The Public Authority for Manpower has introduced a new digital service allowing partners to renew their work permits independently through its “Ashal Services” portal.
The newly launched feature enables workers classified as partners to complete their work permit renewal procedures directly online, eliminating the need for intermediaries or lengthy administrative steps, an Arab Times report said.
Officials said the move is aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing processing time, and improving user experience through a secure and streamlined digital platform. The initiative is part of wider efforts to expand e-government services and improve accessibility for residents and businesses.
According to the authority, the update is expected to significantly streamline labour procedures, reduce waiting times, and provide greater flexibility in managing renewals through the official portal at http://labour.manpower.gov.kw
The development reflects Kuwait’s continued push toward digitising government services and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks in labour-related processes.
Updated Wafid programme tightens medical checks
In a parallel regulatory update, the Ministry of Health on Sunday published a resolution implementing updated regulations for the “Wafid” programme, which mandates comprehensive medical examinations for expatriates intending to work or reside in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The resolution, which includes the eighth version of the Wafid programme approved by GCC health ministers last October, was published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm and came into effect immediately, a Kuwait Times report conveyed.
Under the revised framework, oversight of medical examinations conducted in expatriates’ home countries will be tightened before they travel to GCC states. The programme accredits medical facilities in around 30 labour-exporting countries, primarily in Asia and Africa, which collectively host hundreds of authorised testing centres.
Over the past three decades, the system has expanded from a small number of centres to about 880 facilities today. These centres are required to conduct nearly 50 medical tests covering both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Additional screening is carried out upon arrival in GCC countries, with a focus on infectious conditions.
The new resolution also details stricter operational controls, including surprise inspections of medical facilities, updated fee structures, attestation procedures by GCC missions abroad, and penalties for non-compliance.
Medicine prices reduced for hundreds of treatments
In a separate announcement, the Ministry of Health said it has reduced the prices of around 268 medicines and food supplements, further expanding its ongoing cost-cutting initiative in the pharmaceutical sector.
With the latest revision, the total number of medicines and supplements that have seen price reductions in recent periods has risen to 1,922.
The newly included list features treatments for chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as medications for heart disease and cancer. Officials said the measure helps make essential treatments more affordable and reinforces Kuwait’s position as one of the GCC countries with the lowest drug prices.
https://gulfbusiness.com/en/2026/kuwait/relief-for-expats-kuwait-rolls-out-online-work-permits-