Kuwait Work Visa (2026): Steps, Documents & Civil ID (issued by PACI)

How to get a work visa in Kuwait

1. 1

   Get a job offer and written contract

   The contract should be in Arabic and signed by you and the employer, with one copy for each side and one for PAM. You can ask for a translation in a language you understand. The contract is used to apply for your work permit and residence.

2. 2

   Employer applies for a PAM work permit

   Your employer applies to PAM through its online system. Under PAM Resolution No. 3 of 2024 the work permit fee is KD 150, paid by the employer.

3. 3

   Complete the medical and fingerprint checks

   You complete the medical examination required for residence and give fingerprints at a Ministry of Interior centre when required. You can see your medical test result in the Sahel app.

4. 4

   Residence permit is issued

   The Ministry of Interior issues your Article 18 residence. Under Decree-Law 114 of 2024, ordinary residence permits can be granted for up to 5 years.

5. 5

   Get your Civil ID

   PACI issues your Civil ID, which you need for banking, phone lines and most services. Check the card status on the PACI website or the Sahel app, then collect it. Register a valid home address within 30 days of moving.

Documents you will usually need

• Valid passport
• Signed employment contract (Arabic, with a copy filed with PAM)
• Medical examination results
• Civil number, valid passport and valid residence (for the Civil ID)

Key rules

Permit

PAM work permit + Article 18 residence permit

Residence ID

Civil ID (issued by PACI)

Medical test

Expatriates must pass a medical examination as part of getting residence. The Ministry of Interior lets residents view their medical test results in the Sahel app.

Processing time

No official processing time is published for a new work visa. For a job transfer inside Kuwait, guides estimate 2 to 4 weeks when documents are complete.

Sponsoring family

To sponsor a wife and children (Article 22 family residence), you need a monthly salary of at least KD 800 (Ministerial Resolution No. 56 of 2024). The university degree requirement was removed in July 2024, but your job must match your declared profession. Exceptions may be considered for children under 5 or born in Kuwait. If your salary falls below KD 800, you must fix your status or send your family home.

Changing jobs

You can transfer your work permit to a new private-sector employer after 1 year with your current employer's approval (release), paying a KD 300 transfer fee if you move before 3 years. After 3 years from the permit's issue date you can move without approval, but you must serve your notice period, and fixed-term staff must finish the contract. The new employer files the transfer with PAM. If your contract ends during probation, you cannot transfer and must leave Kuwait. Until the transfer is approved, your current employer still approves your exit permits.

Other residency routes

1. 1

   Long-term residence (10 to 15 years)

   Under Decree-Law 114 of 2024, licensed foreign investors can get residence of up to 15 years, and property owners and children of Kuwaiti mothers can get up to 10 years.

2. 2

   Part-time work permit

   Since February 2024, expatriates already working legally in Kuwait can take a second, part-time job of up to 4 hours a day with their sponsor's approval. Fees run from KD 5 a month to KD 30 a year, applied for online through PAM.

Official portals

• Public Authority for Manpower (PAM)
• Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI)
• Ministry of Interior
• Sahel app (Kuwait Government Online)

Frequently asked questions