KUWAIT CITY (Kashmir English): Kuwait is set to launch a new freelancers visa, which will enable expatriates to work as freelancers without the need for a traditional sponsor, according to officials.
The new Kuwait Freelance Visa was announced by First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef during a meeting with representatives of the private sector.
The move is part of a wider set of reforms to the labor market that seek to put an end to the trade in illegal residency and unregulated labor.
Freelancers will be able to work under a properly regulated legal framework, which will increase transparency and accountability. The current system, according to officials, has driven up the cost of services and undermined the rights of workers.
The first stage of the new visa will be for simple jobs, and the annual visa fee will be between KD 750 and KD 1,000. To apply, individuals will have to provide a registered address, correct personal details, and other requirements.
The decision has been received positively by economists and businessmen, who consider it a huge leap towards regulating the informal labor market.
Entrepreneur Bashar Al-Ustad considered that the decision may contribute to fighting human trafficking and labor exploitation, but he emphasized the need for strict monitoring and professional verification.
The details of the decision, including the professions that will be eligible and how to apply, are expected to be announced by officials within the next two months.
The freelancers’ visa, if implemented successfully, will have a huge impact on the Kuwaiti labor market and will improve service quality and economic sustainability.
Pakistanis travelling to UK can now get e-visa
Pakistanis travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) can now use an e-visa, receiving confirmation by email rather than stickers in passports, the British High Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.
Earlier in July 2025, the UK government introduced an e-visa system for Pakistanis travelling for study or work, but now it has been expanded for general visitors too.
The High Commission said that visitors, including tourists, will continue to submit their applications online and attend a visa application centre to provide biometrics.
“Successful applicants will have a digital record of their immigration status provided through an eVisa, accessible through an online UK Visas and Immigration account,” it said.
It said that applicants would no longer need to attend a visa application centre a second time to collect their passport; instead holding on to it after their biometrics session.
The British High Commission said that “eVisas provide a more secure way to manage immigration status and reduce the risk of lost or damaged documents.”
“Applicants can generate a share code to prove their visa status at borders and elsewhere. There is no change to visa processing times, eligibility criteria, or conditions.”
