Kuwait to resume full government working hours from May 3, 2026
Kuwait will restore full government working hours from May 3, 2026, with 100% staffing and evening shifts reinstated following a Cabinet decision on April 28, 2026.
The Civil Service Bureau announced the return to full government working hours in all state entities, directing ministries and public bodies to raise staffing levels to 100% and resume normal operating schedules. The bureau’s statement, carried by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), said the measures take effect on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The move restores standard daytime hours without reduction and brings back the evening shift across government departments.
Civil Service Bureau issues implementation order
The bureau instructed all government entities to begin immediate procedures to restore full staffing and working schedules, according to the official statement. Agencies were told to prepare administrative arrangements and update workforce rosters to meet the 100% capacity requirement. The directive marks a formal reversal of previously reduced staffing or staggered hours and aims to re-establish regular in-person public administration.
Cabinet decision of April 28, 2026 provides legal basis
The return to normal hours follows a Cabinet decision made at the government meeting held on April 28, 2026, which authorized the Civil Service Bureau’s circular. That meeting served as the policy trigger for lifting temporary operational adjustments in ministries and public institutions. Government sources said the Cabinet’s resolution set the timeline and instructed relevant authorities to coordinate the phased reactivation of full services.
Normal hours and evening shifts reinstated across ministries
Government offices will operate under their standard daily schedules without the earlier reductions, and evening shifts will resume where they had been suspended. The bureau’s guidance specifies that agencies must ensure full coverage during core hours and reintroduce late shifts that provide extended public-facing services. Restoring evening shifts is expected to benefit sectors that rely on extended operating hours such as licensing offices and certain customer-service centers.
Operational steps required of agencies
Ministries and public bodies have been asked to submit implementation plans and adjust human resources arrangements to accommodate the return to full attendance. Administrative units are expected to coordinate internal schedules, update timekeeping systems, and manage any outstanding leave or shift allocations. The Civil Service Bureau will remain the central authority overseeing the administrative roll-out to ensure consistency across government entities.
Anticipated impact on public services and business processes
Officials said the move aims to accelerate public service delivery and reduce backlogs that surfaced during reduced-capacity periods. Citizens and businesses can expect more predictable office hours for transactions that require in-person attendance, potentially shortening processing times for permits and official documents. The restoration of full government working hours is also likely to ease pressure on digital appointment systems by increasing in-person capacity.
Monitoring, compliance and next administrative steps
The Civil Service Bureau indicated that compliance with the directive will be monitored and that agencies are responsible for reporting progress to central authorities. Ministries are expected to confirm readiness and address operational gaps before the May 3, 2026 start date. Further administrative guidance may be issued to manage sector-specific needs or to resolve logistical issues that arise during implementation.
The decision to restore full government working hours reflects a coordinated policy shift endorsed by the Cabinet on April 28, 2026 and promulgated by the Civil Service Bureau for immediate execution. Citizens are advised to check directly with the relevant ministries and public agencies for precise opening times and any service-specific arrangements as the new schedules take effect on Sunday, May 3, 2026.