Daijiworld Media Network- Kuwait

Kuwait, Sep 22: In a major policy overhaul, Kuwait’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has restricted 120 freelance business activities exclusively to Kuwaiti citizens, barring expatriates and GCC nationals from participation. The move, under Ministerial Resolution No. 168 of 2025, also extends freelance licence validity from one year to four years, while reducing the minimum capital requirement to KD 50.

The resolution mandates that only Kuwaiti nationals can own, manage, and operate licensed freelance businesses. Applicants must meet criteria including being at least 21 years old, having no criminal convictions, operating as a single-person company, and submitting compliance pledges and other required documents. Licences are non-transferable and must follow strict rules on commercial registration, electronic payments, and annual reporting.

The 120 protected freelance activities cover a wide spectrum, including consultancy services (economic, marketing, agricultural, social), creative and design work (fashion, interior decoration), photography and events, tourism and real estate services, leasing and rentals, promotional services, specialised brokerage, and small facility management.

The Ministry’s Trade Classification Committee will oversee these activities, with authority to update or remove categories in the future. The resolution aims to strengthen local entrepreneurship, simplify licensing for Kuwaiti citizens, and align freelance operations with environmental, legal, and health standards.

This policy aligns with Kuwait’s broader nationalisation agenda, focused on increasing economic participation of citizens, promoting transparency, and ensuring that micro-enterprises contribute meaningfully to national development.