Visa 20 to Visa 18 Transfer: New Policy Effective July 14 to September 12

KUWAIT CITY, July 6 — A major shift in the regulation of domestic workers in Kuwait has taken place with the issuance of a new directive by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah. This decision introduces new conditions and fees for transferring domestic workers from Visa 20, which is designated for domestic work, to Visa 18, which applies to employment in the private sector.

Key Points of the Decision

Article One: Eligibility and Conditions
Domestic workers currently employed under Visa 20 will be eligible to transfer to the private sector under the following conditions:

• Employer Approval: The domestic worker must obtain explicit approval from their current employer, under whose sponsorship they are registered.
• Minimum Residency Period: The domestic worker must have lived with their current employer for a minimum of one year.
• Transfer Fee: A transfer fee of 50 Kuwaiti Dinars (KD) will be charged. Additionally, an extra fee of 10 KD will apply for each year of service completed with the current employer.

Article Two: Temporary Suspension of Previous Regulations

• Suspension of Clause No. 9: The decision temporarily suspends Clause No. 9 of Article One in Ministerial Resolution No. 57/A of 2016, which previously governed certain aspects of worker transfers.
• Suspension of Article No. 10: Article No. 10 of Administrative Resolution No. 842 of 2015, also related to the transfer of domestic workers, is temporarily suspended for the duration of this new directive.

Article Three: Implementation Timeline The directive will come into effect on July 14, 2024, and will remain valid until September 12, 2024. It has been published in the Official Gazette, and relevant authorities have been instructed to enforce its provisions accordingly.

Impact of the New Regulation

This directive represents a significant change in the regulation of domestic worker transfers within Kuwait. By establishing clear conditions and a standardized transfer fee, the government seeks to simplify the process while maintaining compliance with existing legal frameworks. The introduction of a specific time frame for the regulation shows the government’s intent to monitor and potentially reassess the impacts of these changes.

For domestic workers seeking to transition into the private sector, the decision offers a structured pathway, albeit with conditions that must be met. Employers in the private sector may now have access to a new pool of workers, while domestic workers could benefit from a broader range of employment opportunities.

This development is expected to be closely observed by both employers and workers, as it could influence labor market dynamics within Kuwait during the outlined period. All parties involved are advised to stay informed about the detailed provisions to ensure full compliance.