Kuwait: National Service Law Amended by New Decree

Kuwait has issued a new decree amending the national military service framework, updating eligibility rules, exemptions and procedural requirements.

Kuwait Decree‑Law No. 9/2026 introduced amendments to Kuwait Law No. 20/2015 on Military National Service. The Armed Forces said the update aims to resolve legislative and procedural gaps that had caused delays in processing cases and handling situations not covered under the original law. Under the amendments, national service will apply to all Kuwaiti males turning 18, starting with those born on 1 January 2012, while those born before that date are exempt. Any procedures taken in violation of this cutoff will be cancelled.

The amendments also ensure that employed conscripts retain their salaries, allowances and bonuses throughout their service, with the service period counted toward total employment years. Additional provisions include exempting an only son, extending the registration deadline from 60 to 180 days, and granting firefighters employed by Kuwait Oil Company the same exemptions as those given to the Kuwait Fire Force. The National Military Service Authority is now authorised to assign conscripts to the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Interior, the National Guard and the Kuwait Fire Force.

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Kuwait: New Freelance Residency Scheme

Arab Times, 16 February 2026: Kuwait has announced a new freelance residency category, set to launch within two months, with fees ranging between KD 750 and KD 1,000.

Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior announced a broad package of labour‑market reforms, including the introduction of a new freelancer residency permit designed to curb visa trading and offer a regulated framework for independent workers. The permit will carry government fees ranging between KD 750 and KD 1,000, and is expected to be implemented within the next two months.

Strict penalties would be imposed for labour‑law violations, especially where workers are found operating outside their authorised sponsorship. Employers were warned that violations could trigger criminal action, and authorities have been directed to streamline procedures and expand communication channels to support compliant companies.

Last year, 39,000 illegal workers were deported following intensified inspections targeting unlawful employment and residency breaches. Parallel measures were also announced, including inspections of nurseries, delivery‑app companies, and health institutes operating in violation of labour rules, as well as upcoming regulations for subcontracting arrangements involving foreign entities.

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Kuwait: Central Bank Cuts Daily Cash Cap at Exchange Firms

Arab Times, 2 February 2026: Kuwait’s central bank has tightened controls on cash transactions by sharply reducing the amount exchange companies may accept from customers each day.

The Central Bank of Kuwait lowered the maximum daily cash amount that exchange firms may accept from a customer to KD 1,000, down from the previous ceiling of KD 3,000. The restriction applies to all customer dealings, including foreign remittances and the buying or selling of currencies, and took effect as part of strengthened supervisory measures.

Under the directive, exchange companies are prohibited from accepting cash payments exceeding the new limit, or its equivalent in foreign currency, from any customer in a single day. The regulator clarified that the decision does not impose a cap on the overall value of transfers or currency transactions. Any amount above the KD 1,000 cash threshold must instead be settled through bank account deductions or other non‑cash payment methods approved by the central bank.

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Kuwait: Cabinet Approved Amendments to Civil‑Service Law

Significant amendments to Kuwait Law No. 28/2016 amending Certain Provisions of Kuwait Decree-Law No. 15/1979 on the Civil Service gave been approved to strengthen administrative efficiency, improve public‑sector performance, and modernise workforce management.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, the Civil Service Council have endorsed a package of amendments aimed at raising efficiency within Kuwait’s administrative system and aligning state management with modern governance standards. The amendments have been designed to enhance the optimal use of human resources while improving the quality and consistency of public services.

The reforms have focused on reinforcing productivity, linking job‑related incentives to actual performance, and strengthening the principles of job justice and equality across the civil‑service structure. The changes also introduce stronger mechanisms for oversight, accountability, and unified recruitment policies, ensuring that organisational inconsistencies will be addressed more systematically.

The amendments have promoted the use of automated assessment systems and information‑driven decision‑making tools, enabling government agencies to evaluate employee performance through modern, data‑supported methods.

