The Ministry of Information has introduced new fees for a wide range of media, tourism, entertainment and advertising activities, with several licensing and renewal charges increasing significantly under the new decision, which will affect businesses such as hotels, hotel apartments, resorts, cinemas, film distribution, audiovisual studios, advertising, artistic production and the retail sale of video games and software.
For the hospitality sector, the fee for issuing a hotel apartment licence has doubled to 1,500 dinars, from 750 dinars. Renewal fees have also been reorganised into three categories, with charges of 400 dinars for the first category, 500 dinars for the second and 600 dinars for deluxe units.
Hotel renewal fees will now depend on the property’s classification. The fee remains at 750 dinars for one-, two- and three-star hotels, while four- and five-star hotels will pay 1,000 dinars. Resort operators will also face higher costs. The licence issuance fee has increased to 1,900 dinars, from 750 dinars. Renewal fees are now set at 800 dinars for three-star resorts and 1,000 dinars for four- and five-star resorts.
The decision also introduces new charges for certificates and classification services. A “To Whom It May Concern” certificate will cost 20 dinars, while classification certificates and reclassification requests will cost 50 dinars. These services were previously free.
Media and creative businesses will also see higher licensing costs. The fee for issuing licences for artistic production, advertising and publicity activities has increased to 400 dinars, from 90 dinars, while the renewal fee has risen to 250 dinars from 60 dinars.
For visual and audio publications, as well as the retail sale of video games, software and related accessories, the issuance fee has increased to 300 dinars from 90 dinars. Renewal fees have risen to 200 dinars from 60 dinars, while distribution fees have increased to 300 dinars from 90 dinars.
Cinema operators face higher costs under the new structure. The issuance and distribution fees for indoor and outdoor cinemas have increased to 4,500 dinars, from 3,000 dinars, while renewal fees have risen to 1,250 dinars from 800 dinars.
The biggest increase applies to film distribution licences. The issuance fee has jumped to 5,250 dinars, from 1,500 dinars. Renewal fees have increased to 2,600 dinars from 750 dinars, while trading fees have also reached 5,250 dinars.
Businesses managing and operating audiovisual studios will also pay more. The licence issuance and trading fees have increased to 1,250 dinars from 500 dinars, while renewal fees have risen to 600 dinars from 250 dinars.
The ministry has also formally introduced fees for advertising and marketing licences. Issuance and trading fees will be 400 dinars, renewal will cost 200 dinars, and amendments or replacements will cost 40 dinars, reports Al-Anba daily.
The revised fee structure represents a broader overhaul of charges covering Kuwait’s media, tourism and entertainment activities, with businesses in several sectors now facing higher licensing and regulatory costs.
