Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has officially reopened work visas for short-term government contracts lasting less than a year. This decision is aimed at addressing the nation’s labour needs.
This announcement, made last week, is part of an initiative directed by Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah, the first deputy prime minister, minister of defence, and minister of interior. The reactivation of these work visas will facilitate temporary government projects, providing greater workforce flexibility in the public sector.
To apply for a work visa in Kuwait, prospective applicants will need to submit several key documents. These include a valid passport with at least six months until expiration, a completed visa application from the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a passport-size photo, and medical documentation including an HIV/AIDS test result and a health certificate confirming freedom from contagious diseases.
Additionally, applicants must provide police clearance to demonstrate no criminal record. Upon submission of these documents, applicants will receive a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC), allowing them entry into Kuwait. Once in the country, they must apply for a residency visa and obtain a Kuwait Civil ID within 30 days.
Kuwait is home to a significant Indian workforce, comprising approximately 21 per cent of the total population of 4.2 million, with Indians making up nearly 30 per cent of the country’s labour force. Indian nationals in Kuwait work across diverse sectors such as engineering, healthcare, IT and business. The Indian government, in coordination with states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab, has established minimum referral wages for Indian workers abroad, with wages in Kuwait set between $300 and $1,050 per month based on job category.
This year has seen Kuwait implementing several updates to its work visa policies. In July, new regulations permitted foreign workers in the domestic sector to transfer to private-sector jobs, a move aimed at enhancing labour mobility within the country. Workers in the government sector can now transition to the private sector after meeting certain conditions, including a year of service with their current employer and payment of a transfer fee.
