Kuwait Receives Over 11,600 Expat Worker Visa Transfer Requests Under New Labor Rules

Kuwait's Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has processed a significant volume of expatriate worker visa transfer requests, totaling 11,654 as of May 23, 2026. These transfers are occurring under new labor regulations that came into effect in November, allowing workers to move between sectors.

The data reveals that the small businesses sector has seen the highest demand for transfers, with 7,016 applications, representing over 60% of the total. This suggests a notable movement of workers seeking potentially better opportunities or stability within this sector. The agricultural sector followed with 2,160 requests (18.5%), indicating a similar trend.

Other sectors also experienced transfers, including the industrial sector with 1,293 applications (11.1%) and the livestock sector with 1,057 applications (9.1%). The fishing sector recorded the lowest number of requests, with only 128 applications (1.1%), attributed to its smaller workforce.

PAM officials stressed that employer approval is a fundamental requirement for all transfer applications. They emphasized the importance of adhering to legal conditions and procedures to safeguard the rights of both workers and employers and to maintain labor market stability. The authority also confirmed that applications not meeting the approved conditions, particularly those lacking employer consent, will be rejected. The transfer system is designed to prevent arbitrary moves and labor market imbalances.