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A big news has come out regarding jobs in Kuwait. Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has revealed that 33,615 citizens of the country have been waiting for jobs for the last six months. The government is now taking new steps to improve the labor market, which will have a direct impact on the expatriates and Indian employees working there.

: Iran gave a big concession to India, Indian ships are passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the road is closed for other countries.

Number of unemployed in Kuwait and their education

According to PAM data, out of the 33,615 people who are unemployed, none of them are taking pension nor studying in any school or college. These include a large number of degree holders. Its complete information can be seen in the table given below:

Visa transfer and new residency rules for expatriates

An important news for Indians and other expatriates is that the government has relaxed the rules for visa transfer. Under the order (Decision No. 2/2026) of Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, visas of expatriates in certain sectors will be able to be temporarily transferred from May to the end of June 2026.

• In which sectors there will be exemption: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Industry, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.
• Condition: For this, approval of the old owner will be required.
• New Residency Law: A new residency law has come into effect from January 2026, which aims to reduce paperwork and simplify the visa process.

Salary Protection System and impact of Kuwaitization

The Kuwait government has launched the ‘Salary Protection System’ to protect the interests of employees. Under this, companies will have to deposit 2% of their monthly payroll in a government fund. If a company goes bankrupt, then the outstanding salary of up to 18 months will be given to the employees from this fund.

Also, the government is now emphasizing on ‘Kuwaitization’ i.e. giving jobs to local people. A quota of 40% Kuwaiti employees has been set for the oil and gas sector by January 2027. The target is to employ 25% of Kuwaiti people in the retail and hospitality sector by December 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the new visa transfer rules for expatriates in Kuwait?

From May to June 2026, visas in specific sectors such as SMEs, agriculture and industry can be temporarily transferred, provided the previous owner consents.

What is Salary Protection System and how does it work?

This is a government fund in which companies deposit 2% of their salaries. This fund guarantees the employee’s salary for up to 18 months in case the company is closed or has no money.