Among the top destinations for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is Kuwait. In terms of land area, it is smaller than other countries in the region. However, Kuwait has some of the richest oil fields globally; in fact, its proven oil reserves are known to be the fifth-largest in the world!
In Kuwait, there are many OFWs in the household sector, working as domestic helpers, cooks, drivers, gardeners, and more. In fact, next to Hong Kong, Kuwait ranks as the second place where most Filipino domestic workers are based. Moreover, some Pinoys work there as caregivers, nurses, IT specialists, engineers, construction workers, and other occupations.
NOTE: As of this writing, OFWs are not yet being deployed to Kuwait. However, based on recent talks between Philippine and Kuwaiti officials, we can expect the deployment to resume by the first quarter of 2024. Philstar.com reports that a new agreement may be reached by March 2024, after which around 30,000 household service workers would be deployed to Kuwait.
Qualifications
When applying for a job in Kuwait, applicants must meet the minimum working age and have the academic qualifications and skills needed for the job. They also need to get the right type of visa, depending on the specific job offer they have.
Some of the working visas available in Kuwait are the following:
- Visa 17. This visa is issued to foreign workers who will be working in the public sector, under the Ministry of the Government of Kuwait.
- Visa 18. This visa is issued to those who will be working in the private sector. These include professionals as well as those who will be part of the service industry.
- Visa 20. This visa is issued to those with domestic jobs, such as household service workers.
Regardless of the type of job and the type of visa that you will be applying for, make sure that you work only with accredited recruitment agencies, i.e. agencies that are licensed by the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). In addition, see to it that you have a legitimate job offer in Kuwait, and that you have the necessary license (if any) and requirements for the job.
Requirements
When applying for a Kuwait work visa, the following documents must be prepared and submitted:
- Valid passport;
- 2 passport-sized photos;
- Letter of appointment/employment from sponsor;
- Medical certificate with clearance from a doctor;
- NBI and police clearances;
- Resume or curriculum vitae;
- School transcript of records; and
- Certificates of job experience.
NOTE: Additional documents may be required, depending on the type of job and visa that you are applying for.
Most Popular Jobs in Kuwait for Overseas Filipino Workers
As mentioned earlier, the top industries in Kuwait for foreign workers — including OFWs — are: healthcare, construction, hospitality, education, retail, and domestic work. Hence, some of the most in-demand jobs in the country are as follows:
- Healthcare – nurses, nursing assistants, medical technologists, etc.;
- Construction – engineers, construction workers, machine operators, etc.;
- Education – teachers, teaching assistants, etc.;
- Technicians – mechanics, welders, electricians, etc.;
- Retail – salespersons, customer service representatives, etc.; and
- Domestic Work – domestic helpers, cooks, housekeepers, drivers, etc.
How to Become an OFW in Kuwait
First of all, to apply for a job in Kuwait, you must have a job offer from a Kuwaiti employer or sponsor. Moreover, the recruitment processes involves working with a legitimate manpower agency.
As soon as you have all the necessary documents, you need to have them authenticated at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). After this, your documents will have to go another authentication, this time at the Embassy of Kuwait in Manila. This process could take 2 to 6 months, depending on the type of job and visa that you are applying for, as well as the amount of documents required.
In any case, even before you start applying for work abroad, it’s important to have documents such as your passport, transcript of records, and certificates of employment ready.
Licensed Recruitment Agencies to Kuwait
As cited earlier, working with a trusted and legitimate manpower agency is essential. Here is a list of manpower agencies that are accredited by the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to facilitate recruitment of OFWs to Kuwait:
- 1010 Ephesians Human Resources Inc.;
- 10th Story Placement Agency Inc.;
- 1st Northern International Placement Inc.;
- 21st Century Manpower Resources Inc.;
- 2TG Manpower International Corp.;
- 818 International Manpower Corporation;
- 9K International Manpower and Recruitment Services Corp.;
- A & C International Resources Inc.;
- A-Vantage International Recruitment Corp.;
- A.Kanan Manpower Corporation;
- A.D.M. International Manpower Services Company;
- AAV Talent Training & Management Inc.;
- Abundant Life Int’l Manpower Services Inc.;
- ADEL International Manpower Services
- Admiral Overseas Employment Corporation;
- Adnan International Manpower Services Corporation;
- Advance Group Link Manpower Services Inc.;
- AGE International Gulf Employment Co.;
- AJM Placement and Recruitment Agency Inc.;
- Akiro International Manpower Services Co.;
- Al Assal Manpower Inc.
