The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on July 28, 2026 that it has temporarily suspended the issuance of new single-owner business licenses, also known as freelance licenses. The move allows for a review and update of the regulatory framework to ensure it matches the current business environment. Existing licenses will not be affected by this temporary measure, the ministry stated.
Ministry figures show 6,586 new single-owner licenses were issued between January and May 2026. This includes 1,085 in January, 1,557 in February, 1,144 in March, 1,512 in April and 1,288 in May, according to the data released by the ministry. The licenses pertain to about 122 activities in 15 sectors.
The ministry is coordinating with the Public Authority for Civil Information to improve electronic linkage of addresses and company records. This coordination forms part of the reorganization of licensing procedures. The regulatory review aims to increase transparency in the system.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel issued a decision in 2025 that regulated freelance activities across 120 fields by restricting them exclusively to Kuwaiti citizens. That decision barred expatriates and GCC nationals from serving as founders, partners or managers in the specified activities. It further extended license validity to four years, lowered the required capital to KD 50 and imposed requirements for annual financial and compliance reports.
A report from Zawya highlighted a 227.25 percent surge in new licenses for micro and freelance enterprises during the first quarter of 2025, rising to 1,453 from 1,000 in the corresponding period of 2024. The increase reflected growing interest in the freelance sector prior to tighter controls. The latest suspension follows these developments in the licensing landscape.
