The Manpower Authority Deputy Director for Recruitment Ahmed Al-Mossa said that the total work permits issued in 2016 were 241,220 compared to 253,829 issued last year. Al-Mossa justified the drop by the organizational decisions issued by Minister Hind Al-Sabeeh concerning the assessment of companies’ need for laborers.

Al-Mossa added that according to MSAL’s decisions, laborers locally sponsored by small projects would be allowed to transfer their residency visas after working for the same sponsor for a minimum of one year, whereas those brought from outside Kuwait would be allowed to transfer to another small or medium project companies after working for the same sponsor for a minimum of three years. He said that the Authority had no intentions (at the time soon) to open - for transfer of commercial visit visas and domestic helpers’ visas to work visas.