10/11/2026
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10/11/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 10: Kuwait's Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued two ministerial decisions regulating freelance business activities, outlining the permitted sectors, licensing requirements and operating conditions for individuals seeking to establish businesses without maintaining commercial premises.
In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Tuesday, the ministry said Ministerial Decision No. 216 of 2026 establishes the licensing requirements, while Decision No. 217 of 2026 specifies the list of activities eligible for freelance business registration.
The approved activities cover a wide range of sectors, including professional, scientific, technical, consultancy and commercial services, building-related services, administrative and business support, arts, entertainment, recreation, education and tourism.
Other permitted fields include rental and employment services, basic maintenance and repair, information and communications, real estate, and the manufacture of textiles, clothing and leather products.
Kuwaiti citizens eligible to establish single-person companies
Under the new regulations, eligible businesses can operate without maintaining traditional commercial premises. Applications can be submitted through the Kuwait Business Center, Sahel and Sahel Business applications, or other channels approved by the ministry.
The regulations require the licensed business to be established as a single-person company, with its founder also serving as the company manager.
The founder must meet the following conditions:
- Be a Kuwaiti citizen.
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Have full legal capacity.
- Have no final custodial sentence for a felony or an offence involving dishonesty or breach of trust, unless legally rehabilitated.
Companies must also maintain a designated address, a post office box or an email address registered with the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI).
Using a private residence as the company's registered address requires the property owner's consent.
Four-year licences and electronic payments
The regulations require companies to obtain approvals from relevant government authorities whenever their activities are subject to additional regulatory requirements.
Licences will remain valid for four years and may be renewed for successive four-year periods.
Licensed companies must also:
- Open a bank account in the company's name.
- Use electronic payment methods approved by the Central Bank of Kuwait.
- Display their commercial registration number on official accounts and in business transactions.
- Clearly show the registration number alongside the company name on websites and social media accounts.
The regulations prohibit companies from receiving customers or other visitors at private residential addresses.
Manufacturing and online sales permitted through licensed facilities
The new rules allow licensed companies to use, market and sell designs, innovations, ideas and artistic models developed through their business activities.
They may also enter into contracts with businesses holding valid commercial or industrial licences and operating from approved premises for manufacturing, production, preparation, printing and packaging.
Additionally, freelance companies can contract licensed warehouses and other authorised facilities to store products, process and fulfil orders, and manage related logistics.
They may display, promote and sell their products and services at exhibitions, temporary markets and through online platforms, subject to applicable regulations.
Ministry to determine eligible activities
The Ministry's Commercial Registration and Economic Activities Department will be responsible for identifying the business activities eligible for licensing under the new framework.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry may add, amend or remove activities from the approved list through subsequent decisions published in the Official Gazette.
The new framework establishes a regulatory structure for freelance businesses in Kuwait, allowing eligible Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to conduct approved activities without the requirement to maintain conventional commercial premises, while remaining subject to licensing, banking, registration and other regulatory obligations.
