Domestic Workers In Kuwait Not Subject To Exit Permit Rule, Manpower Authority Confirms
In an official statement, the authority described as 'entirely false' reports suggesting that sponsors must secure exit permits for their domestic workers via Sahel, Kuwait's government services app, before travel is permitted.
While Kuwait had earlier introduced a system mandating exit permits for private sector workers seeking to travel abroad — a measure intended to regulate labour mobility and ensure contractual compliance — domestic workers remain explicitly excluded from this requirement so far.
PAM reiterated that no such travel restrictions or permit procedures apply to them. The exit permit rule took effect on July 1.
The inaccurate social media posts claimed that sponsors were required to use the 'Public Authority for Manpower' section of the Sahel app to apply for the exit permit at least one day prior to departure. The posts also alleged that supporting documents had to be uploaded to activate the permit.
PAM stated that no such process exists and emphasised that no official procedures concerning exit permits for domestic workers have been launched or announced. The authority urged the public to rely exclusively on official government channels for information and to avoid spreading unverified rumours.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
10-07-2025
- Gulf Insider
Domestic Workers In Kuwait Not Subject To Exit Permit Rule, Manpower Authority Confirms
Domestic workers in Kuwait are not yet required to obtain exit permits to leave the country, the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) confirmed, refuting a wave of misleading reports that circulated widely on social media. In an official statement, the authority described as 'entirely false' reports suggesting that sponsors must secure exit permits for their domestic workers via Sahel, Kuwait's government services app, before travel is permitted. While Kuwait had earlier introduced a system mandating exit permits for private sector workers seeking to travel abroad — a measure intended to regulate labour mobility and ensure contractual compliance — domestic workers remain explicitly excluded from this requirement so far. PAM reiterated that no such travel restrictions or permit procedures apply to them. The exit permit rule took effect on July 1. The inaccurate social media posts claimed that sponsors were required to use the 'Public Authority for Manpower' section of the Sahel app to apply for the exit permit at least one day prior to departure. The posts also alleged that supporting documents had to be uploaded to activate the permit. PAM stated that no such process exists and emphasised that no official procedures concerning exit permits for domestic workers have been launched or announced. The authority urged the public to rely exclusively on official government channels for information and to avoid spreading unverified rumours.
Gulf Insider
29-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Launches English Language Exit Permit Feature On Sahel App For Private Sector Expats
Kuwait has launched an English-language version of its digital exit permit system on the government's Sahel mobile application, a move aimed at streamlining labour mobility and reinforcing state oversight of private sector expatriate workers. Beginning July 1, 2025, all expatriates employed under Article 18 visas—those working in the private sector — will be required to obtain an employer-approved exit permit before traveling abroad. The new process is mandatory and must be completed through the Sahel app. To request a permit, users must log into Sahel, navigate to the Services section, and select the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM). Under 'Expatriate Workers Services,' users will find the Exit Permit option, where they can input their intended departure and return dates and submit the request for employer approval. The system stipulates that applications must be submitted no earlier than seven days and no later than 24 hours before the intended departure. Kuwaiti authorities have framed the initiative as part of a broader digital transformation strategy, aimed at increasing transparency and simplifying administrative procedures for both employers and employees. The launch of the English-language interface marks a significant step toward accessibility for the country's large and diverse expatriate population, who make up most of the Kuwait's labour force.
Gulf Insider
13-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait's New Visa And Residency Rules: All You Need To Know
For decades, Kuwait has been a hub of opportunity for expatriates, drawing workers from around the world with the promise of stable jobs and tax-free salaries. Yet, as the Gulf nation tightens its controls on who comes, who stays, and who goes, navigating Kuwait's visa system has become a challenge that touches on everything from labour rights and family life to new digital platforms and legal restrictions. If you're considering a move to Kuwait, or are already living in the country as a foreign worker or family member, here's everything you need to know, whether you're applying for your first tourist visa or contemplating a return home. Early this week, Kuwait announced a major policy shift for the country's vast expatriate workforce: all foreign private sector employees (holders of Article 18 residency) must obtain explicit employer approval before leaving the country. This 'exit permit' system, common elsewhere in the Gulf under the kafala (sponsorship) system, is now fully in force in Kuwait, effective July 1. If you work for a private company, you cannot leave Kuwait, even temporarily, unless your employer (the 'kafeel') approves your travel through the official government portals. This includes both permanent departures and routine vacations. The system is online, streamlined through the 'Sahel' app or the Ashal Manpower Portal, but ultimately, your employer's approval is a must. How to apply : Employees must log in to the Sahel app, submit a request with their civil ID and travel dates, and wait for employer approval. If your employer does not respond or denies your request without cause, you can file a complaint with the Public Authority of Manpower. : Employees must log in to the Sahel app, submit a request with their civil ID and travel dates, and wait for employer approval. If your employer does not respond or denies your request without cause, you can file a complaint with the