Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) is reopening short-term work visa services which last for less than a year. This new policy led by Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Minister of Interior, aims to meet the immediate labour needs of the public sector in Kuwait. This article outlines the short-term work visa of Kuwait, application requirements, and recent changes in the country’s visa policies.
Know about Short-term Work Visa in Kuwait
It provides an avenue for foreigners who want to work on government projects in Kuwait for up to less than a year. It enables the use of the public sector when there is an urgent need for labour to avoid rigid, long-term commitments. PAM reported it on X (formerly Twitter) as another step by the government to manage the short-term workforce better.
Requirements
- Valid Passport: Expired less than six months ago.
- Visa Application: Fill out the application from the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Passport Photo: A passport-size photograph taken within the last six months.
- Medical Requirements: HIV/AIDS test result and health certificate from a recognized doctor stating that he is free of diseases and has good health.
- Police Clearance Certificate: Proof of being on a good record from police.
However, on submission of the application, the candidate with receive an NOC to enter Kuwait.
Applying for a Kuwait Work Visa
To apply for a Kuwait Work visa follow the steps:
- Employer Action: Your employer sends your work permit application to the Kuwaiti embassy in your country of origin.
- Embassy Visit: If no embassy is found, they give the permit and NOC to the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait.
- After obtaining the NOC, enter Kuwait and apply for a residency visa.
Recent Amendments in Work Visa Policies
Kuwait has updated its 2023 visa policies as flexible for foreign workers:
- From July, foreign domestic workers are allowed to change jobs from domestic to private work.
- Starting July 14, government employees with a one-year service record shall be allowed to transfer into the private sector, with corresponding transfer fee and employer’s approval.
- Re-entry was allowed for Filipino workers in June after Kuwait lifted its ban on them due to labor improvements.
Indian Workforce
- Indians constitute 30% of the workforce in Kuwait and about 21% of the 4.2 million population that is of Indian origin.
- They work in sectors such as engineering, healthcare, IT, and business.
- But 61 percent of Indian workers are in labor-intensive jobs, including carpentry, masonry, and driving, which begin at about $300 a month.
- Drivers for heavy vehicles and domestic workers received a little higher wages.
- These were set by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, as well as the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Punjab, to which emigration rates from India are particularly high for Kuwait.
Conclusion
Kuwait has recently renewed short-term work visas for government projects. This has created a new avenue for foreign workers in addressing the urgent needs of the public sector. It shows that Kuwait is adopting a flexible approach to managing its workforce for short-term.
