Sponsoring a domestic worker in Kuwait involves recruitment fees, a PAM work permit, a medical and residency, and — since mid-2026 — new household eligibility caps. This guide breaks down the real costs, the current rules and the step-by-step process.
Who can sponsor a domestic worker
Domestic worker permits are handled by the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) alongside the Ministry of Interior. Rules introduced with the Sahel app rollout in June 2026 tie eligibility to marital and family status and cap how many workers a household can sponsor:
- Single women: one domestic worker and one driver.
- Married, divorced or widowed women with children: one domestic worker and one driver.
- Married, divorced or widowed men: up to three domestic workers and one driver.
- Single men: one driver only.
A minimum household income requirement also applies, so it is worth confirming your eligibility on Sahel before you start recruitment.
Recruitment and visa costs
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry sets the maximum recruitment cost. In 2026 the fee for a worker hired through a licensed recruitment agency was reduced to KD 890 (down KD 100 from KD 990). Hiring directly — without an agency — is capped lower.
| Item | Approximate cost (KD) |
|---|---|
| Recruitment via licensed agency (cap) | 890 |
| Direct hire (cap, includes ticket and quarantine) | 390 |
| PAM work permit fee | 150 |
| Entry visa | ~3 |
| Annual residence (per year) | 10–20 |
| Medical exam and health insurance | Variable |
On top of these one-off costs sits the worker’s monthly salary. The government minimum wage for domestic workers is KD 60 per month, but several embassies set higher floors (commonly KD 120–150) for their nationals under bilateral agreements, so the effective minimum depends on the worker’s nationality.
Step by step
- Check eligibility on the Sahel app against the household caps above.
- Choose a route — a licensed recruitment agency (higher fee, more support) or direct hire.
- Sign the standard contract setting salary, duties and conditions.
- Complete the medical and arrange the mandatory health insurance.
- Pay the PAM permit and issue the entry visa.
- Finalise residency and the Civil ID once the worker arrives.
As of mid-2026, new applications, renewals, transfers and cancellations are processed inside the Sahel app, and a service-centre visit is no longer needed for most transactions. Budget roughly two to four weeks from contract signing to arrival.
The contract and the worker’s rights
Kuwait’s domestic labour law sets minimum protections that the standard contract must honour. These include a defined weekly rest day, paid annual leave, an end-of-service benefit, and limits on working hours. The employer cannot withhold the worker’s passport, and salaries should be paid on time — increasingly through documented channels. A clear, signed contract protects both sides and is required for the permit, so avoid informal arrangements that skip it.
Renewals, transfers and cancellation
The residency must be renewed annually, and — like the initial application — renewals, transfers to a new sponsor and cancellations are now handled in the Sahel app for most cases. If a worker moves to a new employer, the transfer is processed digitally, subject to the new sponsor meeting the eligibility caps. When employment ends, the sponsor is responsible for either transferring or cancelling the visa properly; leaving a cancelled or absconded status unresolved can create complications for the household’s future sponsorship applications.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting recruitment before confirming eligibility under the new household caps.
- Paying an agency more than the KD 890 regulated ceiling.
- Skipping the medical or health insurance and hitting delays at residency stage.
- Letting the annual residency lapse, which triggers overstay fines.
Your obligations as a sponsor
The sponsor is responsible for the worker’s salary paid on time, accommodation, food, medical care and the annual residency renewal. Kuwait’s wider labour framework — including end-of-service entitlements — is worth understanding; see our guide to Kuwait labour law and end-of-service indemnity. The residency itself must be renewed each year, as covered in our Kuwait Iqama renewal guide.
Bottom line
Expect a realistic all-in first-year cost in the region of KD 1,000–1,100 through an agency once the permit, visa and residency are added, plus the monthly salary. Confirm your household eligibility on Sahel first, keep the contract and insurance in order, and use the app for renewals. For the broader residency picture, see our Kuwait visa and residency guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can a single man sponsor a maid in Kuwait?
Under the rules introduced with the Sahel rollout in mid-2026, a single man may sponsor a driver only, not a domestic worker. Single women, and married, divorced or widowed applicants, have wider entitlements as set out in the caps above.
How much is a maid visa in Kuwait?
The regulated recruitment ceiling through a licensed agency is KD 890, or roughly KD 390 for a direct hire that includes the ticket and quarantine. Add the KD 150 PAM permit, a small entry-visa fee and annual residency of KD 10–20, then the worker’s monthly salary on top.
Do I have to provide health insurance?
Yes. A medical examination and mandatory health insurance are part of the process, and the residency stage can stall without them.
Primary source: the Kuwait Ministry of Interior e-services portal.
