Kuwait Implements Standard Work Visa Fee of KD150 for All Sectors

Kuwait has announced a major update to its labour regulations, ending fee exemptions for work visa transfers and introducing a standard fee of KD150 for each work permit across most sectors.

The change was formalised under Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025, announced on Thursday, June 6, by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al Youssef. This move aims to tighten control over labour practices and eliminate special treatment previously granted to certain industries.

Key Changes at a Glance

• The exemption provisions in Article 2 of the 2024 resolution have been revoked. Previously, some sectors benefited from fee waivers based on staffing needs approved by the Public Authority for Manpower.
• All work permits now attract the KD150 fee, regardless of sector.
• Article 5 of the 2024 resolution, which required a one-year impact assessment before implementing new fees, has been abolished, allowing for swifter enforcement without further review.
• These amendments also modify the earlier provisions under Ministerial Resolution No. 3 of 2024, simplifying procedures and standardising fees for work permit issuance and transfers.

Sectors Now Subject to the KD150 Fee
This new flat rate applies to a wide range of organisations, including:

• Government-owned entities
• Hospitals, clinics, and medical centres licensed by the Ministry of Health
• Private universities, colleges, and schools
• Foreign investors approved by the Investment Promotion Authority
• Sports clubs and federations
• Charities, associations, labour unions, and cooperatives
• Licensed agricultural activities such as livestock and grazing
• Commercial and industrial properties
• Small-scale industries

Previously, these sectors were exempt from additional fees based on staffing needs, but under the new policy, the KD150 fee will be applicable universally.

A Step Towards Labour Market Uniformity
This initiative forms part of Kuwait’s broader efforts to standardise labour regulations and promote fairness across sectors. The fixed fee of KD150 per permit aims to close regulatory gaps and treat all employers equally when it comes to managing foreign labour. The removal of the impact assessment requirement indicates a move towards faster, more centralised decision-making, ensuring more efficient governance of the labour market.