Kuwait bars non-compliant companies from new work permits under tightened labour rules

Dubai: Kuwait has introduced new restrictions on work permit applications, barring non-compliant companies from registering new files until they resolve outstanding violations.

The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) announced that Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, issued ministerial resolution No. 1/2025, amending existing labour regulations.

The new amendment adds Clause No. 3 to Article No. 47, preventing companies with unresolved violations from applying for new work permits.

Under the revised regulations, companies with suspended files will be prohibited from registering new files for managers or authorized personnel until their legal status is cleared, according to PAM spokesperson Mohammad Al Muzaini.

Al Muzaini outlined the specific cases that would trigger suspension, including companies with inactive business licenses linked to their file, businesses holding licenses on blocked files, and companies lacking a registered address

The resolution also restricts key business activities for companies with outstanding violations. Affected firms will be barred from adding new licenses, updating existing license details, hiring workers, or submitting labour demand estimates.