To transfer your Kuwait Article 18 work permit, you generally need three years of service or, after at least one year, your current employer’s written consent before three years.
Here’s how the process works in 2026, what it costs, and the steps to apply through the Ashal portal and Sahel app.
Who Can Transfer
Kuwait’s Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 and Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) rules govern who can move to a new employer on an Article 18 private-sector visa.
Two main routes apply:
- With employer consent: You can transfer after at least one year and before completing three years if your current sponsor issues a release (NOC).
- Without employer consent: You can transfer after three years of service from the date your work permit was issued.
Workers planning to relocate, take a new job offer in Kuwait City, or move to a different sector should check which route applies before resigning.
Special 2026 Transfer Window
Under Ministerial Resolution No. 2 of 2026, PAM has opened a temporary transfer window for workers in five restricted sectors: small and medium enterprises, industrial, agricultural, livestock, and fishing.
The window runs from 1 May 2026 to 30 June 2026. Transfers still need the original employer’s approval and must be filed through the Ashal portal.
Required Documents
The new employer files most of the paperwork, but you need to provide several documents yourself.
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity
- Current Civil ID issued by the Public Authority for Civil Information
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer if transferring before three years
- End-of-Service Clearance form, signed and stamped
- Attested academic certificates for skilled roles
- Passport-size photos meeting Kuwait specifications
- Signed employment contract with the new sponsor
PAM has tightened academic qualification checks for transfers. Make sure your degrees are attested by the Kuwaiti embassy in your home country.
Step-by-Step Process
The transfer is filed online through PAM’s Ashal portal. Here’s the standard flow for a within-Kuwait transfer.
Secure a Job Offer and NOC
Your new employer must hold a valid commercial licence and an approved manpower quota from PAM. They will draft a contract for your new role.
If you are between one and three years from the permit issue date, ask your current employer for a written release. Without it, your only option for an exceptional transfer is to file a labour complaint with PAM if there is a labour-law breach.
After three years, NOC is no longer legally required, but the formal release process still runs through PAM.
New Employer Files the Request
The new sponsor logs into the Ashal portal on PAM’s website and submits a “Work Permit Issuance – Transfer Within Sector” request under your Civil ID.
Before submission, confirm that your name, passport number, Civil ID, job title, and new company details match across the contract and supporting documents. Even small mismatches can delay the file or trigger a request for corrected paperwork.
According to PAM, eligibility checks at this stage include valid residency and passport, no legal suspensions on either party’s file, and no pending applications or travel bans.
Pay the Transfer Fees
The new employer pays the applicable fees online. See the fees section below for current amounts.
Ask the sponsor to keep the payment receipt and application reference number, as these are useful if PAM asks for follow-up documents or if the case needs to be checked later.
If you are transferring before three years, confirm in advance how the KWD 300 early transfer fee will be handled so there is no dispute after the request is filed.
Approval and New Residence Stamp
PAM reviews the request and, if approved, the case moves to the Ministry of Interior for the new residence permit. Expect roughly two to four weeks for the full process if documents are clean.
During this stage, avoid starting work under the new sponsor until the transfer is officially approved and your residency record has moved. You can track the application status through the Sahel app using your Civil ID.
Biometric and Civil ID Update
Once the new permit is issued, complete fingerprinting at an MOI biometric centre if required, then update your Civil ID with PACI to reflect the new sponsor.
Check the new sponsor name and residency details as soon as the update appears in Sahel or on your Civil ID record.
If anything is misspelled or linked to the wrong file, ask the new employer’s representative to correct it before you rely on the updated record for travel, banking, or government services.
Fees and Processing Time
PAM revised the work permit fee structure in 2025, ending most exemptions and standardising charges across categories.
| Fee Type | Amount (KWD) | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Standard work permit fee | 150 | All work permit issues and transfers |
| Early transfer fee | 300 | If transferring after one year and within three years of permit issue |
| Civil ID issue/renewal | 5 | PACI smart card after permit transfer |
A qualifying transfer after one year and before three years therefore costs roughly KWD 450 in government fees, plus medical, biometric, and Civil ID charges. After three years, the KWD 300 early transfer fee is waived.
Processing typically takes two to four weeks end to end, assuming clean documents and no holds on either file.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Most transfer delays come from a handful of avoidable issues.
- Verbal NOCs. Get the release in writing on company letterhead. Verbal promises do not survive a dispute.
- Expired passport. Renew at least six months before applying. PAM will reject the request if validity is short.
- Mismatched Civil ID details. Name spellings on the new contract must match your Civil ID exactly, or the Sahel filing will fail.
- Skipping academic attestation. Skilled-role transfers are now refused if degrees are not attested by the Kuwaiti embassy in the issuing country.
- Ignoring travel bans or fines. Outstanding traffic fines, court cases, or labour complaints will block the transfer. Clear them first.
If your employer refuses a legitimate release or is in clear breach of the labour contract, file a complaint with PAM. PAM may approve a transfer without employer consent in verified labour-law breach cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Kuwait work permit without an NOC?
Yes, but generally only after completing three years of service from the date your work permit was issued. Between one and three years, you need your current employer’s written release or a successful PAM complaint based on a labour-law breach.
How long does the transfer take?
PAM and MOI processing usually takes two to four weeks if your documents are complete and there are no holds on either file. Delays usually come from missing attestations or mismatched Civil ID details.
Who pays the transfer fees?
Fees are normally paid online by the new sponsor during the application, but the KWD 300 early transfer fee may be handled according to the transfer arrangement. Keep any agreement about costs in writing.
Can domestic workers (Article 20) transfer to Article 18?
PAM previously opened a two-month Article 20 to Article 18 transfer window from 14 July 2024. For 2026, domestic workers should verify any current transfer window or exception directly with PAM before applying.
Can I leave Kuwait while my transfer is being processed?
From 1 July 2025, Article 18 private-sector expat workers need an employer-approved exit permit to leave Kuwait. During a transfer, the current sponsor must still approve any exit until the new permit is issued.
Sources
- Kuwait Labour Law No. 6 of 2010 (Public Authority for Manpower)
- Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) Official Portal
- Kuwait Government Online: Sahel App
- Kuwait Government Online: Private Residence Article 18
- Arab Times: Ministerial Resolution No. 2 of 2026
- Times Kuwait: PAM Ashal Portal Digital Work Permit Services
- Arab Times: Article 18 Visa Guide
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