Kuwaiti authorities are preparing to launch a new residency visa for freelancers that will allow foreign professionals to work for themselves without the traditional employer sponsorship (kafala). The plans were announced by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, noting that the initiative is aimed at combating the illegal trade in residency permits and “visa middlemen”.
According to media reports, the annual state fee for the new residency category will be KD 750-1,000 (some publications estimate the equivalent at around $2.45-3.26 thousand), and the launch is expected within the next two months, i.e. tentatively in March-April 2026.
As clarified, the programme may be limited to “simple”/low-risk occupations at first, with pre-requisites including registration of a confirmed residential address, provision of valid contact details and correct personal information. The full list of fields, application mechanics and final selection criteria are to be announced separately by the competent authorities.
The Kuwaiti authorities expect the new scheme to legalise independent employment, reduce grey practices in the labour market and increase budget revenues through direct payment of fees to the state.