Latest news with #MinisterialResolutionNo.4
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
No more visa fee waivers: Kuwait imposes standard KD150 charge across all sectors
Photo: Pexels In a significant overhaul of its labour market framework, Kuwait has officially ended fee exemptions for work visa transfers, introducing a standard KD150 charge for each work permit issued across a wide range of sectors. The policy change was enacted under Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025, announced on Thursday, June 6, by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al Youssef. The move marks a major shift in Kuwait's approach to labour regulation, aimed at tightening oversight and eliminating preferential treatment for specific industries. Key repeals and new requirements At the core of the change is the repeal of Article 2 of the 2024 resolution, which had previously allowed exemptions from work permit fees for certain sectors, depending on manpower requirements approved by the Public Authority for Manpower. With the exemption lifted, all work permits issued under previously exempted categories will now incur the KD150 fee, assessed on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, Article 5 of the 2024 resolution has been abolished, removing the requirement for the Public Authority for Manpower's Board of Directors to conduct a one-year impact assessment before implementing the fee structure. This eliminates the need for any further formal review or recommendation process. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo These adjustments also modify earlier provisions under Ministerial Resolution No. 3 of 2024, further streamlining the issuance and transfer of work permits and standardising related fees. Sectors now affected by the KD150 fee The newly standardised fee applies to a broad spectrum of public and private sector organisations, including: Government-owned companies Hospitals, clinics, and medical centres 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, charities, endowments, labour unions, and cooperative societies Licensed agricultural operations, including hunting, livestock pens, sheep and camel grazing Commercial and investment properties Industrial facilities and small-scale industries Previously, these sectors were exempted from paying additional fees, contingent on staffing needs evaluated by the Public Authority for Manpower. A broader push for labour market standardisation The new fee structure is part of Kuwait's wider effort to unify labour regulations and eliminate inconsistencies across sectors. The KD150 fee will now apply uniformly to each work permit issued or transferred, regardless of sector or employer classification. By scrapping exemptions once granted to entities like hospitals, schools, agricultural operations, and charitable organisations, the government aims to close regulatory loopholes and ensure equal treatment in how foreign labour is managed. The repeal of Article 5, previously mandating a one-year impact study, also signals a move toward faster implementation of reforms without further delay or discretionary reviews, reinforcing a shift to more centralised and uniform oversight.
Gulf Insider
4 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Ends Fee Exemptions For Work Visa Transfers
Kuwait has revoked longstanding fee exemptions on work visa transfers, introducing a new, standardised KD150 charge for each permit issued in a major move to tighten labour market oversight. Under a ministerial resolution announced Thursday by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al Youssef, the government repealed Article 2 of last year's regulations, which had allowed certain sectors to avoid additional permit fees based on manpower requirements. The changes, issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025, represent a significant shift in the country's approach to work permit management. The new rules apply to various sectors and organisations, including government-owned companies; hospitals, clinics, and health centres licensed by the Ministry of Health; private universities and schools; foreign investors accredited by the Investment Promotion Authority; sports clubs and federations; and public benefit associations, labor unions, charities, and endowments. They also cover licensed agricultural operations, industrial facilities, commercial and investment properties, and small-scale industries. With the repeal of the previous exemption, all work permits in these categories will now incur an additional KD150 fee, assessed individually for each permit granted. The move eliminates preferential treatment for specific sectors and is part of a wider strategy to standardise fees and processes for foreign labour. The resolution also abolishes a requirement for the Public Authority for Manpower's Board of Directors to conduct a one-year impact study of the 2024 decision, ending the need for formal review and recommendation prior to full implementation.
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
New rule adds KD 150 fee to work permits and worker transfers
KUWAIT CITY, June 4: First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef issued Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025, amending Resolution No. 3 of 2024. The changes affect work permit procedures, worker transfers, and fees. The new resolution cancels Article Two of Resolution No. 3 of 2024, which exempted certain sectors from paying additional fees for work permits based on need and approval by the Public Authority for Manpower. With the cancellation of this article, all previously exempted entities must now pay an additional KD 150 fee for each work permit, whether for new employment or worker transfers. Entities affected include government-owned companies; hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities licensed by the Ministry of Health; private universities, colleges, and schools; and foreign investors approved by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority. Other affected sectors are sports clubs, federations, public benefit associations, cooperatives, labor unions, charities and endowments, agricultural plots licensed by the General Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries, hunting, livestock pens, grazing operations, commercial and investment real estate, industrial establishments, and small industries. The resolution also cancels Article Five of the 2024 decision, which required the Public Authority for Manpower's Board to prepare a study on the resolution's impact within one year and submit it, with recommendations, to the relevant minister. The new resolution signals a significant policy shift toward standardizing fees and tightening control over labor permit issuance and worker transfers across both public and private sectors.
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait Ends Fee Exemptions for Work Visa Transfers
KUWAIT CITY, Jun 4: Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Al-Youssef, has issued Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025, introducing key amendments to the country's work permit regulations. 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.
