Kafeel

Kafeel (Arabic: كفيل) is a term meaning sponsor or guarantor. In Arabic, a kafeel is a person or entity that undertakes responsibility for another’s obligations, such as guaranteeing a contract, a loan, or the care of dependents. The word is used in legal, financial, and contractual contexts and has various transliterations in English, including kafel and kafee, reflecting different pronunciations and transliteration systems.

In the Gulf region, the related concept kafala describes a sponsorship system in which a kafeel typically acts as the employer or sponsor for a migrant worker. The kafeel is often responsible for arranging and maintaining the worker’s visa and residency, and may have influence over employment terms, movement, and renewals. The worker’s ability to change jobs or leave the country has historically been tied to the sponsor, though protections and procedures have evolved in many countries.

The kafala system has drawn widespread criticism for potentially enabling coercive labor practices and limiting workers’ mobility and rights. In response, several states have introduced reforms aimed at increasing worker protections, facilitating job changes, or decoupling residency from a single sponsor. The extent and pace of changes vary by country, and debates continue regarding how best to balance sponsorship with workers’ rights.

Etymology and usage notes: the term derives from Arabic roots related to guaranteeing or pledging. While most often discussed in the context of labor and immigration, kafeel can also appear in other legal or financial guarantor roles, with the exact duties defined by applicable law or contract.