Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Al-Youssef, has enacted Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2025, revising the country's work permit regulations to streamline labor policies and ensure fee standardization.

The latest resolution significantly updates Ministerial Resolution No. 3 of 2024, particularly the mechanisms around permit issuance, worker transfer, and applicable charges. A major revision includes the elimination of Article Two, which previously allowed specific sectors to obtain permits without paying additional fees based on manpower demands approved by the Public Authority for Manpower.

Under the updated structure, a uniform additional fee of KD 150 will now be levied per work permit on a case-by-case basis, regardless of sector. This removes the prior exemption previously enjoyed by several public and private entities.

Entities Affected by the New Fee Structure:

• Government-owned companies
• Ministry of Health-licensed hospitals, clinics, and medical centers
• Private educational institutions including schools, colleges, and universities
• Foreign investors endorsed by the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority
• Sports federations and clubs
• Cooperative societies, charities, labor unions, endowments, and public benefit associations
• Agricultural plots including livestock, grazing, and hunting activities
• Commercial and investment real estate operations
• Industrial and small-scale manufacturing facilities

The resolution also abolishes Article Five, which mandated a one-year impact assessment by the Public Authority for Manpower’s Board of Directors. With this clause repealed, the new system goes into effect without requiring a formal review phase.

Purpose Behind the Regulatory Reform

This strategic move by Kuwaiti authorities is part of a broader effort to standardize employment policies, eliminate inconsistencies in labor permit fees, and boost transparency in the labor market. These changes also align with national efforts to reduce sector-specific dependencies and streamline administrative procedures across public and private entities.