You’re in Kuwait, and you lost your job. You now want to find a job in Kuwait. Or maybe you are in your hometown, but you’re planning to come to a country with one of the world’s strongest currencies.
This article will uncover how to find a well-paid job in Kuwait to start a lucrative career path. In addition, it will be your guide if you want to live in Kuwait as an expat.
Let’s get it right.
What Do You Need to Know?
- An attractive feature of the Kuwaiti labor market is that it has one of the world’s lowest unemployment rates and does not impose any taxes on individual earnings.
- Due to the prevalence of international corporations and the English-speaking populace, foreign nationals are not required to speak Arabic to get employment.
- The employment market in Kuwait is varied and increasing. You will find a job in Kuwait if you have the correct requirements.
Considering that Kuwait’s GDP was over USD 123 billion in 2015, its economic importance considerably outweighs its relatively tiny size.
Because of its vast oil reserves, Kuwait is home to a prosperous and relatively open economy.
With one of the world’s lowest unemployment rates (at 3%), Kuwait is prosperous. Workers from outside who possess expertise in high demand in the country’s thriving economy are generally welcomed with open arms. That being said, this is more relevant for individuals working in Kuwait for a short time.
No matter how long they may have lived in Kuwait, foreigners are not eligible for citizenship and are subject to certain restrictions on purchasing land and another real estate.
How to Find a Job in Kuwait
Types of Businesses in Kuwait
The enormous oil industry is the backbone of Kuwait’s economy. Nearly eight percent of the world’s oil is stored in Kuwait’s 104 million barrels of crude oil.
Almost half of Kuwait’s GDP and more than 90% of government revenue come from petroleum.
Among the many expats in Kuwait, many find gainful employment in the service industry. The manufacturing industry relies heavily on oil exports as well.
Commercial real estate, business services, and the financial industry have been the fastest-growing service industries in recent years.
Opportunities abound in these, too, for those willing to move abroad. Since there is so little farmable land in Kuwait, the country relies entirely on imports.
More than ninety-five percent of food consumed in the state is imported.
A notable exception is the fishing sector, as there is a thriving seafood industry along the coast of Kuwait.
The Process of Obtaining a Work Permit
Except for citizens of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, all foreigners to Kuwait who wish to work legally must first get a work permit.
Only when an expat has a legitimate job offer will a work visa be provided.
The company acts as the worker’s sponsor during the expat worker’s time in Kuwait.
In other words, the firm will take care of everything on your behalf, from applying for a visa to set up a bank account.
If you break any rules while you’re a resident of Kuwait, your sponsor will be held responsible. After a man obtains a work permit and residency in Kuwait, he can sponsor his family to join him there. Family members who wish to work in Kuwait must do so on their initiative and secure appropriate visas.
Finding House in Kuwait
To find a house in Kuwait, you can check out many real estate websites, such as Sakan, where you can find villas for rent in Salmiya, apartments for rent in Salwa, and apartments for rent in Kuwait. You will never need to break your bank to rent a house in Kuwait. Many cheap apartments for rent in Kuwait are available. But first, you need to find the right tool and well-structured real estate listing.
Simpler tax rules
Oil exports provide the bulk of the funding for Kuwait’s large government budget. Taxes, the primary source of revenue for governments everywhere else, are unnecessary. As a result, not even foreign workers in Kuwait are subject to individual income tax. Only foreign corporations operating in Kuwait must file an annual tax return and pay the applicable income tax.
The corporate income tax rate for non-domestic corporations is a flat 15%. Businesses that are 100% owned by Kuwaitis are not subject to these levies. Those who take jobs in Kuwait will also quickly learn that the country has no sales tax. But there have been conversations about implementing it.
Benefits for Those Living Abroad
A generous social security system covers all Kuwaiti nationals who find employment in Kuwait.
It consists of a free public healthcare system with a pension, disability, and medical benefits for those who qualify.
The majority of the cost of the system comes from government funding. However, foreigners working in Kuwait are not eligible to participate in the national social security system. Expat workers at some companies may be eligible for corporate pension plans. If none are offered where you work, it is wise to keep contributing to a state pension system and private pension plan back home while employed in Kuwait.
While in Kuwait, expats have access to the public health system. To alleviate the strain on the public health system, the government of Kuwait has proposed limiting the number of hours expats can work in public hospitals and constructing private, expat-only hospitals that have demanded higher premiums in recent years.
How to Search for Jobs in Kuwait
For job postings, check out Monster.com and Bayt.com. Both have extensive job listings for working in Kuwait. Linkedin is also an excellent place to start searching for jobs in Kuwait. Also, several reputable recruiting agencies mainly deal with positions in upper management.
When push comes to shove, however, self-initiative is key. Seek out companies (both multinationals and Kuwaiti businesses) that might require the skills you can offer, and contact them directly. In Kuwait, personal relationships are significant in all aspects, including business. Local contacts can therefore prove immensely valuable for finding employment.
Are you ready to take the most significant step in your life— relocate to Kuwait? Check out all available properties in Kuwait and contact us if you need help.
