Kuwait is included in the list of the richest countries in the world. High oil revenues (40% of GDP) and the intention to become the center of world tourism have formed one big reason why in just 10-15 years almost a desert has turned into a state with a developed infrastructure and a rapidly developing economy.
Now the territory of the Emirates is decorated with modern skyscrapers, amusement parks, shopping centers, and well-groomed gardens. The authorities are investing in the construction of investment real estate, the development of tourism, agriculture, and international trade. At the same time, almost 90% of jobs are occupied by foreigners. Therefore, finding and getting a job in Kuwait is not a problem.
But when looking for a place in one of the emirates, it is necessary to take into account a number of points: culture, differentiation between locals and visitors, the range of vacancies, climate, legal nuances. Layboard.in will tell you about all the features of finding and getting a job in Kuwait.
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Are we needed in Kuwait?
The population of the Emirates is about 9 million people. There are no more than a third of local residents. The rest are labor migrants mainly from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Lebanon. Each nationality has its own role.
Lebanese, for example, work mainly in the advertising field. Filipinos are in the service sector (hotels, salons, restaurants) thanks to at least some knowledge of English.
Among the taxi drivers you will often meet Pakistanis, at the construction site – Indians.
It is also easy for an Indian-speaking person to find a job in the service sector. As we said, one of the sectors of the economy that the Kuwait government is betting on is tourism.
Therefore, if your English is at the level of conversational and you do not shy away from working in the service sector, there are enough vacancies.
And if you also have a higher education, the profession is on the list of those in demand – you can be sure that you will find a job with a decent salary.
By the way, the government of the Emirates encourages intellectuals and introduces 10-year visas for expats working in the field of science, medicine and research. And according to a survey conducted by HSBC, 73% of migrant workers in Kuwait earn more than at home.
There is only one “but”: it is almost impossible to obtain citizenship in the country. Whoever is left without a job, who has expired a resident visa, is obliged to leave.
If you married a local resident – do not count on citizenship: only common children will receive it.
The reason for this policy is the many privileges for indigenous people. From free annual Internet when buying a SIM card, interest-free installments on a car to a cash gift for buying a house for newlyweds and $ 20,000 for the birth of a child. And Kuwait citizens in the same positions receive a higher salary than visitors. But more on that later.
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Requirements for foreigners
English proficiency
There is absolutely no need to speak Arabic. But English is a must. The higher the level, the wider the range of vacancies available to you. There are options for working with basic English or only Indian – but the salary will be lower.
Pleasant appearance
Most vacancies are in the service sector, so an attractive appearance is important.
Age
In the bulk accept candidates from 18 to 30 years old. If we are talking about a highly qualified specialist – up to 35 years old (but there were exceptional cases when specialists aged 45-50 were hired). The contract is concluded for at least a year: local employers are set for long-term cooperation.
Diploma confirmation
If you are highly qualified. For example, doctors in Kuwait are always required, but the selection is tough: the country maintains a reputation as a place with one of the highest levels of medicine in the world.
To get a job in a local clinic, you need to pass an exam, confirm your experience and education (theoretical and practical part), and be fluent in English.
Specialization exams are held twice a year.
If you want to open your own clinic, you will need to obtain a license. There are three ministries of health in the country, each of which issues a document for work only in a certain emirate.
This process takes two to three weeks. The validity of the diploma is confirmed by the Kuwait Consulate. This will require:
- receive an archival certificate from the educational institution that they graduated from;
- translate the diploma into Arabic, certify it with a notary, confirm his authority at the Ministry of Justice, certifying the seal at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- transfer the diploma and archival certificate to the Kuwait consulate.
Before looking for Kuwait jobs for foreigners, remember that this is a Muslim country. Even despite the desire to Europeanize, traditions are observed here. For example, women are allowed to walk down the street in any clothes, but they may not be allowed into certain organizations in trousers or a short skirt. And in Ramadan, eating and drinking in public places before sunset is prohibited.
