Kuwait Announces Final Deadline for Worker Transfers Under Temporary Labour Policy

Kuwait has announced June 30, 2026, as the final date for expatriate workers in certain restricted sectors to apply for transfers to other sectors under a temporary labour mobility initiative introduced earlier this year. The decision was confirmed by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) and is part of an exceptional measure aimed at easing workforce shortages while maintaining stability in the country's labour market.

The announcement is particularly significant for thousands of foreign workers, including many Pakistanis employed across Kuwait's industrial, agricultural, and small business sectors.

Who Can Benefit?

The temporary transfer policy applies to expatriate workers currently employed in the following sectors:

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

• Industrial sector

• Agriculture

• Livestock

• Fishing

Workers in these sectors may transfer to eligible employers in other sectors before the deadline, provided all official requirements are fulfilled.

June 30 Is the Final Deadline

According to PAM, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, is the last day for employers to submit transfer requests.

Applications must be submitted exclusively through Kuwait's "As'hal" online portal, which is used for labour-related services. No manual or offline applications will be accepted after the deadline.

Employer Approval Remains Mandatory

Despite allowing transfers, Kuwait has maintained one important condition:

• The current employer (sponsor) must approve the transfer request.

• The new employer is responsible for submitting the application through the As'hal portal.

• The transfer will only be processed after the original sponsor grants official approval.

PAM has also clarified that it will not entertain complaints from workers if an employer refuses to approve the transfer, as the initiative is intended to balance the interests of both employers and employees.

Why Kuwait Introduced the Temporary Policy

Kuwaiti authorities said the exceptional measure was introduced to:

• Address labour shortages in key sectors.

• Improve workforce distribution.

• Support business continuity.

• Respond to recruitment challenges caused by current regional circumstances.

• Maintain stability in the labour market.

Officials stressed that the decision is temporary and should not be viewed as a permanent change to Kuwait's labour transfer regulations.

Importance for Pakistani Workers

Pakistan remains one of the largest sources of expatriate labour in Kuwait, with thousands of Pakistani nationals employed in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and small businesses.

Eligible Pakistani workers who wish to change employers under the temporary scheme must ensure their applications are submitted before the June 30 deadline and that all required approvals are obtained.

Conclusion

Kuwait's Public Authority for Manpower has urged employers and workers to complete any eligible transfer requests before June 30, 2026, when the temporary labour transfer window officially closes. Workers in the designated sectors must use the As'hal portal and obtain their current employer's approval to benefit from the initiative. After the deadline, Kuwait is expected to revert to its standard labour transfer regulations unless new measures are announced.