What is Visa 18 and 20 in Kuwait?

Visa 18 and visa 20 are both types of work permits in Kuwait issued to expatriates, allowing them to legally reside and work in the country. If you’re looking to know more about these two common types of Kuwait visas, then this guide is for you. We will be exploring the Kuwait Article 18 and Article 20 visas, their features, differences, and requirements. Know which visa to apply for and understand the category of your work permit. 

What is Article 18 Visa (Visa 18)?

To obtain Visa 18, one is usually required to have a valid job offer from a Kuwaiti private entity and fulfill all the visa application requirements for permit approval. 

The Kuwait Visa 18 is in two categories:

• Project Visa: This is a non-transferable type of Visa 18 that requires a work contract for issuance. Here the employer bears the responsibility of sponsoring immigration costs while the employee is not allowed to switch jobs or employers for the initial 3 years of the work contract.
• Non-Project Visa: This is a transferable type of Visa 18 that does not require a work contract for issuance. In this case, expatriates are not tied to any employer and can easily change their workplace with 3 months’ prior notice.

Visa 18 is suitable for professional, office, or skilled labour jobs such as engineers, technicians, sales staff, office workers, company drivers, etc. 

What is Article 20 Visa 

Visa 20 is a type of residency permit issued to domestic workers of foreign origin. Also known as Khadim Visa, Visa 20 allows the legal employment of an expatriate as a housemaid, cook, private driver, babysitter, gardener, etc., either by a Kuwaiti citizen or by an expatriate fellow. 

These are the key features of Kuwait Visa 20:

• Kuwait Visa 20 is transferable under certain conditions, meaning that expatriate domestic workers can only change jobs or employers with their sponsor’s approval or after completing a specified service period.
• It is sponsored by an individual or family and not corporate entities.
• Visa 20 can be transferred to Visa 18 if the applicant fulfills all requirements. 

Requirements for Kuwait Visa 18

Before the issuance of a Visa 18 in Kuwait, specific criteria must be met by both sponsors and employees. To obtain a Visa 18, applicants are required to fulfill the requirements outlined in this section.

Visa 18 Requirements for Sponsor

• The employing company must be registered and have a valid operating license.
• A signed formal employment offer containing the work contract must be presented. 
• Health insurance for the prospective employee is required. 
• Sponsors are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Interior to facilitate the entry of the foreign candidate.
• Sponsors are generally required to provide a bank guarantee as a form of financial assurance to the state, often to cover potential repatriation costs.
• Sponsors are required to take responsibility for employee welfare, from their entry costs to residency expenses. 
• Other requirements include a valid labour file, proof of job necessity, an authorized signatory certificate, and an application for the prospective employee’s work permit.

Visa 18 Requirements for Expatriates

• Applicants must have a valid passport.
• Applicants must undergo medical examinations to prove they are free from certain contagious diseases.
• A signed employment contract from the Kuwaiti employer may be necessary depending on the Visa 18 category.
• A certificate from the applicant’s home country or country of last residence, confirming they have no criminal record, is a mandatory requirement.
• Applicants must provide recent photographs meeting specific requirements. 
• Depending on the job role and requirements, authenticated copies of the applicant’s educational qualifications and professional experience certificates may be necessary.

Requirements for Kuwait Visa 20

The requirements for Kuwait Visa 20 vary for sponsors and foreign applicants. To know what is required of you, check out the detailed Visa 20 requirements below. 

Visa 20 Requirements for Sponsor

• Employers or sponsors must be ready to prove that they have enough income to pay the salary of domestic workers they are willing to employ. This can be demonstrated through bank statements or salary certificates. Minimum income requirements may vary.
• A copy of civil ID or a valid residence permit (if applicable) is required.
• A signed formal employment offer containing the work contract must be presented. 
• Employers are expected to provide a bank guarantee to cover the costs of deportation if the employee is faced with such. 
• For male sponsors, there can be conditions related to having a wife living with them if sponsoring a female domestic worker.
• Sponsors are required to take responsibility for the employee’s welfare, provide accommodation, and initiate the visa application process. 

Visa 20 Requirements for Expatriates

• Applicants must possess a valid passport.
• Minimum and maximum age requirements may apply depending on the kind of domestic work. They often fall between 20 and 21 (for minimum) and 50 and 60 (for maximum).
• A signed document containing the employment offer and work contract is required. 
• Applicants are required to undergo medical examinations to confirm they are free from contagious diseases.
• A police clearance certificate confirming zero criminal record may be required. 
• Applicants must provide recent photographs meeting specific requirements. 

Differences Between Kuwait Visa 18 and Visa 20

Often confused with each other, Visa 18 and Visa 20 serve different purposes. While Visa 18 enables employment in Kuwait’s private sector, Visa 18 only enables employment for domestic/household work. See the table below for other major differences: 

Conclusion

Kuwait Visa 18 and Visa 20 are both residency visas that allow one to legally live and work in Kuwait. If you’re seeking employment in the Kuwait private sector, Visa 18 is the right work permit for you. But if you’re taking a household job, then Visa 20 is the suitable visa to apply for.