Among other features:
- Couples are not allowed to express their feelings in public (hug, kiss, even hold hands). Officially, you cannot live with a partner with whom you are not scheduled. Although unofficially, many couples do this. But there is a caveat: if the neighbors inform you, you can go to jail. So it’s better to be friends with the neighbors here.
- You can buy alcohol in shops and bars. But do not be surprised if the store asks you for a special license (certificate from work and from the landlord that they do not mind your craving for alcohol).
- Crimes are punished very severely here, and they are caught quickly, since cameras are installed even at public transport stops. Because Kuwait is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Many do not close the front door when they leave the house. At night, you can safely walk or go to the store.
- There is a kind of censorship in Kuwait: you cannot scold the sheikh in Internet correspondence, publish bad reviews about the state, spread negative gossip, upload photos of fires, fights, etc. The country cares about a positive image, therefore, such antics can be fined at best, and deported at worst.
Salaries
There is no legal minimum wage in Kuwait. But if we take the average values, then the minimum salary is $400-450 per month, the average salary in the service sector is $600-800. Specialists with higher education and relevant experience can receive up to $8,000.
Unskilled workers receive the least. For example, cleaners, gardeners receive up to $400. But do not forget that those who work in the service sector do not spend money on health insurance, room and board, and travel to the place of work.
Average salaries of foreign workers in the Kuwait
- taxi driver – $600-800;
- waiter – $600-800 + tips;
- secretary – $ 700-1500;
- account manager – $1500-2000 (depending on experience and level of sales);
- dancer – $1000-1500;
- stewardess – $ 1700-2400;
- engineer – $2500-5000;
- IT manager – from $1500;
- system administrator – $2000-5000;
- programmer – from $5000.
Jobs and vacancies in Kuwait
Kuwait is a rich country in the Middle East, located between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, bordering the Persian Gulf.
A small state owns about 6% of the world’s oil reserves, which ensures the well-being of the local population and attracts the interest of labor migrants.
We note right away that it is impossible for foreigners to obtain citizenship in Kuwait, and the right to own property and conduct business in the country is very limited.
Jobs in Kuwait for Indians in 2022 are available in the oil sector, finance and banking, doctors, builders, programmers and owners of some other qualified professions are required. The main problem of the state is the huge dependence of the economy on the oil sector, which forms more than half of the country’s GDP and over 90% of the budget revenues.
Specificity of labor migration to Kuwait
The population of Kuwait in 2022 is about 4.4 million people. According to various sources, up to 70–80% of the country’s labor force consists of foreign workers, and until recently, local authorities have welcomed the influx of labor migrants in every possible way.
Today the situation is gradually changing and finding a job in Kuwait is becoming much more difficult. After all, foreign applicants occupy the positions of both unskilled workers and positions that require high qualifications and experience, respectively, adequately paid.
And due to the fact that a large number of young Kuwaitis receive a good education in prestigious universities in the UK and the US, the government is striving to provide conditions for employment in Kuwait, first of all, for its own citizens. Companies are advised to fill vacancies exclusively with local residents; for this, special quotas are introduced, and only in the absence of specialists with the required qualifications, the job is given to a foreigner.
Moreover, special restrictive laws apply to labor migrants in the country. For example, at present, foreigners over the age of 50 are not eligible for employment in the public sector in Kuwait.
However, these measures are designed for the long term and are more relevant to low-skilled workers.
In general, the country’s economy still needs a sufficiently large number of qualified specialists from abroad.
The unemployment rate in Kuwait does not exceed 2-3%, which also has a positive effect on the prospects for the growth of open vacancies in the country.
Other positive aspects of labor migration to Kuwait include the absence of income tax, including for foreign workers.
Only foreign companies are required to pay income tax at a rate of 15%, local businessmen are exempted from such contributions. The level of GDP per capita in Kuwait is one of the highest in the world. Of the countries in the region, only Qatar is ahead.