- Al Awa’el International Manpower Inc.;
- Al Axa Int’l Manpower Services Inc.;
- Al-Alamia International Manpower Services;
- Al-Bayan International Manpower Services Co.;
- Al-Habib International Services Corporation;
- Al-Kingsmen International Manpower Services Co.;
- Al-Waheed Int’l Manpower Specialist Inc.;
- ALJU International Manpower Services Inc.;
- All Seasons Manpower International Services Incorporated;
- Alpha Tomo (P) Int’l Manpower Services Inc.;
- AMCAAJ International Recruitment Agency Inc.;
- American Prime Manpower Services Inc.;
- AMI Global Recruitment;
- Anchor International Manpower Services Inc.;
- Anglo-European Services Inc.;
- Ankor Management Services and Consultants Inc.;
- Aquavir International Inc;.
- Aram Enterprises Inc.;
- Arandrea Manpower Services Co.;
- ARDCORP;
- Ascent Skills Human Resources;
- Amity Productions Corp.;
- Asia System Inc.;
- ASMACS Recruitment Services Inc.;
- ASMK Int’l Human Solutions Co.;
- ATCI Overseas Corporation;
- Athena International Manpower Services Inc.;
- Augustin International Center, Inc.;
- Automatechs Manpower Solutions Inc.;
- Bagui Benguet International Recruitment Agency Inc.
- Benchstone Enterprises Inc.
- Benisce International Manpower Services Inc.;
- Best Group Marketing Agency Inc.;
- Billboard Promotion Inc.;
- Bison Management Corporation; and
- Blazing Star International Manpower Services.
NOTE: If you would like the see the complete list of all manpower agencies that are licensed to recruit land-based and sea-based OFWs around the world, please visit the official website of the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here is a list of the most frequently asked questions — and answers — about how to become an OFW in Kuwait:
1. Who are qualified to work in Kuwait?
The academic qualifications, skills, training, and other criteria required to be an OFW in Kuwait depends largely on the specific type of job that you are applying for. That being said, there are different types of visas available, including: (a) Visa 17, issued to public sector workers who will be working under the Ministry of Government of Kuwait; (b) Visa 18, which is issued to private sector employees, including professionals and workers in the service industry; and (c) Visa 20, a visa issued to household service workers and other employees with domestic jobs.
2. What are the requirements?
Generally, the most important documents you need to have are: a valid passport, letter of appointment or employment from your sponsor, medical certificate, NBI clearance, curriculum vitae, transcript of records, and certificates of employment. Please keep in mind that additional documents may be required, as well.
3. What are the most in-demand jobs for OFWs?
The most popular industries for foreign workers in Kuwait are healthcare, construction, education, retail, and domestic work. And so, the most in-demand jobs in the country include nurses, doctors, engineers, construction workers, teachers, teaching assistants, customer services representatives, salespersons, domestic helpers, and housekeepers.
4. How can I become an OFW in Kuwait?
Before anything else, you need to have a job offer from a Kuwait-based employer or sponsor. You also need to coordinate with a manpower agency that’s accredited by the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Once you have all the required documents ready, these will undergo authentication at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and later at the Embassy of Kuwait in Manila. The process could take around 2 to 6 months, depending on the type of job and the type of visa that you are applying for in Kuwait.
5. How can I learn more about working in Kuwait?
If you have any questions about becoming an OFW in Kuwait, you can get in touch with the Kuwait Embassy in Manila, whose contact details and location map are provided below.