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Kuwait: Health Sector to Implement Unified Employee ID System

Arab Times, 19 January 2026: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health moved to unify employee identification across all public and private healthcare facilities after issuing a ministerial decision standardising official work IDs, seals, correspondence and digital applications.

A regulatory framework governing the design and use of official ID cards for medical, paramedical, pharmaceutical and administrative staff has been approved. The standardised IDs must follow unified specifications for basic data, photographs, fonts and links to electronic access systems, including sensitive facility areas.

The decision also harmonised official correspondence—paper and electronic—and mandated a uniform logo for all communications and digital platforms. Administrative leaders and healthcare‑facility managers has been tasked with oversight and with reporting violations immediately.

A six‑month transitional period, extendable to ten months, has been set to allow institutions to implement the new requirements gradually.

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Kuwait: New Residency Law Aims to Modernise Labour Market

Arab Times, 12 January 2026: Kuwait has introduced a new residency law designed to streamline work permits and enhance labour market flexibility as part of its economic modernisation agenda.

Kuwaiti government announced reforms under a new residency law that will simplify procedures for foreign workers and employers. The law seeks to reduce bureaucratic delays, improve transparency in employment contracts, and align residency rules with international best practices.

Officials stated that the changes aim to attract skilled talent, support private sector growth, and curb illegal employment practices. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that implementing regulations will follow, detailing compliance requirements for businesses and workers.

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Kuwait: Government Launches GCC Customs‑Link System to Enhance Trade Control and Security

Gulf Press, 4 January 2026: Kuwait launched the first phase of its electronic customs‑link project with the GCC Customs Union Authority on 2 January 2026, aiming to modernise customs procedures, accelerate the movement of goods and improve regional oversight.

The General Administration of Customs announced that the new system enables the secure digital exchange of customs‑declaration data and supporting documents between all GCC member states. Authorities stated that the platform is not merely a digitisation exercise but a strategic step toward a unified, transparent and interoperable customs framework across the region. The system is being deployed through the Gulf network under the regulatory framework previously approved by the GCC Customs Union Authority.

Officials said the initiative will standardise customs procedures, reduce administrative burdens for traders and shorten clearance and shipment‑release times at ports of entry. Enhanced data‑sharing capabilities are expected to strengthen risk‑management measures, support auditing and verification processes, and improve detection of smuggling and other illicit trade activities. The project aligns with Kuwait’s broader digital‑transformation goals and forms a key pillar of its efforts to improve operational readiness and supply‑chain efficiency throughout the GCC.

Inspection visits at key customs points—including the Nuwaiseeb land border and terminals at Kuwait International Airport—were conducted to assess technical readiness and ensure that the upgraded system balances efficiency with high security standards. Authorities reiterated that enhanced coordination among GCC customs agencies will help safeguard national economies while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

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Kuwait: New Residency Rules for Expats Come into Force

Arab Times, 22 December 2025: Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior will introduce comprehensive new residency rules for expatriates from 23 December 2025, aiming to streamline procedures and enforce stricter controls.

Kuwait has issued Ministerial Resolution No. 2249/2025, which brings into effect updated executive regulations under the Decree‑Law on the residence of foreigners, starting 23 December 2025. All categories of entry and visit visas will incur a standard fee of KD 10 per month.

Domestic workers must now return to Kuwait within four months or risk cancellation of their residence permit unless an official exit permit is obtained. Additionally, newborns of expatriates must be registered within four months of birth. Failure to do so will result in fines starting at KD 2 per day for the first month, increasing to KD 4 per day afterwards.

New age restrictions for domestic workers will also be enforced: sponsors can bring in workers aged between 21 and 60 only. The entry visa must be requested by the employer.

Kuwait is introducing a residence-entry visa for foreign investors under Kuwait Law No. 116/2013, administered via the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). Successful applicants may receive residence permits for up to 15 years, subject to Council of Ministers guidelines and KDIPA support.

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