Kuwait Restricts Worker Recruitment From Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya

Kuwait City, June 10, 2026 - Kuwaiti authorities have published a revised list of countries from which companies are permitted to recruit foreign workers, placing Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya among nations facing recruitment restrictions.

The decision, announced by Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, outlines countries approved for labor recruitment as part of efforts to regulate foreign employment and improve labor management systems in the Gulf nation.

Countries approved for worker recruitment include South Africa, Benin, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Nepal, and Senegal.

At the same time, Kuwait identified 27 countries from which recruitment by local companies is restricted. The list includes Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Madagascar, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia, and Cameroon, among others.

Kuwaiti authorities said the decision was made following consultations involving the ministries responsible for foreign affairs and health, as well as the country’s labor regulatory agency.

Officials indicated that in some cases the restrictions apply specifically to female workers, while male workers from affected countries may continue to be eligible for employment opportunities.

The revised recruitment framework forms part of Kuwait’s broader efforts to address long-standing concerns surrounding the recruitment and management of foreign labor, a sector that has frequently faced criticism over inefficiencies and employment-related challenges.

Kuwait remains one of the major destinations in the Middle East for African migrant workers, many of whom are employed in domestic services, hospitality, industry, and restaurant sectors.