The Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce and Industry offers company establishment services through personal visits to the ministry’s headquarters or through the ministry’s e-services portal. Kuwaiti citizens wishing to establish a new company can submit an application, wait for approval, and then begin the process of obtaining the required electronic licenses, facilitating and simplifying the process for all service beneficiaries.
How to Start a Company in Kuwait
By following the steps below, you can start a Company in Kuwait:
- Step 1: Anyone wishing to establish a company in Kuwait must prepare all required documents and go to the Department of Personal Companies at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Block 2, Ground Floor, or submit an application to establish the company electronically via the Ministry of Commerce and Industry website.
- Step 2: The license applicant must submit an application to establish the company to the department in the Ministries Complex and attach all required documents.
- Step 3: The company’s trade name must be chosen, and it must be compatible with the trade names permitted in Kuwait.
- Step 4: The Ministry will contact the relevant authorities and the Kuwait Municipality to verify the company’s location. It will also contact the Ministry of Interior to obtain a status report for the partners.
- Step 5: The Ministry will also contact any other entities whose approval is required before issuing the license (review the activity manual).
- Step 6: After verifying the feasibility of establishing the company and ensuring that the required approvals have been obtained from all responsible authorities, the bank will be contacted to reserve the company’s capital for limited liability companies.
- Step 7: The Ministry of Justice will be contacted to document the company.
- After successfully documenting the company contract at the Ministry of Justice, it will be submitted to the Ministry.
- Step 8: The Ministry will issue the license, and the company owner will pay the required fees of 30 Kuwaiti dinars.
Types of companies available for business in Kuwait
You can find out types of companies available for business in Kuwait
- One-person company (for a free micro license) – for profit.
- Limited liability company – for profit.
- One-person company – for profit.
- Joint venture – for profit.
- Limited partnership – for profit.
- Limited liability company – not-for-profit.
- One-person company – not-for-profit.
- Joint venture – not-for-profit.
- Limited partnership – not-for-profit.
- Limited Liability Company Holding.
- One-person company holding.
- Mobile commercial vehicle company.
How to Register a Company in Kuwait
You can register a company in Kuwait by following these steps below:
- Step 1: Go to Company Formation – Kuwait Business Center Page “from here“
- Step 2: Select the company category you will establish by browsing the available company types.
- Step 3: Click the arrow icon that appears when you hover your mouse over the company type.
- Step 4: Read all the terms and requirements for establishing a company.
- Step 5: Click on the “Request Service” button.
- Step 6: Follow the instructions to log in to the Ministry’s website or create a new account.
- Step 7: Enter the required information in the designated fields, including company information, founder information, and partner information.
- Step 8: Upload the required documents.
- Step 9: Click on the “Submit Request” icon and wait for the Ministry’s response after processing the request.
Company Registration Conditions in Kuwait
You can find out requirements for registering a company in Kuwait by the following table:
| The transaction | requirements |
| Company Registration General Conditions | - It must be between two persons or more.
- Partners must have clear criminal records and must not have any convictions.
- The share of the non-Kuwaiti partner must not exceed 49%.
- The foreign partner must have a valid residency visa.
- The managing partner must not be a government employee.
- Each partner must submit a proof that he paid his share in the capital.
- A limited liability company may not be established between a husband and a wife, unless there is a third partner.
- The manager must be Kuwaiti or from GCC countries.
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| Establishing a one-person company | - The applicant must be a person who holds the capacity of owner or manager of the company.
- The owner of the company must be only one person (a natural person or a legal person).
- The manager must be 21 years of age or older and not work in the government sector.
- The Gulf citizen is treated as a Kuwaiti citizen.
- The company’s activity must be among the activities permitted to be practiced within the State of Kuwait in accordance with the terms and conditions of Ministerial Resolution No. 330 of 2017.
- The criminal record of the company’s owner and manager must be free of criminal convictions (commercial cases) stipulated in accordance with the laws of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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| Establishing a limited liability company | - The applicant must be a person who holds the capacity of owner or manager of the company.
- The number of partners must not be less than (2) and the percentage of Kuwaiti ownership must be more than 51%.
- The manager must be 21 years of age or older and not work in the government sector.
- The Gulf citizen is treated as a Kuwaiti citizen.
- The company’s activity must be among the activities permitted to be practiced within the State of Kuwait in accordance with the terms and conditions of Ministerial Resolution No. 330 of 2017.
- The criminal record of the company’s owner and manager must be free of criminal convictions (commercial cases) stipulated in accordance with the laws of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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| Establishing a simple limited partnership | - The applicant must be a person who holds the capacity of the owner of the company or its manager or his representative.
- The number of partners must not be less than (2) and the percentage of Kuwaiti ownership must be more than 51%.
- The manager must be 21 years of age or older and not work in the government sector.
- The Gulf citizen is treated as a Kuwaiti citizen.
- The company must have a commercial address.
- The partners are divided into: General partners (must be Kuwaiti or Gulf) Limited partners (foreigners may enter).
- The company’s activity must be among the activities permitted to be practiced within the State of Kuwait in accordance with the terms and conditions of Ministerial Resolution No. 330 of 2017.
- The criminal record of the company’s owner and manager must be free of criminal convictions (commercial cases) stipulated in accordance with the laws of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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| Establishing a joint-stock company | - The applicant must be a person who holds the capacity of the owner of the company, its manager or his representative.
- The number of partners must not be less than (2) and the percentage of Kuwaiti ownership must be more than 51%.
- The manager must be 21 years of age or older and not work in the government sector.
- The Gulf citizen is treated as a Kuwaiti citizen.
- The company must have a commercial address.
- The company’s activity must be among the activities permitted to be practiced within the State of Kuwait in accordance with the terms and conditions of Ministerial Resolution No. 330 of 2017.
