Kuwait has long been a destination for expatriates, attracting workers worldwide with promises of stable jobs and tax-free salaries. However, the Gulf nation is now tightening controls on who enters, stays, and leaves, introducing new rules that impact everything from labor rights to family sponsorship. If you work or live in Kuwait or are planning to move there, here is a detailed breakdown of the latest visa and residency regulations, including exit permits for private sector employees, updated family sponsorship rules, and how these changes affect expats.
Exit Permits Required for Private Sector Expats Starting July 1
Earlier this week, Kuwait announced a significant change affecting the country’s large expatriate workforce: all foreign private sector employees, who hold Article 18 residency, must now obtain explicit employer approval before leaving Kuwait.
- This exit permit system, which is common elsewhere in the Gulf under the
kafala sponsorship system , will be fully in force from July 1, 2025. - Practical implications: Private company employees cannot leave Kuwait, even temporarily, without their employer’s (the “kafeel”) approval submitted through the official government portals.
- This applies to both permanent departures and routine vacations.
- The process is digitized via the “Sahel” app or the Ashal Manpower Portal, but ultimate approval rests with the employer.
How the Exit Permit Process Works
The system is designed to be accessible, digital, and 24/7.
- Step 1: Worker submits application
Using their Civil ID and personal information, workers apply online via the Sahel app or the Ashal portal. They select start and end dates for the permit. The permit itself does not require a specific return date.
- Step 2: Employer approval
The request is automatically sent to the employer, who must approve it via the Sahel-Business app or the Ashal portal. The system verifies the employer-employee relationship before issuing the permit.
- Step 3: Instant permit issuance
Upon employer approval, the permit is issued immediately, with no further formalities.
- Handling denials or non-response:
If the employer fails to respond or denies a request without cause, the employee can submit a complaint to the
Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) to intervene.
Who is affected:
- All private sector expatriates under Article 18 residency and their dependents. Government employees have long required departmental permission for travel.
Why is this rule introduced now? Kuwaiti authorities say the measure aims to:
- Prevent illegal departures.
- Ensure workers fulfill their financial and contractual obligations.
- Crack down on abuses like absconding and labor market irregularities.
The Kafala Sponsorship System and the Exit Permit
The new exit permit is tightly connected to the kafala system, prevalent across the Gulf. Under kafala, migrant workers’ visas are linked to their employers, giving sponsors significant control over employees’ legal status and movement.
- While many Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have reformed or abolished parts of kafala, Kuwait’s reintroduction of the exit permit strengthens employer oversight.
- The Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) outlined several objectives for this rule:
- Strengthen oversight: Provide better government tracking of expatriate movement.
- Balance rights: “Ensure a balance between the workers’ and employers’ rights,” preventing workers from leaving without fulfilling obligations.
- Minimise violations: Reduce unauthorized departures such as workers absconding without clearing debts or proper documentation.
- Curb visa trading: Help combat illicit visa trading and labor market irregularities.
Stricter Family Visa Regulations and the KD800 Salary Threshold
Kuwait has also updated rules for family sponsorship, emphasizing sponsors’ ability to financially support their dependents.
- Minimum salary requirement:
To sponsor spouses and children under Article 22 residency, expatriates must earn at least KD800 (approximately $2,610) per month.
- Background:
This salary threshold was introduced in January 2024 under Ministerial Resolution No. 56. Initially, applicants also had to hold a university degree and be employed in a profession matching their qualifications.
However, a July 2024 amendment removed the degree requirement but maintained the income threshold as the primary eligibility factor.
- Enforcement campaign:
Kuwait’s Residence Affairs Investigations Department is actively identifying expatriates who initially met the KD800 salary but later fell below it due to job changes or salary reductions.
Those affected must regularize their status within one month, or they risk having their dependents sent back to their home countries.
Other Important Provisions and Exceptions
- Profession consistency:
According to Article 29 of the revised regulations, only expatriates employed in jobs consistent with their declared professions can sponsor family members.
- Discretionary exceptions:
Children under five years old or born inside Kuwait may be granted exceptions, but these require review and approval by the Director General of Residency Affairs.
- Open application process:
The Ministry of Interior emphasizes that the family visa process is open to all expatriates regardless of nationality or educational background, as long as they meet the salary requirement.