Transfer rules changed several times in 2024–2026. Here's where they stand now.
The two main routes
- After 1 year, with the current employer's approval (Administrative Decision 375/2021).
- After 3 years, without approval. Notice still applies. A fixed-term contract must be completed.
Special cases
| Case | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Government sector → private | Allowed | Resolution 11/2024 (from 20 Oct 2024) |
| Government contract → private | Contract ended, government letter, 1 year served, employer approval, KD 350 fee | Resolution 8/2024 (from 3 Nov 2024) |
| SME worker | Same sector after 1 year with approval. To the same owner's other SME with no wait, for KD 300 | Resolution 12/2024 |
| Aged 60+ without a degree | Standard fees only (the KD 250 fee was cancelled) | Resolution 12/2024 |
| Restricted sectors | Window was 1 May–30 June 2026 only | Resolution 2/2026 (closed) |
| Early transfer (under 1 year) | PAM can approve if the employer was negligent, the employer's file is blocked, a false absence report was filed, Art. 48 was breached, or there is a closure or bankruptcy | Decision 680/2026 |
Step by step (employer receiving a transfer)
- Check that your PAM file is active and free of violations.
- Kuwaitization requirements vary by sector.
- Confirm the worker's route: 1 year with approval, 3 years, or an exception.
- The current employer approves on Asahel, if needed.
- Submit the transfer on Asahel and pay the fees shown.
- Check the applicable residency and health-insurance charges on the official portal. The standard annual private-sector residency charge is KD 20 and KD 100/year is the separate standard health-insurance planning amount; reduced or exempt categories apply, and KD 120 is not a complete fee schedule for every expatriate.
- Add the worker to your working-hours schedule on PAM (Resolution 15/2025).
Watch-outs
- Company file and licence: A company with an inactive licence, a licence on a suspended or closed file, or no registered address cannot register new files, add licences, update licence data, add workers or estimate labour needs until it regularises its status (Ministerial Resolution 1/2025).
- Exit permits. From 1 July 2025, Article 18 private-sector expatriate workers need employer approval on Sahel for an exit permit, valid for 7 days. This rule is not extended to every resident or employment sector (Circular 2/2025).
- Job title: From 2 June 2026, the qualification or profession may be changed if the qualification, job title and actual work are compatible (Circular 1/2026). Residency renewals and transfers are checked against the qualification registered on the original permit, so ensure the job title matches before any transaction. Compatibility between the qualification, job title and actual work must be proven, and employers must regularise any mismatches.
- Absence reports. A false report can now free the worker to transfer and mark the employer as "defaulting" (Decision 680/2026).
- Fees. Trust only the amount shown on Asahel or Sahel.
Job-title FAQ
Can an employee change job title after arriving? Yes, from June 2026, provided the qualification, job title and actual work are compatible (Circular 1/2026).