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Kuwait allows switching of commercial visit visas to work permits

21 September 2021

Foreign nationals with commercial visit visas can now transfer to work permits in the private sector, the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) in Kuwait has announced.

This initiative aims to meet the growing demand for manpower by companies in Kuwait.

“This decision is a result of cooperation between PAM and the interior ministry and the ministerial coronavirus emergency committee, which allows those entering the country on commercial visit visas to transfer to article 18 work visas easily,” said Ahmad Al-Mousa, the PAM Director General.

It has been decided to modify the IT systems at both PAM and the Interior Ministry. Work permits would be issued, and depending on that the work visa would be issued. 

This requires approval by the coronavirus emergency committee, after which, the commercial visit visa will be transferred to an Iqama, once the employee arrives in the country.

The discussions were held in schools and institutes regarding transfer of teachers arriving on commercial visit visas particularly as preparations are in swing for the start of new academic year. 

PAM aims to make this procedure easy for all businesses in the private sector, so as to ensure a smooth workflow in health, finance, education and other businesses during the pandemic, said Al-Mousa.

Thousands of expats have left Kuwait this year, and have been unable to return to the country owing to the pandemic. The number of expats too dipped by 56,300 in the first half of this year, making a total of 3.154 million, as per official figures.
 

Robin Vinod

Writer/blogger who writes on topics such as travel, real estate, employment and everyday life on GCC countries.

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