial Area and other industrial zones are clear examples in this regard. I urge His Highness the Prime Minister, along with the Ministers of Finance and Commerce and Industry, to visit these areas and witness firsthand the scale and vibrancy of economic activities being driven entirely by individual efforts, with minimal government involvement, while the government remains occupied with issues that provoke public concern and contribute to social unrest. In Shuwaikh Industrial area, as in all similar areas, there are many activities that attract investors. These businesses operate almost entirely through the efforts of expatriate residents. Citizens are largely absent from these activities, benefiting only through rental income or by investing in licenses issued to them. As a result, a huge portion of profits is transferred abroad. Foreign workers, employees, and investors lack the motivation to remain in Kuwait long-term due to the absence of incentives found in neighboring countries, such as policies that support entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, and ensure economic stability. In countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, investors are offered strong incentives, attracting many Kuwaiti companies to invest there. In contrast, Kuwait ties usufruct rights to the annual renewal of licenses, creating uncertainty for factory and facility owners and discouraging them from investing in development. Therefore, the Council of Ministers should focus on utilizing the labor force represented by stateless residents (Bedoun) and those whose citizenship has been revoked, rather than relying solely on decisions to revoke citizenship and suppress creativity. To be clear, I am not referring to those who lost their citizenship due to fraud or dual nationality. I hope the government encourages the Bedoun residents and those whose citizenship has been revoked to work in these areas, and makes them feel secure, so they can spend their money inside Kuwait. I suggest the government offer investors the option to purchase industrial and commercial plots during a specific grace period, similar to the system in Saudi Arabia, or will become a fair partner in the rental value. This approach would kill two birds with a stone. Also, Saudi Arabia provides tax incentives for industrial, agricultural, and renewable energy projects. It is true that in recent years, some parliamentary blocs have attempted to obstruct development under flimsy pretexts, but their real aim was to secure a 'share of the cake' or fuel disputes between MPs and ministers. Today, ministerial positions have largely stabilized, giving ministers significant potential to drive development and amend obstructive, outdated laws enacted during previous National Assembly terms. Indeed, several laws need reconsideration, and Kuwait must break free from the constraints imposed by the stagnation of innovative ideas that encourage investment and the growth of the national economy. We have repeatedly stated that undeveloped land holds little value unless facilities are established on it and profitable production is achieved. Only then does its value increase significantly. Moreover, trademarks gain importance as indicators of economic strength and stability. Unfortunately, in Kuwait, these matters are often treated as if they were mere market transactions, rather than issues of national significance. Your Highness the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers can no longer claim any excuse for failing to develop the economy. The Cabinet now holds 'the thread and the needle' in its hands and has full control over the process. The Council today combines both legislative and executive powers. Therefore, either work or leave!
