Kuwait bars foreigners from 120 freelance jobs

Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has made big changes to the freelance licensing system, reserving 120 business activities only for Kuwaiti citizens.

The new decision bars expatriates and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens from operating in a wide range of service sectors, giving exclusive rights to Kuwaiti nationals. Under the new rules, freelance licence validity has been extended from one year to four years, while the minimum capital requirement has been reduced to just KD 50. However, ownership, management, and operations of businesses in the protected sectors will now be limited to Kuwaitis.

Applicants must meet strict conditions, including being at least 21 years old, free from criminal convictions, and registered as single-person companies. They are required to provide compliance undertakings and supporting documents. Licences cannot be transferred and must follow clear guidelines on commercial registration, electronic payments, and annual reporting. The restricted categories cover consultancy in economic, marketing, agricultural, and social fields, as well as design, fashion, and interior decoration.

Other areas include photography, event management, real estate and tourism services, leasing, advertising and promotional activities, specialised brokerage, and small-scale facility management. The Ministry’s Trade Classification Committee will regulate and monitor these sectors, with the authority to revise the list of protected activities.

Officials said the reforms aim to promote entrepreneurship among citizens, simplify licensing procedures, and ensure compliance with environmental, health, and legal standards. This policy shift is part of Kuwait’s broader nationalisation strategy. The move seeks to expand citizen participation in the economy, enhance transparency, and strengthen the role of small-scale enterprises in achieving national development goals.