Kuwait Sets New KD150 Work Permit Fee for All Sectors, Ends Exemptions

Kuwait has announced a major change in its labour rules. From now on, all work permits will have a fixed fee of KD150. This decision cancels the previous rule that allowed certain companies and sectors to avoid paying these fees based on how many workers they employed.

The new order was announced on Thursday by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al Youssef. It was issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025. This move marks a shift in how Kuwait manages its work permit system, aiming to make it more equal and organised.

The new rule applies to a wide range of sectors. This includes government-owned companies, hospitals and health centres licensed by the Ministry of Health, private schools and universities, and foreign investors recognised by the Kuwait Investment Promotion Authority. It also includes sports clubs, charitable organisations, labour unions, and endowment groups. Even farms, factories, investment firms, small businesses, and real estate operations are now included.

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Until now, many of these organisations were not required to pay the extra fees. But with the new regulation, every work permit issued in these areas will now cost KD150. This change means there will be no more special treatment for specific groups. The aim is to make the process fairer and easier to manage across the board.

The resolution also cancels a previous rule that required the Public Authority for Manpower’s board to carry out a one-year study before the changes could be fully applied. That step is no longer needed, so the new fee rule takes effect without delay.

Officials say the decision is part of a broader plan to tighten control of the labour market and create a more unified system for handling foreign workers.