Here’s How To Change Your Kuwait Work Permit Education Qualification

12/11/2025

Here’s How To Change Your Kuwait Work Permit Education Qualification

Updating an expatriate worker’s academic qualification on a Kuwaiti work permit is a process governed by strict regulations. Not every degree change is permitted, and recent policy updates have further limited the ability to modify qualifications or job titles. To maintain labor market integrity and ensure alignment between job roles and educational credentials, the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) has issued clear guidelines, including a temporary suspension under Ministerial Circular No. 1/2025, making it essential for workers and employers to understand the correct procedures before attempting any changes.

Question:
Dear Arab Times, I completed my graduation in 2022, but I entered Kuwait in 2018. Now, when I try to update my qualification on my work permit, the PAM system and Sahel app show an error because my degree was obtained after my entry. My old company says they can’t update it, and my new company says the old one must do it. What can I do in this situation?”

How to Handle Qualification Update When the Degree Was Completed After Entering Kuwait

Understand the Limitation

The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) and the Sahel app are designed to reflect the worker’s original educational qualification at the time of entry into Kuwait.
Because your degree was obtained after entering the country, the system flags this as an inconsistency, which is why your old company is unable to update it.

Responsibility of Companies

Generally, only the employer who sponsored your work permit at the time of entry can request changes to your qualifications on the system.
Your new employer cannot directly make the update; they can only advise or coordinate with your old employer.

Possible Solutions

Official Letter from PAM or Ministry of Interior: Sometimes, PAM allows exceptions if you provide proof of graduation and explain that the degree was completed after your entry due to extenuating circumstances (like COVID delays).
Coordination Between Old and New Company: Ask your new company to formally request your old company to submit the update on your behalf. Sometimes, a formal request with notarized documents and degree certificates helps overcome system errors.
Visit PAM Office: If the Sahel app is not allowing updates, a personal visit to PAM or the Ministry of Interior with your degree certificate, passport, work permit, and letters from both companies is often helpful. The staff can manually override or guide you on the exception process.

Changing Qualification (Education Degree) on a Work Permit in Kuwait

Changing the academic qualification or educational degree listed on an expatriate’s work permit is strictly regulated by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM). The process is not automatic, and not all changes are allowed. Here’s what you need to know:

General Process

Employers can submit requests via PAM’s e-services (or through the As-hal app) to update some employee information, such as name, passport number, or academic qualification.
Any change of qualification must correspond to the original job role. For example, upgrading an academic degree for a role that does not require it (or changing from one profession to an entirely different classification) is not permitted.
The application is reviewed by PAM, and only approved changes are reflected on the work permit. Any mismatch may lead to rejection.

Current Restrictions (as of 2025)

According to what we published on Arab Times (May 7, 2025), PAM has temporarily suspended changes to academic qualifications and job titles for expatriate workers in certain cases. Ministerial Circular No. 1/2025 states that amendments are halted if the requested change involves a higher academic qualification that does not match the original job role for which the worker was recruited or transferred.

This suspension was effective immediately and applies to newly recruited expatriates or those transferred to the private sector. The circular aims to prevent misuse of the work permit system and ensure that the worker’s qualification aligns with the approved job function.

Practical Implications

- If your employer wants to update your qualification, the new degree must fit the profession category approved under your current work permit.

- Any request outside these guidelines may be rejected until PAM revises the suspension or updates regulations.

- Always confirm with your HR department or PAM official channels before applying, to avoid delays or errors.

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