TaxSavvyKW

Which projects KDIPA tends to approve

Will KDIPA approve my small consulting firm?

The situation

KDIPA approvals are reported as selective, favouring larger projects in technology, healthcare, logistics and manufacturing.

The law

  • Law No. 116 of 2013 on the promotion of direct investment (KDIPA): KDIPA can licence up to 100% foreign owned entities and grant incentives including tax relief, outside the general 49% limit

What it means for you

Secondary sources describe small service companies and consultancies as rarely approved. If your project is small, a WLL with protections may be more realistic. If you proceed, show concrete Kuwaiti hiring and knowledge transfer.

What to do

  1. Assess project size and sector.
  2. Gather evidence of local benefit.
  3. Consider a WLL fallback.
  4. Apply only with a strong case.

Approval patterns are from secondary sources.

We can do this for youKDIPA licence for a 100% foreign owned entity or branch: KWD 3,000

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