Now, Expats in Kuwait Can Amend Academic Qualifications and Professions

22/06/2026

Now, Expats in Kuwait Can Amend Academic Qualifications and Professions

Public Authority for Manpower enforces new work hour rules starting in November.

KUWAIT CITY, Jun 22: The Public Authority for Manpower will allow expatriate workers to amend their registered academic qualifications or professions in cases where the qualification, job title and actual nature of work are proven to be compatible, according to a new ministerial circular.

First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Authority for Manpower, Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef, issued Ministerial Circular No. 1 of 2026, which regulates the qualifications and professions of expatriate workers. The circular aims to develop Kuwait’s labor market, improve efficiency, and increase transparency and flexibility in addressing employers' needs across sectors.

Amendments Allowed Under Approved Management

Sources at the Public Authority for Manpower said the circular allows expatriate workers to modify their academic qualification or profession if it is proven that the registered data matches the actual nature of the work being performed.

The amendments will be carried out in accordance with approved procedures and controls.

The move is expected to help align workers’ registered qualifications with their actual job duties, reducing discrepancies in labor records and improving the accuracy of workforce data.

Labor Market Regulation

The sources said the decision comes as part of the authority’s ongoing efforts, led by Engineer Rabab Al-Osaimi , to regulate the labor market and ensure that registered professions and qualifications reflect the actual needs of various economic sectors.

They added that the measure also seeks to balance employers’ operational requirements with the protection of workers’ rights.

Unified Kuwaiti Occupational Guide

The circular also confirms the continuation of work to prepare the Unified Kuwaiti Guide for Occupational Description and Classification.

According to the sources, the guide will help unify professional titles, improve job classification accuracy and enhance the quality of labor market data.

This, they said, will support future policymaking and help authorities make labor-related decisions based on more accurate and organized information.

Implementation Date

The new regulations will come into effect starting June 2, 2026 , according to the circular.