Kuwait Domestic Worker Recruitment Cost Calculator
Choose where the worker comes from, your family type and how many domestic workers you already have; leave the price empty to use the maximum and see the first-year and two-year cost.
Calculate the recruitment cost
Maximum domestic worker recruitment price in Kuwait
| Category | Maximum (KWD) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | 750 | Air ticket and procedures |
| Africa | 575 | Air ticket and procedures |
| Private passport | 350 | Ticket not stated |
Set by Commerce Minister Decision 2/2024 on 9 January 2024, amending Decision 103/2022. The cap was KWD 990 in 2018, 890 in February 2021, then 850 for the Philippines and 700 for India, Sri Lanka and Nepal excluding the ticket in August 2022. Some articles still cite 990 in 2025, but we found no decision raising the cap after 2/2024.
New residence fees for domestic workers
| Worker | Kuwaiti family | Expat family |
|---|---|---|
| Worker no. 1 | 10 | 50 |
| Worker no. 2 | 10 | 50 |
| Worker no. 3 | 10 | 400 |
| Worker no. 4 | 50 | 500 |
| Worker no. 5 | 100 | 500 (assumed) |
The new regulation took effect on 23 December 2025. Temporary residence for a domestic worker is KWD 5 a month. The fee for an expat family's 5th worker has not been published; the table assumes 500, the same as the 4th.
The office's 6-month guarantee
Under Article 6 of Ministerial Decision 2194/2016, the office refunds what was paid and takes the worker back within 6 months of receipt, in cases including refusal to work and absence. If the worker leaves before 6 months, the full amount is refunded with the return ticket.
How much is a housemaid's salary in Kuwait?
The legal minimum is KWD 75 a month (Law 68/2015). The Philippines requires KWD 120 (USD 400), offices raised Filipina contracts to KWD 150 by agreement in 2025, and Ethiopian workers get about KWD 100 when new and 110 with experience.
Examples:
Asian worker for a Kuwaiti family with fewer than 3 workers, salary 120: 750 + 10 + 120 × 12 = KWD 2,200 in the first year, or 2,560 at a salary of 150.
Asian worker as an expat family's second worker, salary 120: 750 + 50 + 1,440 = KWD 2,240; as the third, the residence fee is 400.
If you are an expat, also see your family residence fees in Kuwait, and compare with Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to recruit a housemaid in Kuwait in 2026?
Commerce Minister Decision 2/2024 caps it at KWD 750 for a worker from Asia and KWD 575 from Africa, including the air ticket, and KWD 350 when the employer provides the worker's passport (private passport). With a KWD 10 residence and a KWD 120 salary, the first year costs a Kuwaiti family about KWD 2,200.
How much is a housemaid's residence fee in Kuwait after the change?
From 23 December 2025: for a Kuwaiti family, KWD 10 a year per worker for up to 3 workers, then KWD 50 for the 4th and 100 for the 5th. For an expat family, KWD 50 a year per worker for up to 2 workers, then 400 for the 3rd and 500 for the 4th. Temporary residence is KWD 5 a month.
What is the minimum wage for a domestic worker in Kuwait?
KWD 75 a month under Law 68/2015. The Philippines requires KWD 120 (USD 400), offices raised Filipina contracts to KWD 150 by agreement in 2025, and Ethiopian workers get about KWD 100 when new and 110 with experience.
Does the office refund me if the worker refuses to work?
Yes, within 6 months of receiving the worker: the office refunds what was paid and takes the worker back if she refuses to work or is absent, under Article 6 of Ministerial Decision 2194/2016. If she leaves before 6 months, the full amount is refunded with the return ticket.
Is the KWD 990 or 890 price still valid?
Not as far as we found. KWD 990 was the 2018 cap and 890 the February 2021 cap; Decision 2/2024 in January 2024 then set KWD 750 for Asia including the ticket. Some articles still cite 990, but we found no decision raising the cap after 2/2024.
Sources
- Al Jarida — KWD 750 maximum including the ticket, Decision 2/2024 (10/1/2024)
- Gulf News — Kuwait sets fee limits for hiring domestic workers (9/1/2024)
- Ministerial Decision 2194/2016 on domestic labour offices (NATLEX translation)
- Arab Times — office must compensate the sponsor within 6 months (22/5/2021)
- Kuwait Times — new residence and visa fees (23/11/2025)
- Al Rai — Ethiopian workers at KWD 575 (5/10/2024)
- Al Jarida — Filipina salaries at KWD 150 (16/9/2025)
Figures and formulas on this page were last reviewed on 2026-11-03.