Kuwait – Employer of Record

Hiring in Kuwait

For non-Kuwaiti nationals, the procedure to get a first-time residence permit takes about two months. The length of a residence permit might be one, two, or three years. Residence permits and work visas are employer-specific. As a result, the sponsor of the current visa must revoke the visa before the new visa may be given for those who seek to move their job to a new sponsor. The person must depart Kuwait and then return on the new visa. The residency permit must be formally cancelled before leaving Kuwait permanently. Failing to do so could postpone the flight or lead to issues later.

Employment Contracts in Kuwait

There is no restriction on the number of fixed-term contracts that may be entered into; however, the length of any one fixed-term contract is limited to 60 months.

All contracts of employment must be filed with the relevant Ministry in duplicate. As a result, the contracts must adhere to a predetermined format. Typically, the contract filed with the Ministry simply contains the set element of a compensation package. Variable remuneration may require its own contract to be in place. The salary and any other compensation amounts should always be in Kuwaiti dinar in the offer letter and employment contract.

Working Hours in Kuwait

The typical work week in Kuwait is 40 to 48 hours, while the workday is only six hours during Ramadan. While some businesses solely cut hours for Muslims, this is against the law for all employees.

The day off is on Fridays. Foreign businesses typically have Saturdays off too, although Thursdays are more likely to be off for local businesses.

Holidays in Kuwait

There are nine national holidays in the region.

Vacation Days in Kuwait

After completing the first nine months of employment with the business, employees are eligible for a 30-day yearly leave with pay. Annual leave must be used within a year of employment, as it appears in the contract.

• Payment for annual leave must be made before the employee’s leave term starts.
• Holidays and sick days are not in the annual leave.
• At the moment of contract termination, employees have the right to cash out any unused vacation time that has been accrued.

After 2 consecutive years of service within a single company, employees who have never done Al-Hajj are eligible to 21 days of leave.

Sick Leave in Kuwait

Workers are eligible for the following amounts of sick time as long as a doctor’s report is in place:

• Within the initial 15 days, the whole salary is due.
• 75% of pay for the following 10 days.
• 50% of pay for the following ten days.
• 25% of pay for the following ten days.
• No pay for the subsequent 30 days.

Parental Leave in Kuwait

Women have a right to maternity leave that lasts for 40 days after the baby is born and for 30 days prior to the projected due date.

Following the maternity leave, pregnant women have the right to take an additional 100 days of unpaid leave, whether or not those days are consecutive. However, they are not eligible for compensation and must show a medical document proving their inability to work.

Paternity leave is not a legal requirement.

Health Insurance in Kuwait

It is not possible to get or renew a residence permit without evidence of health insurance coverage. The cost of the health insurance, which must cover the following essential health and medical services, is the responsibility of the employer.

• Medical evaluation and necessary care provided at clinics by general practitioners and specialists.
• X-ray and laboratory testing.
• Surgical procedures, excluding plastic surgery.
• In the case of an emergency, care, medication, and hospitalization are in place.
• Standard medical and dental care.
• Medications and drugs.

Supplementary Benefits in Kuwait

In Kuwait, here are a few notable benefits:

• Housing stipend.
• Education stipend.
• Vehicle allowance.
• Transportation reimbursement.
• Phone stipend.

Termination in Kuwait

Any probationary term must be in the employment agreement and cannot last longer than 100 working days.

Both the employer and the employee may cancel an indefinite-term employment contract with three months’ notice in cases where the employee obtains remuneration on a monthly basis.

For workers that obtain payments on a monthly basis, the company has a duty to provide an end-of-service reward equal to 15 days of pay for the first 5 years of employment and one month of salary for each year after that. The overall end-of-service benefit should not be more than 1.5 years’ worth of pay.

Where the employer ends the contract, the full amount of end-of-service benefits is due.

Where the employer ends the contract, the full amount of end-of-service benefits is due.

When a person leaves their employment, the company has a responsibility to provide them with an end-of-service certificate outlining the length of their employment, position, and the last compensation they received. Any statements that could injure the employee or restrict their employment options may not be made by the employer, either expressly or implicitly. All papers, credentials, and tools given to the employer by the employee must be returned to them by the employer.

Taxes in Kuwait

In Kuwait, there is no tax on personal income.

Up to a salary cap of KD 2,750 per month, the employer and employee each contribute 11.5% of the monthly wage for Social Security.

Why choose us?

It takes time, money, and complexity to set up a company in Kuwait to employ a small workforce. Nevertheless, our staff makes entering Kuwait simple and painless.

Without having to deal with the hassle of establishing a foreign local branch or subsidiary, we can assist you in hiring the candidate of your choice, deal with HR issues and payroll, and make sure you’re in accordance with regional laws. Our International Employer of Record and Kuwait PEO solution provides you with security so you can concentrate on managing your business.