Kuwait PAM Amends Labour Transfer Rules Under Decision No. 680 of 2026

Kuwait's Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has issued Administrative Decision No. 680 of 2026, amending provisions governing labour transfers and updating applicable fee structures for the private sector. Under the previous framework, expatriate workers were generally required to complete a full continuous year with their employer before a labour transfer could be processed. The new decision introduces five exemption cases under which a transfer may be initiated before that threshold: 1. Failure of residency procedures attributable to employer negligence. 2. An administrative suspension or restriction placed on the employer's file. 3. A malicious absconding report filed against the worker by the employer. 4. The employer's violation of legal obligations under Article 48 of the Kuwaiti Labour Law. 5. Additional exceptional circumstances as determined by the competent authority. The decision also increases the standard work permit processing fee from KWD 175 to KWD 325. Workers who change employers within three years of their initial permit issuance are subject to an early transfer fee of KWD 300. Employers and businesses operating in Kuwait with expatriate workforces should review internal HR and mobility processes to ensure compliance with the updated transfer rules and the revised fee schedule.