Kuwait: Relaxed Employer Transfer Rules in Limited Circumstances

Foreign workers in Kuwait can now change employers before completing one year of employment if:  

• • The employer fails to pay a foreign worker’s salary;  
  • The employer fails to complete the steps necessary for the employee to obtain a work or residence permit;  
  • Due to employer conduct, the employee has a right to terminate their employment contract without notice;  
  • The employer’s file (a profile registered with authorities that contains a company’s labor records) has been suspended or restricted by the authorities; or
  • The employer is found to have submitted an absconding report (a report that alleges a worker has ceased working without permission) maliciously or incorrectly. 

Previously, foreign workers could change employers only after working one year with their current employer, regardless of the conduct of that employer. These changes increase flexibility for foreign workers in cases of employer non-compliance or disputes, while increasing the incentive for employers to adhere to obligations around residency and salary payments. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.