Kuwait
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
Kuwait University
Ranking
Local: 1
World: 2394
American University of Kuwait
Ranking
Local: 2
World: 5930
Gulf University for Science and Technology
Ranking
Local: 3
World: 6436
Australian College of Kuwait
Ranking
Local: 4
World: 7409
Maastricht School of Management Kuwait
Ranking
Local: 5
World: 10983
Top Local Job Boards:
Number of LinkedIn users:
982,000
Top Recruitment Agencies:
Where to find talent
Top Local Job Boards:
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users:
Number of LinkedIn users
Top Recruitment Agencies:
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 |
| January 1 | New Year’s Day | National Holiday |
| January 2 | New Year’s Day Holiday | National Holiday |
| January 30 | Isra and Miraj Holiday | National Holiday |
| January 31 | Isra and Miraj Holiday | National Holiday |
| February 1 | Isra and Miraj Holiday | National Holiday |
| February 25 | National Day | National Holiday |
| February 26 | Liberation Day | National Holiday |
| March 31 | Eid al-Fitr | National Holiday |
| April 1 | Eid al-Fitr holiday | National Holiday |
| April 2 | Eid al-Fitr holiday | National Holiday |
| June 6 | Waqfat Arafat Day | National Holiday |
| June 7 | Eid al-Adha | National Holiday |
| June 8 | Eid al-Adha holiday | National Holiday |
| June 9 | Eid al-Adha holiday | National Holiday |
| June 27 | Islamic New Year | National Holiday |
| September 5 | The Prophet’s Birthday | National Holiday |
Employee Leaves
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 30 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 15 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 70 days | Yes |
Leave Compliance
Public and Provincial Holidays
Payroll in Kuwait
Payroll cycle
Kuwait follows a monthly payroll cycle.
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Kuwait is set at 75 KWD for employees.
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 | 15% |
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.
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.
Your employment toolkit for Kuwait
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Overtime Pay
Minimum Wage
Overtime Pay
Visa and Immigration