Contact Information: Kuwait Embassy in Manila
Here are the contact details and location map of the Embassy of Kuwait in the Philippines. It is based in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Metro Manila.
Address: 8th Floor, Total Corporate Center, Kalayaan Avenue, Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila
Telephone: +63 2 8556 3860
Email: emb@pldtdsl.net
Google Map:
Video: OFW Teaches Arab Employer to Cook Adobo
Despite some of the negative news that we sometimes hear about Kuwait, there are plenty of positive situations, as well. In this video, a Filipina nanny in Kuwait is teaching her Arab employer how to cook adobo, a popular Pinoy dish.
Notably, this video is shared by the YouTube channel, “Awashaslife Kuwaiti Pinay,” which is managed by Awasha (a.k.a. Aisha), a half Kuwaiti, half Filipino vlogger who loves to talk about her experiences in Kuwait, in the Philippines, and other places.
Additional Reminders
Of course, part of your preparation for working in Kuwait is learning more about the local culture, weather, and traditions. Here are some information and tips for having a pleasant stay in Kuwait:
Take care of your documents. Everywhere you go, you should always have a copy of important documents such as your passport, job contract, and proof of residence or visa. These serve as your proof of identity, employment, and residency in Kuwait — and you never know when you might need to use them.
Renew you passport and visa regularly. Before they expire, make sure that you are able to have your passport and visa renewed. Having an expired visa means that your stay in Kuwait is illegal, and there is a corresponding fine for each day of illegal stay in the country.
Be prepared for extreme weather. The weather in Kuwait can get extremely hot, reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius during the summer! On the other hand, temperatures could drop during the winter season. Hence, it’s important to have clothes for both warm and cold weather.
Learn more about Islam. The main religion in Kuwait is Islam, and it influences the local culture — from food, clothing, religious occasions, and other activities. Therefore, learning about Islamic practices is important, even if you are non-Muslim.
That being said, Kuwait allows foreign workers, including OFWs, to practice their faiths. Whether you are Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, or other beliefs, you are free to practice your religion in Kuwait.
Dress appropriately, especially when going out. The traditional Kuwaiti clothing include a white, ankle-length garment (dishdasha) for the men, and a black over-garment (abaya) for the women. Foreigners don’t have to wear traditional clothes; western-style clothing is perfectly acceptable.
However, clothes that reveal too much skin, such as tops with plunging necklines, mini-skirts or dresses, or see-through garments are usually frowned upon, so it is best to avoid these apparel. Furthermore, it is still advisable for women to wear an abaya and clothes that cover the body.
Taste and enjoy the local cuisine. While in Kuwait, take the opportunity to try local dishes. Perhaps the most popular dish is the machboos, a dish that contains mutton, chicken, or fish, cooked with lots of spices and topped over rice. Seafood dishes are very popular, too, so you shouldn’t miss trying out such dishes.
In addition, you’d be happy to know that most supermarkets in Kuwait carry international food brands. You are likely to find several Asian (including Filipino) brands here, so don’t worry about missing your favorite dishes!
Respect the local culture. As mentioned earlier, Islam plays a major role in the local culture and practices of Kuwait. Both Muslims and non-Muslims are expected to be respectful of these practices. Thus, there are certain things that you should avoid while staying here:
- Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes, shorts, and other revealing apparel.
- Do not bring alcohol, drugs, pork products, and obscene materials.
- Avoid public displays of affection such as holding hands, hugging, and kissing.
- Do not drive while under the influence of liquor. Not only is this disrespectful; it is also dangerous!
- Living with a person who is not your wife or husband is considered illegal. This could lead to a penalty, or worse, imprisonment!
Summary
If you are planning to go to Kuwait, keep in mind that you will not only be working, but also “immersed” in another country — with certain laws, traditions, and practices. As a foreigner, being aware of these practices are a must; and you should always be mindful and respectful of the local culture.
Aside from Kuwait, there are other places in the Middle East where OFWs also prefer to go. One of these is the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this article to know more about becoming an OFW in this country!