Kuwait today is not only a popular tourist destination. More and more people are considering this city as a place to start or continue a career. Citizens of the country make up less than 15% of the population, so vacancies for work in Kuwait are constantly present on the international labor market.

For most Indians, working in Kuwait has a range of benefits, from salary levels to improve English proficiency.

So many citizens of India are asking one question: “Is it necessary? Should I look for a job in Kuwait? The answer is quite simple – yes! Read our article further in order to permanently deal with this issue.

Kuwait is the very country that is developing inexorably and occupies a leading position in all spheres: both economic and cultural. It is for this reason that Kuwait is constantly in need of labor. Especially workers are required in the tourism sector, as every year crowds of tourists come to the cities of Kuwait. According to statistics, the number of tourists exceeds 10 million per year.

Based on this, the country is constantly building such facilities as hotels, restaurants, cafes, parks, water parks, shopping and entertainment centers and much more. First of all, all these objects are aimed at tourists, therefore, the most qualified staff is required in these buildings.

Specificity of labor migration toKuwait

For any employee planning their employment abroad, it is important to know the laws of the employer’s country in order to be able to protect themselves in case of unforeseen situations while away from their homeland.

The country has a visa regime. All migrants coming to work in Kuwait must have a visa. There are several types of visas:

• temporary;
• transit;
• resident;
• tourist;
• guest room;
• multiple.

Expats receive work visas (Employment Visa), but only if there is an employer acting as a sponsor. After obtaining a visa, a residence permit must be issued. In the absence of a person in the country for more than six months, the residence permit is automatically canceled.

Jobs and job search in Kuwait

The basic requirements for vacancies in Kuwait are standard: education, language proficiency, professional skills and good health. You can find current vacancies in Kuwait in 2 ways: through specialized websites and recruitment agencies.

In the first case, you will have to independently conduct a small market research, write a resume (in English) and send it to the mail of potential employers. In the second case, a recruitment agency will come to the rescue, which has its own database of proven employers, as well as extensive experience in the employment of Indian citizens. Most of these agencies have international status and will help in finding jobs in Kuwait.

Jobs for citizens of India

A large number of agencies operate in India, the purpose of which is to recruit personnel for Kuwait companies. In most cases, the intermediary services are paid by the potential employer. If the applicant himself is a customer, then the cost of the search will vary from 800 to 1100 dollars.

Large companies are recruiting through their own Internet portals, so you can usually get there only through an agency.

Most of the vacancies are open in the recruitment sections for enterprises from the service and trade sectors. The following workers are constantly required:

• waiters and bartenders;
• sales consultants;
• fitness instructors;
• builders (crane operators, installers, electricians);
• teachers of foreign languages;
• designers and decorators;
• administrators;
• cooks;
• cosmetologists;
• massage therapists and manicure masters;
• security guards and parking attendants;
• dancers and animators.

Our compatriots are also in demand on Arab airlines. Among the staff there are Indian-speaking pilots, stewards and stewardesses, as well as airport attendants.

The IT business is constantly looking for talented programmers, computer security specialists, and game developers.

According to the latest statistics, in 2020 the number of the Indian-speaking population in Kuwait was about 70-75 thousand.

Demanded specialties and salary

The Labor Code of Kuwait does not fix the minimum wage. The company itself decides how much it will pay a visiting specialist. The lowest level of payment (25-27 thousand rubles) is typical for unskilled work, which is done by visitors from the poorest countries in Asia. These are cleaners, gardeners, loaders.

Higher earnings in the service sector. The average salary of employees of restaurants and hotels is 45-47 thousand rubles. There is also a special system of additional payments in this industry: tips, bonuses, special services (organization and servicing of banquets, business meetings, conferences).

Qualified specialists with high professional skills earn the most – from 250 thousand to 1 million rubles per month.

Average wages in various sectors of Kuwait in dollars:

• Waiter 800-1000
• Bartender 1000-1200
• Driver (taxi, freight) 1200-4000
• Stewardess 2000-2500
• Pilot (aircraft captain) 8000 (10000-12000)
• English teacher 3500-3700
• Nanny, housekeeper 1500
• Financial Analyst 5800-6000
• Electrical Engineer 4500
• Seller (appliances, furniture) 2000-2100
• Builder (welder) 3800-4000
• System Administrator 2800-3000
• Real estate agent 4000-4500
• Security guard, fireman 5000-5300
• Designer 4000-4100
• Cosmetologist 2800-3000
• Cook 2500-5000

The active development of the IT industry has led to an increase in demand for such professions as a programmer, system administrator, web designer. The average salary of a programmer is 300 thousand rubles, the minimum bar for a system administrator is 170 thousand rubles. IT project managers receive over 400 thousand rubles.

The highest paying industries in the Kuwait are:

• Banking sector. Here, the salary of specialists with work experience reaches 1 million per month.
• Oil and gas sector. The average salary is 800 thousand rubles. So, for example, managers of the oil company “Lukoil” receive from 750 to 900 thousand rubles. The leading link is over 1 million 200 thousand rubles.
• Construction. Highly skilled workers are constantly required and can count on 500-700 thousand rubles.
• Real estate. Sellers in the peak season can earn up to 700 thousand rubles.
• The medicine. Indian specialists with certified diplomas are highly valued in the United Arab Emirates. The average salary of a novice doctor is 250 thousand rubles. An experienced specialist earns up to 600 thousand, and the head of a medical center – up to 1 million 200 thousand rubles a month.

If there is no knowledge of English, a Indian will have to choose among professions that do not involve communication with clients: musicians, dancers, as well as representatives of the cleaning and gardening industry. However, in the latter industry there is a lot of competition due to the citizens of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and therefore the salaries are relatively low – 500-700 dollars.

Basic requirements for foreign workers

Requirements for candidates:

• age (from 18 to 40 years);
• the presence of a medical certificate;
• language skills (minimum English).
• compliance with visa requirements;
• having a contract with an employer.

When hiring employees for the positions of administrators and managers in Kuwait hotels, a pleasant appearance is taken into account, as well as such qualities as friendliness and sociability.

When applying for the position of project manager, engineer, architect and other highly qualified professions, confirmation of the diploma is required.

Every year, all labor immigrants are entitled to a month’s vacation. After the contract expires, the employer is obliged to purchase an air ticket for his employee to return home. In addition, if you suddenly get sick, for 90 days your treatment will be free, at the expense of medical insurance.

All foreign nationals who work legally in Kuwait are eligible for an employment card that allows them to reside in the emirate for three years with full renewal rights. For example, in one of the most popular emirates, Kuwait, almost every person owns a labor card.

Pros and cons of working in the Kuwait

When looking for vacancies at Kuwait enterprises, it should be taken into account that, in addition to the advantages, working in this country has a number of significant disadvantages. It:

• unusual climate for Europeans and residents of Eastern Europe;
• the requirement to observe the traditions of Islam and Sharia law;
• the need to leave the country (for at least six months) upon termination of the work contract;
• cost of living (high prices for housing, food, services).

Speaking about the benefits, it is worth noting:

• high earnings;
• absence of income tax;
• annual paid vacation;
• free insurance, transport and food (if provided by the contract);
• experience in leading companies;
• improving English proficiency.

To move or not, everyone decides on their own, based on the terms of the contract, expectations and life experience.