Kuwait is preparing to launch a new freelance residency permit that would allow expatriates to work independently, without a traditional employer sponsor.
The move signals a clear shift in how the country manages foreign workers. Instead of tying expats to a single company under the long-standing sponsorship system, the government wants to offer a legal path for independent professionals.
The Freelance Residency Visa is expected to roll out within the next two months.
Kuwait Freelance Visa 2026
Kuwait’s upcoming Freelance Visa will allow skilled foreign workers to live and work in Kuwait independently without a local sponsor. The permit, expected to launch soon aims to reduce visa trading.
Annual Fee Between KD 750 and KD 1,000
The new freelance visa will carry an annual government fee ranging from KD 750 to KD 1,000.
According to Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, applicants should pay the fee directly to the government.
His message was direct. Instead of paying illegal visa traders large sums, pay the state around KD 800 to 1,000.
What this really means is simple. The government wants to stop visa trading and make residency payments transparent and official.
Why Kuwait Is Introducing a Freelance Visa
For years, Kuwait’s labour system has been based on the kafala model. Under this structure, most expats need a local sponsor, usually their employer, to live and work in the country.
That system created loopholes. In some cases, people paid middlemen for visas without real jobs attached. This practice, known as visa trading, became a serious issue.
The new freelance residency permit is part of wider labour reforms. The goal is to regulate the market, reduce illegal practices, and modernise residency rules.
Who Is Likely to Qualify?
The full eligibility for the Freelance Visa have not yet been published. But early signals suggest the visa will target skilled expatriates who can work independently.
This could include:
- Consultants
- IT professionals
- Designers and creatives
- Small business operators
- Other self-employed specialists
Details such as required qualifications, income thresholds, or whether family sponsorship will be allowed have not yet been announced.
Authorities are expected to release executive regulations before the official launch.
How the Application Process May Work
The government has not shared a detailed step-by-step process yet. However, based on current residency procedures in Kuwait, applicants will likely need to submit:
- A valid passport
- Professional certificates or proof of skills
- Required residency forms
Applications are expected to go through official Ministry of Interior channels. Kuwait has been expanding its digital services, so the freelance permit will likely be integrated into the electronic residency system.
Once approved, the applicant will pay the annual government fee and receive the residency permit, which will be renewable under the new framework.
What This Means for Expats in Kuwait
This planned freelance visa could reshape the expat work landscape in Kuwait.
It offers more flexibility for skilled professionals who do not want to depend on a single employer. At the same time, it gives the government tighter control over residency payments and labour compliance.
If implemented as announced, this will be one of the most significant changes to Kuwait’s residency system in years. For independent workers considering Kuwait, the coming months will be worth watching closely.
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