676 Expat Workers Apply for Visa Transfer on Day One

Kuwait has taken a significant step towards enhancing labor mobility and addressing critical workforce needs with the launch of a new visa transfer program. On its very first day, the initiative saw an impressive 676 applications, signaling a strong demand from workers eager to transition into vital sectors of the economy.

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Kuwait’s Public Authority for Manpower has received 676 applications on the first day of a newly opened visa transfer allowing workers to move into previously restricted sectors (small and medium enterprises, industry, agriculture, livestock, and fishing).

The Public Authority for Manpower's decision to open up previously restricted areas—including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), industry, agriculture, livestock, and fishing—is a strategic move. This program, operating under a special exemption that bypasses the need for original employer approval, temporarily suspends certain restrictive regulations. It demonstrates a clear commitment from the government, under the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, to foster a more dynamic labor market.

This initiative is particularly noteworthy for its focus on sectors that are crucial for Kuwait's economic diversification and self-sufficiency. By facilitating the movement of workers into SMEs, agriculture, and fishing, Kuwait aims to bolster these industries and reduce reliance on foreign labor in specific, often challenging, roles. The flexibility offered to workers currently in restricted categories is a welcome change, providing them with new opportunities and pathways.

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The move temporarily suspends provisions of Ministerial Resolution No. 9 of 2016 and Public Authority for Manpower Resolution No. 842 of 2015, which typically restrict such transfers.

From our perspective at the Arab Times, this development is a positive indicator of Kuwait's adaptive economic policies. While international coverage might focus on broader economic trends, for us, the immediate impact on the ground—the tangible opportunities created for thousands of workers and the potential boost to key domestic industries—is what truly matters. This program reflects a pragmatic approach to labor management, balancing market demands with the welfare and aspirations of the workforce.

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The decision, issued under the directives of Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, aims to support labor mobility and address workforce shortages in key sectors.