The Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) in Kuwait has announced a new opportunity for domestic workers to transfer their residencies from Article 20 to Article 18, facilitating their transition to the private sector. Starting from Sunday, July 14, this initiative will be open for two months.

Understanding the Residency Transfer Initiative

The decision by PAM is a significant move aimed at providing domestic workers more flexibility and opportunities within Kuwait’s labor market. This change allows domestic workers, who are currently under Article 20, to transfer to private sector employment under Article 18.

Conditions for Approval

The transfer process comes with specific conditions that must be met for approval:

1. Employer Attendance: The employer must be present in person during the application process.
2. Ministry of Interior Approval: The Ministry of Interior’s General Department for Residency Affairs must verify and approve that the sponsor agrees to the residency transfer.
3. Residency Duration: Applicants must provide documents proving they have resided in Kuwait for at least one year.

Required Documents and Procedures

Applicants need to prepare several documents to facilitate the transfer:

• Proof of residency in Kuwait for a minimum of one year.
• A letter of approval from the current sponsor.
• Identification and residency documents of both the worker and the employer.

Benefits of the Residency Transfer

This initiative benefits domestic workers by offering them the opportunity to explore broader employment prospects in the private sector, potentially leading to better working conditions and improved career growth. Employers in the private sector also gain access to a new pool of experienced and dedicated workers.

This move is expected to have a positive impact on the labor market in Kuwait, ensuring a more dynamic and flexible workforce.