- The criminal record of the company’s owner and manager must be free of criminal convictions (commercial cases) stipulated in accordance with the laws of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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| Establishing a one-person company (micro-free) | - The applicant must be a person who holds the capacity of owner and manager of the company.
- The owner of the company must be only one natural person.
- The person must be a Kuwaiti national, 21 years of age or older, and not working in the government sector.
- The company’s activity must be one of the activities permitted to be practiced within the State of Kuwait in accordance with the terms and conditions of Ministerial Resolution No. 330 of 2017.
- The criminal record of the company’s owner and manager must be free of criminal convictions (commercial cases) stipulated in accordance with the laws of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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| Establishing a one-person company (private) | - The applicant must be a person who holds the capacity of owner and manager of the company.
- The owner of the company must be only one natural person.
- The person must be a Kuwaiti national, 21 years of age or older, and not working in the government sector.
- The company’s activity must be one of the activities permitted to be practiced within the State of Kuwait in accordance with the terms and conditions of Ministerial Resolution No. 330 of 2017.
- The criminal record of the company’s owner and manager must be free of criminal convictions (commercial cases) stipulated in accordance with the laws of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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| Establishing a sports club company | - The applicant must be a person holding the position of the company manager or his representative.
- The company owner must be a sports club.
- The manager must be 21 years of age or older and not work in the government sector.
- The trade name of the company must be the name of the sports club.
- The company’s activity must be one activity, either advertising and marketing sports clubs (single person) or playing football (limited liability).
- The criminal record of the company’s managers must be free of criminal convictions (commercial cases) stipulated in accordance with the laws of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
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Documents required to Register a Company in Kuwait
You can find out documents required to register a company in Kuwait by the following table:
| The transaction | Documents required |
| General Documents | - Copies of civil IDs of the partners and the manager
- Capital certificate for joint ventures and limited partnerships; the capital of the limited liability company is reserved during the establishment period.
- Certificate from the Public Institution for Social Security for the manager
- Lease contract and receipt
- Certificate of the address automatic number from the Public Authority of Civil Information
- Certificate of sponsor’s approval for the foreigner to enter in partnership with others approved by the Kuwait chamber of commerce and industry + signature authorization of the sponsor + work permit for the foreign partner + transferring the manager residence to the company
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| Establishing a one-person company | - If the director works within the teaching staff of the Public Authority for Applied Education for the consulting activity, he shall attach an official approval from the Public Authority for Applied Education for him to assume the management item in the application submitted to establish the company.
- If the director works for a company with the same activity, he shall attach a general assembly report approving his assumption of the management item for another company with the same activity.
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| Establishing a limited liability company | - If the director works within the teaching staff of the Public Authority for Applied Education for the consulting activity, he shall attach an official approval from the Public Authority for Applied Education for him to assume the management item in the application submitted to establish the company.
- If the director works for a company with the same activity, he shall attach a general assembly report approving his assumption of the management item for another company with the same activity.
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| Establishing a simple limited partnership | - If the director works within the teaching staff of the Public Authority for Applied Education for the consulting activity, he shall attach an official approval from the Public Authority for Applied Education for him to assume the management item in the application submitted to establish the company.
- If the director works for a company with the same activity, he shall attach a general assembly report approving his assumption of the management item for another company with the same activity.
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| Establishing a joint-stock company | - If the director works within the teaching staff of the Public Authority for Applied Education for the consulting activity, he shall attach an official approval from the Public Authority for Applied Education for him to assume the management item in the application submitted to establish the company.
- If the director works for a company with the same activity, he shall attach a general assembly report approving his assumption of the management item for another company with the same activity.
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| Establishing a one-person company (micro-free) | - If the director works within the teaching staff of the Public Authority for Applied Education for the consulting activity, he shall attach an official approval from the Public Authority for Applied Education for him to assume the management item in the application submitted to establish the company.
- If the director works for a company with the same activity, he shall attach a general assembly report approving his assumption of the management item for another company with the same activity.
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| Establishing a one-person company (private) | - If the director works within the teaching staff of the Public Authority for Applied Education for the consulting activity, he shall attach an official approval from the Public Authority for Applied Education for him to assume the management item in the application submitted to establish the company.
- If the director works for a company with the same activity, he shall attach a general assembly report approving his assumption of the management item for another company with the same activity.
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| Establishing a sports club company | - A certificate from the General Sports Authority to whom it may concern, as the legal representative of the sports club.
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Company Registration Fees
Submitting an application to establish a company through the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s website does not require any fees. However, the company owner must pay a fee of 30 Kuwaiti dinars upon issuance of the company’s license. The company’s capital must also be at least the minimum required.
Company Registration Link
You can register your company by the following link: moci.gov.kw. You must choose the company category, click on it, add the required data, and then submit your application.
Conclusion
Establishing a company in Kuwait and obtaining the required licenses can be easily accomplished through the online services provided by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Establishing a company simply requires submitting an online application, obtaining the required approvals, choosing a trade name, and completing the licensing process.
Can a foreigner own a company in Kuwait?
Foreigners can own a company in Kuwait, but only with a specific percentage. They can also open a branch of a foreign company in Kuwait, subject to specific conditions that must be met by the parent company.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Kuwait?
The company owner pays the licensing fee of thirty Kuwaiti dinars.
What documents are required to establish a company?
Partners' civil IDs, capital certificates, and other documents must be submitted depending on the company category.
How to Register a Company in Kuwait
Enter the Kuwait Business Center website, choose the company type, and then submit your application.
Can a foreign company open a branch in Kuwait?
Yes, a foreign company can open one branch in Kuwait, and the manager must be a Kuwaiti national.