Public Authority of Manpower. Who is affected : All private sector expats (Article 18 residency) and their dependents; government employees have long needed departmental permission for travel. : All private sector expats (Article 18 residency) and their dependents; government employees have long needed departmental permission for travel. Why now? Authorities say the measure will prevent illegal departures, ensure workers fulfill financial obligations, and crack down on abuses like absconding or labor market irregularities. The new exit permit regulation is deeply intertwined with the 'kafala' sponsorship system, a framework widely prevalent in the Gulf. Under kafala, migrant workers' visas are tied directly to their employers, granting sponsors considerable control over their employees' legal status and, historically, their movement. While many GCC countries have taken steps to reform or abolish aspects of kafala, the re-introduction of an exit permit in Kuwait is set to enhance employer oversight on their staff. According to the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM), the primary objectives of the exit permit are multi-faceted: Strengthening oversight : The measure aims to enhance governmental oversight of expatriate worker movement, providing a clearer picture of who is entering and exiting the country. : The measure aims to enhance governmental oversight of expatriate worker movement, providing a clearer picture of who is entering and exiting the country. Balancing rights : The permit seeks to 'ensure a balance between the workers' and employers' rights.' This suggests an effort to prevent situations where workers might leave the country with outstanding financial obligations or without fulfilling their contractual duties. : The permit seeks to 'ensure a balance between the workers' and employers' rights.' This suggests an effort to prevent situations where workers might leave the country with outstanding financial obligations or without fulfilling their contractual duties. Minimising violations : The authority hopes to reduce violations linked to unauthorised departures, such as workers leaving without settling debts or without proper documentation. : The authority hopes to reduce violations linked to unauthorised departures, such as workers leaving without settling debts or without proper documentation. Curbing visa trading: A significant underlying motive for this regulation, as highlighted by officials, is to help curb illicit visa trading and irregularities within the labor market. The process for obtaining an exit permit has been designed to be primarily online and accessible 24/7. Worker's application : Expatriate workers can submit an electronic exit permit request using their Civil ID number and personal information via the unified government application for electronic services (Sahel) or the Ashal portal of the manpower authority. Workers have the right to choose the start and end dates of the permit upon submitting the application, and importantly, the permit does not entail any commitment to a specific return date. : Expatriate workers can submit an electronic exit permit request using their Civil ID number and personal information via the unified government application for electronic services (Sahel) or the Ashal portal of the manpower authority. Workers have the right to choose the start and end dates of the permit upon submitting the application, and importantly, the permit does not entail any commitment to a specific return date. Employer's approval : The application is then automatically sent to the employer for approval. Employers must use the Sahel-Business app or the Ashal portal. The system will automatically verify the employer-employee match before the permit is issued. Authorised individuals within a company can approve these requests automatically. : The application is then automatically sent to the employer for approval. Employers must use the Sahel-Business app or the Ashal portal. The system will automatically verify the employer-employee match before the permit is issued. Authorised individuals within a company can approve these requests automatically. Instant issuance : Once approved by the employer, the permit is issued instantly, without additional formalities. : Once approved by the employer, the permit is issued instantly, without additional formalities. Addressing denials and disputes: To mitigate potential misuse by employers, the government has provided a recourse for workers. If an employer fails to respond or unjustly denies a request without a valid reason, the worker can file a complaint with the Public Authority for Manpower. Beyond the exit permit, Kuwait has also implemented stricter rules governing family visas for expatriates, aiming to ensure that sponsors can financially support their dependents. The KD800 salary threshold Expatriates wishing to sponsor their spouses and children under Article 22 residency must now meet a minimum salary requirement of KD800 (approximately $2,610), a central feature of Kuwait's updated family visa policy. This threshold was first established in January 2024 under Ministerial Resolution No. 56, which originally also required applicants to hold a university degree and be employed in a profession aligned with their qualifications. However, a subsequent amendment in July 2024 removed the degree requirement, while keeping the income condition firmly in place as the key eligibility criterion. Targeted enforcement campaign Kuwaiti authorities, specifically the Residence Affairs Investigations Department, have launched a targeted campaign to identify and address violations of these new rules. This campaign has focused on expatriates who initially met the KD800 threshold but later fell below it due to job changes or reduced income. These individuals are now required to regularise their status within one month or face the prospect of sending their dependents back to their home countries. Profession consistency: Under Article 29 of the revised regulation, eligibility for family visas is limited to those employed in positions consistent with their declared professions. Discretionary exceptions: Discretionary exceptions may be granted for children under the age of five or those born inside Kuwait, subject to review by the Director General of Residency Affairs. Open process: The Interior Ministry emphasizes that the family visa process is open to all expatriates, regardless of nationality or educational background, provided the salary requirement is met.
