One Office Opens Five Doors for Kuwait’s Entrepreneurial Future

Kuwait’s business scene is shifting gears, and the latest decision might just be the spark entrepreneurs and enterprises have been waiting for.

In a move to modernize the local business environment and boost Kuwait’s global competitiveness. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a ministerial decision allowing up to five commercial licenses to be held at a single business location, provided they belong to the same owner or entity.

Why This Matters
The decision could reshape how entrepreneurs manage their operations. It’s especially relevant for those running multiple ventures from a single location or expanding into new areas.

Here’s what’s on the table:

• One location. Up to five commercial licenses
• Applies if all licenses are owned (50% or more) by the same entity or individual
• Aims to reduce red tape, cut costs, and eliminate the black market for fake office addresses

What’s in it for Businesses?

Less hassle, more growth

Forget setting up a separate location for every license. With this rule, scaling becomes simpler and more agile.

Cut down on costs

No more paying rent for five locations. One verified space can now house multiple business operations.

A cleaner startup ecosystem

By tackling fake business addresses, the new rule builds trust and transparency in the Kuwaiti business environment.

Faster, fairer handling of violations

If one license violates the rules, it can be suspended on its own. Your main business stays active and unaffected.

Who Qualifies and How to Apply?

This benefit is available to individuals or legal entities that own more than 50% of each license.

To apply:

• Submit a request through the Ministry’s One-Stop Service Platform
• Include a valid rental contract and payment receipt under the main entity’s name
• Ensure the office complies with Kuwait Municipality zoning regulations

Once approved, the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) will assign up to five separate civil numbers linked to the shared business location, giving each license its own legal identity.

Safeguards in Place

To maintain the system’s integrity:

• Government authorities will inspect unified office locations
• Violations will be addressed by suspending specific licenses
• Kuwait Municipality will verify that business activities align with the property’s zoning classification

This ensures the new rule is used for legitimate growth, not shortcuts.

Still in the Works

Some legal and technical details are still being addressed:

• What if one license is in violation? Authorities are working on systems that allow only the violating license to be suspended — not the whole business.
• How will address registration work? Each license may receive a unique civil number and official mailing address, ensuring clear legal accountability.

A Smarter, More Flexible Business Landscape

The Ministry is simplifying operations as part of a broader reform plan to:

• Supporting Kuwait’s SMEs and startups
• Reducing operational burdens
• Attracting investment
• Driving economic innovation and digital transformation

More changes may follow, including reducing the ownership threshold and expanding eligible business types.

Need help managing multiple ventures under one roof?

Tap supports growing businesses with smarter licensing, payments, and operational tools. Whether you're managing one business or five, Tap Payments is here to help you thrive. You can reach out to our team of experts by email at hello@tap.company or through the live chat available 24/7 on our website.