Jobs in Kuwait for expats
Who applies for what, the documents you need to bring, and where to find current openings.
Last checked: November 2026. Rules and fees change. This page is a general guide, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm the current requirements on the official portal before you travel or pay for anything: Kuwait Government Online: Private Residence Article 18
To work in Kuwait's private sector as an expat you need an employer in Kuwait to sponsor you. The employer obtains a work permit for you from the Public Authority for Manpower, you enter on a work entry visa, and you then receive a private-sector residence under Article 18, with the application signed by your sponsor.
The process
- Job offer from a Kuwaiti employer. The employer is your sponsor for the work permit and the residence.
- Work permit. Issued by the Public Authority for Manpower on the employer's application.
- Work entry visa. Issued for private-sector employment on the basis of the work permit. Your passport must be valid for at least two years.
- Residence under Article 18. After you arrive, the residence application is submitted with your documents and signed by the sponsor.
- Civil ID registration. Register within a month of the residence stamp. The portal lists a KD 20 fine for registering late.
Documents to prepare for the first residence
- Your original passport and the work entry visa you used to enter.
- A criminal record certificate from your country, authenticated by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Kuwait, translated if it is not in Arabic, and valid for three months from the date of issue.
- A medical fitness certificate.
- A health insurance certificate.
- Personal photographs.
Start the criminal record certificate early. Authentication takes time, and the certificate is only valid for three months.
Your rights at work
Private-sector employment in Kuwait is governed by Law No. 6 of 2010 on labour in the private sector, and the Public Authority for Manpower regulates work permits and transfers between employers. Ask for your contract in writing and keep a copy.
Protect yourself
- Do not travel to work on a visit visa on the promise that it will be changed later. Ask for the work permit details first.
- Be careful with anyone who asks you to pay for a visa or a job offer.
- Keep your own passport and a copy of your contract.
Questions people ask
Can I get a work visa for Kuwait without a job offer?
No. A private-sector work visa is issued on the basis of a work permit that your employer obtains from the Public Authority for Manpower, so you need an employer in Kuwait to sponsor you.
What is Article 18 residence in Kuwait?
It is the residence for expats employed in the private sector. The application is signed by the sponsor and needs the work permit, a medical fitness certificate, a health insurance certificate and an authenticated criminal record certificate.
How long must my passport be valid to work in Kuwait?
The official portal asks for a passport valid for at least two years for a private-sector work entry visa.
Jobs and salaries in Kuwait · Jobs in Bahrain for expats · All career guides