Languages:  

Arabic is the official language of Kuwait, however, English is widely spoken.  Farsi and Urdu is also spoken.

Cost of Living  

In general, it is cheaper to live in Kuwait than the United States. 
            Salaries range from $1,350 a month for housekeepers from the Far East to more than $9.000 a month for western business professionals.  It is very common for international corporations in Kuwait to give a rent allowance which may or may not be adequate. For more information visit: http://www.justlanded.com/english/kuwait/tools
/just_landed_guide/money/cost_of_living
           
Visas and Work Permits:  

Work visas are iqamas. To obtain residence on a work visa, an offer of employment must first be accepted. The Kuwaiti sponsoring employer then applies for a work permit from the Ministry of Social Affairs & Labour, for which the sponsor needs a copy of the employee's passport showing sector employer must then obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the General Admin-istration of Criminal Investigation at the Ministry of interior which he dose by submitting the employee's personal details.

            Visit visas and entry permits are valid for entry within 90 days of issue and then for a stay of up to 30 days only after entry. Entry permits are free.
            A visit to Kuwait must be sponsored by a Kuwait individual or company, or a resident foreigner who is relative of the visitor while he or she is in Kuwait.

For more information visit:
http://www.justlanded.com/english/kuwait/topics/visas_permits

Job Searching:

There is still a shortage of trained Kuwaitis to fill new positions in other areas of petroleum processing, agriculture, fishing, social welfare, transportation, communications, energy, tourism and defense, and teachers.  A list of companies that will sponsor foreigner workers can be found here: http://www.buyusa.gov/kuwait/en/306.html.

For more general information about the work environment, salary outlook, and general job searching tips visit: http://www.justlanded.com/english/kuwait/topics/jobs 

Cultural differences in the workplace:

The work style of Kuwait is customarily not fast-paced and intense. Work gets done, but in a relaxed and friendly manner. Most work is usually interrupted by a four-hour break in the middle of the day to avoid the mid-day heat and a longer break on Fridays (from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) for prayer.

            Islamic law rules Kuwait.  Respect the religion. It is not proper to hold hands in public unless it is your relative or spouse. Men shake men’s hands and women shake hands with women, but men usually will not shake a women’s hand in greeting. Instead, men and women usually just nod in greeting.  Some very religious men will not even look at a women’s face.

      Suits or the local dress called dishdasha is appropriate for work.  For more information visit:

http://www.justlanded.com/english/kuwait/topics/culture

Money/Banking/Taxes:

There are no taxes in Kuwait.
            Kuwait has seven conventional banks and one Islamic bank. Kuwait's conventional and Islamic banks offer a vast range of services including current and savings accounts, with various terms and interest rates, including on-line enquiries and cash withdrawals 24 hours a day from ATM's at various locations and commercially active areas in the country.  For more information visit:
http://www.justlanded.com/english/kuwait/topics/money 

Safety and Security:  

For complete safety and security info please refer to:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_944.html