Kuwait is preparing to roll out a regulated freelance visa as part of broader efforts to restructure its labour market and end the long-running trade in residency permits.
The plan, unveiled by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al Yousef during a meeting with private sector stakeholders, would allow expatriates to work independently without a conventional sponsor, within a legally monitored framework.
Officials say the proposed system aims to tackle problems stemming from unregulated employment, residency brokerage and unusually high daily wages in some low-skilled jobs, where workers can earn more than KD25 a day for basic services, report Gulf News.
Observers of the existing system have blamed lax supervision for uneven service quality and weak accountability. Supporters of the new model argue it could boost transparency, protect workers from abuse and improve overall standards.
Under initial guidelines, the scheme’s first phase would cover basic occupations. Annual fees are expected to be set between KD750 and KD1,000, with renewals contingent on meeting regulatory conditions.