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Getting a job in Kuwait

Rose Mathew, 32. Staff Nurse in Kuwait City.

Rose joined a Ministry of Health hospital. Kuwait recruits nurses mainly through government programmes, which are slower but well paid.

From
Kerala, India
Industry
Healthcare
per month
KWD 600 ≈ $2K
Timeline
14–20 weeks
Visa route
Article 18 private-sector work visa and Civil ID
Rose Mathew at work
“It took months, but the Ministry contract is stable and includes housing.”

Step by step

  • You
  • Employer
  • Government
  1. 1

    Search and interview

    3–8 weeksYou

    Applied for Staff Nurse roles through recruiters and job boards, then interviewed remotely. Asked for the full package in writing: basic salary, allowances, flights, medical cover and notice period.

  2. 2

    MOH licence and exam

    6–10 weeksYou

    Verification of nursing licence and experience, then the Kuwait Ministry of Health exam.

    Cost: about USD 400

  3. 3

    Work permit (Article 18)

    2–4 weeksEmployer

    The employer applies to the Public Authority for Manpower. Kuwait checks degree and job title match closely, so the visa title must reflect your actual qualification.

  4. 4

    Attestation and medical abroad

    2–3 weeksYou

    Degree attested in your home country and by the Kuwait embassy. Pre-departure medical at an approved centre.

  5. 5

    Arrival, medical and fingerprints

    1–2 weeksGovernment

    Second medical test and fingerprints at the Criminal Evidence department after arrival.

  6. 6

    Residence stamp and Civil ID

    2–4 weeksEmployer

    Residence is issued, then the Civil ID from PACI. Use Sahel and Kuwait Mobile ID for most services.

  7. 7

    Housing and bank

    2–3 weeksYou

    Rent in Kuwait City; many buildings include water. Open a bank account once the Civil ID is ready.

Employment journeys

All journeys
Priya Nair, Senior Software Engineer

United Arab Emirates · Dubai

Priya Nair, Senior Software Engineer

Priya moved from a product company in Bengaluru to a Dubai fintech. Her employer sponsored the work permit and residence visa; she handled degree attestation, housing and banking herself.

per month
AED 28K
Timeline
10–14 weeks
Ahmed Hassan, Civil Engineering Project Manager

Saudi Arabia · Riyadh

Ahmed Hassan, Civil Engineering Project Manager

Ahmed joined a contractor delivering a Riyadh metro extension. Engineering roles in Saudi Arabia require professional accreditation, which added a step most other professions do not have.

per month
SAR 22K
Timeline
12–16 weeks
Maria Santos, Registered Nurse (ICU)

Qatar · Doha

Maria Santos, Registered Nurse (ICU)

Maria was recruited by a Doha hospital through a licensed agency. Healthcare is the longest route on this site because licensing has to finish before the visa can start.

per month
QAR 11K
Timeline
16–24 weeks