Kuwait Bans Foreigners From Doing 120 Freelance Jobs

Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced sweeping changes to its freelance licensing system, designating 120 business activities solely for Kuwaiti nationals. The decision, announced in Ministerial Resolution No. 168 of 2025, excludes expatriates and citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) from operating in these sectors.

The new rules extend freelance licence validity from one year to four years and lower the minimum capital requirement to just KD 50. However, ownership, management, and operation of these businesses will now be restricted to Kuwaiti citizens.

Applicants must fulfill several conditions: they must be at least 21 years old, free of criminal convictions, and operate as single-person companies. They are also required to submit compliance undertakings and supporting documentation. Licences cannot be transferred and are subject to strict guidelines on commercial registration, electronic payments, and annual reporting.

The protected categories span a wide range of services, including consultancy (economic, marketing, agricultural, and social), design and creative work such as fashion and interior decoration, photography and event management, real estate and tourism services, leasing, promotional activities, specialised brokerage, and small-scale facility management.

The Ministry’s Trade Classification Committee will monitor and regulate these activities, with the authority to update or revise the list as needed. Officials say the reforms are designed to foster local entrepreneurship, streamline licensing procedures for citizens, and ensure compliance with environmental, legal, and health standards.

This policy shift is part of Kuwait’s broader nationalisation strategy, which seeks to expand citizen participation in the economy, enhance transparency, and ensure that small-scale enterprises contribute effectively to national development goals.