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Kuwait Hikes Expat Hiring Fees to Push More Nationals Into Private Jobs

New rules raise costs for firms hiring expats, nudging them to choose Kuwaiti workers instead.

  • Publish date: Friday، 29 August 2025 Reading time: 1 min read
Kuwait Hikes Expat Hiring Fees to Push More Nationals Into Private Jobs

Kuwait just made it pricier for private companies to hire expats for jobs that locals can do. The move is part of the country’s big “Kuwaitization” push—aka encouraging firms to hire more Kuwaiti citizens and depend less on foreign workers.

Part of Vision 2035

The plan ties into Kuwait’s Vision 2035 strategy, which is all about diversifying the economy and getting more young Kuwaitis into the private sector instead of relying on government jobs. Officials say the effort will be backed by new laws, training programs, and financial incentives.

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Addressing the Drawbacks

The shift won’t be easy—many Kuwaitis still prefer public sector jobs thanks to perks like shorter hours, job security, and better benefits. To bridge the gap, authorities plan to work on narrowing wage differences, revising labor support, and introducing mandatory internships to better prep students for private roles.

Protecting Workers, Boosting Opportunities

The Public Authority for Manpower has also launched a Labour Relations Department to protect workers’ rights and is offering more incentives for companies that open up jobs for nationals. Officials believe this will give Kuwaiti youth more space to innovate in key industries like banking, real estate, and finance.

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