New Licensing Rules Simplify Freelance and Micro-Business Activities in Kuwait

14/09/2025

New Licensing Rules Simplify Freelance and Micro-Business Activities in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 14: The Official Gazette (Kuwait Alyom) has published Ministry of Commerce and Industry Resolution No. 168 of 2025, regulating freelance, including micro-businesses and activities of a special nature.

The resolution outlines nine conditions for obtaining a license to practice free business activities:

The applicant must establish a single-person company.
The company founder must also serve as the company manager, be a Kuwaiti national with full legal capacity, and must not have a final conviction for a felony or crime affecting honor and trust, unless fully rehabilitated.
The license holder must be at least 21 years old, unless authorized to practice trade by a court.
The license holder must provide a registered domicile, a post office box, or an email registered with the Public Authority for Civil Information, according to the latest update.
Property owner approval is required if the chosen residence is a private home.
Submission of proof of payment of the prescribed fee.
Signature of the license holder on the required pledge form prepared for this purpose.
The business must not deal with materials harmful to the environment or public health and safety, as specified by competent authorities.
Submission of any additional documents as required by decisions issued by the Minister or his delegate.

The resolution further stipulates that licenses will be valid for four years, and it allows for multiple self-employment activities to be added under the same license.

This decision aims to streamline the licensing process for small and specialized businesses while ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety standards.