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Expand your global workforce in Kuwait

Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in Kuwait.

Capital

Kuwait City

Currency

Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)

Languages

Arabic, English

GDP per Capita

$33,193.64

Employer Tax

11.5%

Payroll Frequency

Monthly

Talent overview

Lying in the Gulf region, Kuwait is a developed country, and it is the 5th most prosperous country in terms of Gross National Income per Capita. Kuwait houses the world’s 6th largest high reserves. The national currency of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Dinar, is the highest valued currency in the world.

Major economic hubs:

Al, Farwaniyah, Al Fahahil, Kuwait City, Ar Riqqah

Skills in demand:

Engineering, Information Technology, Medicine, Surgery, Real Estate.

Top local universities in Kuwait

Uni1 19

Kuwait University

Ranking

Local: 1

World: 2394

Uni2 18

American University of Kuwait

Ranking

Local: 2

World: 5930

Uni3 15

Gulf University for Science and Technology

Ranking

Local: 3

World: 6436

Uni4 16

Australian College of Kuwait

Ranking

Local: 4

World: 7409

Uni5 15

Maastricht School of Management Kuwait

Ranking

Local: 5

World: 10983

Top Local Job Boards:

1KuwaitJobs, GulfTalent, Bayt

Number of LinkedIn users:

982,000

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Cons Consulting Company, SOS HR Solutions, HRInvest

Where to find talent

Top Local Job Boards:

Number of LinkedIn users:

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Salary Data

Job Title Average Monthly Salary (in KWD) Average Monthly Salary (in USD)
Financial Manager 2,460 8,012
General Manager 2,190 7,133
Business Development Manager 2,020 6,579
Financial Analyst 1,730 5,635
Business Analyst 1,640 5,341
Project Manager 1,520 4,951

Employ in Kuwait

Employing in Kuwait

Listed below are the key points an employer must keep in mind while seeking employees in Kuwait.

Employee Contract

The employment contract must be written in Arabic and a second language at the employee’s request.

Probation Period

The probation period for Kuwaiti employees is up to 100 days.

Public and Provincial Holidays

Date Name Type
1 Jan New Year’s Day Official holiday
7 Feb Isra and Miraj Official holiday
25 Feb National Day Official holiday
26 Feb Liberation Day Official holiday
10 Apr Eid al-Fitr (Tentative Date) Official holiday
11 Apr Eid al-Fitr holiday (Tentative Date) Official holiday
12 Apr Eid al-Fitr holiday (Tentative Date) Official holiday
16 Jun Waqfat Arafat Day (Tentative Date) Official holiday
17 Jun Eid al-Adha (Tentative Date) Official holiday
18 Jun Eid al-Adha holiday (Tentative Date) Official holiday
19 Jun Eid al-Adha holiday (Tentative Date) Official holiday
8 Jul Islamic New Year (Tentative Date) Official holiday
16 Sep The Prophet’s Birthday (Tentative Date) Official holiday

Employee Leaves

Type of Leave Time Period Mandatory
Annual Leave 30 days Yes
Sick Leave 15 days Yes
Maternity Leave 10 weeks Yes

Leave Compliance

Payroll in Kuwait

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Payroll cycle

Kuwait follows a monthly payroll cycle.

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Minimum wage

The minimum wage in Kuwait is set at 60 KWD per month for domestic employees and 75 KWD for private sector employees.

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Overtime pay

The standard working hours in Kuwait are 8 hours a day and 48 hours a week. During the month of Ramadan, employees are expected to work a maximum of 36 hours per week. Overtime is permitted in the country with a cap of 180 hours a year, 3 days a week or 90 days a year. The overtime pay is 125% above the regular rate during daytime on weekdays and 150% above the regular rate during weekends.

How taxes work

Employer Payroll Tax

Details Contributions
Social Security 11.5%

Employee Payroll Tax

Details Contributions
Social Security 10.50%

Employee Income Tax

No personal income tax is imposed on Kuwaiti individuals.

VAT

There is no VAT applicable in Kuwait.

Bonus

13th Month Pay

Employers in Kuwait are not mandated to release a 13th-month salary to their employees.

Employee Benefits

  • Sick Leave
  • Vacation Leave
  • Maternity Leave
  • Paternity Leave
  • Health Insurance

Employee offboarding

Employment in Kuwait can be terminated both by the employee and the employer. The employer can terminate the employment on substantial grounds. If the employment is terminated without any grounds, the employer must pay a severance to the employee.

A 3-month notice is mandatory for all salaried employees.

Upon termination by the employer, a Kuwaiti employee is entitled to 15 days salary for every working year (maximum of one-and-a-half year’s wages) as severance pay.

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Visa and
immigration

A work visa and a NOC from the General Administration of Criminal Investigation at the Interior Ministry are required to work in Kuwait. Apart from this, the employee will also need a Police Clearance Certificate from the Regional Passport Office.

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