Arab Times reports that Kuwait will now allow foreign workers, after three consecutive years of employment with the same employer, to transfer their residence permits to another sponsor without approval of the current sponsor. However, this policy change does not apply to: 

• foreign workers hired locally (who can transfer after one year); or
• foreign workers hired for government projects (who can only transfer after five years – unless they hold a university degree in which case they can transfer after three years).

The policy change is an attempt by the Kuwaiti government to eliminate visa trading in the country. Kuwaiti legislators, concerned that companies were taking advantage of foreign workers, applauded the move.