[Kuwait] 35,000 exit permits issued within days of new expat travel rule

In Kuwait, days after the government implemented a sweeping regulation for private-sector expatriates, more than 35,000 exit permits were issued under its newly launched approval system, Daijiworld News reports. 

The new regulation took effect on July 1, 2025. It mandates that all expats employed in the private sector must now obtain employer consent before travelling abroad. The move represents a significant development in the country’s ongoing labour and residency reforms.

The reform was reportedly driven by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousuf and aims to streamline exit procedures while tightening compliance with labour laws. Marzouq Al Otaibi - Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) - stated that all permits so far have been issued through verified employer-authorised platforms (notably the Sahel mobile app and Ashal manpower portals) which operate 24/7 for workers and employers.

The process has been designed for speed and ease: expatriates input their personal and travel details through electronic forms, employers approve the request online, and permits are issued instantly. The permits are valid for seven days; they can be printed or shown digitally at immigration checkpoints. In special situations, such as emergencies or technical difficulties, employers can apply on behalf of their staff.

The system has key safeguards in place. If an employer unjustifiably denies or delays approval, the expat has the right to lodge a formal complaint with PAM’s labour relations unit. Authorities have also clarified that there is no restriction on the number of exit permits a worker may request annually, if they receive employer approval each time.

Authorities have reportedly emphasised that the system is not meant to create unnecessary hurdles but to promote accountability and order within Kuwait’s labour framework. Al Otaibi stated that the objective is to protect the rights of both employers and employees while curbing misuse of travel privileges or undocumented departures.

The swift uptake, which saw over 35,000 permits issued in just a few days, suggests that expats are adapting quickly to the new regulation. Officials are advising workers to apply well in advance of travel and take full advantage of the digital tools designed to simplify the process.

Kuwait’s new exit permit policy isn’t simply a regulatory update but a digital-first, fairness-oriented step toward modernising labour governance. With active support mechanisms and transparency built in, the initiative is designed to ensure legal compliance while maintaining the dignity and mobility of the country’s expatriate workforce.

Source: Daijiworld News

In Kuwait, days after the government implemented a sweeping regulation for private-sector expatriates, more than 35,000 exit permits were issued under its newly launched approval system, Daijiworld News reports. 

The new regulation took effect on July 1, 2025. It mandates that all expats employed in the private sector must now obtain employer consent before travelling abroad. The move represents a significant development in the country’s ongoing labour and residency reforms.

The reform was reportedly driven by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al Yousuf and aims to streamline exit procedures while tightening compliance with labour laws. Marzouq Al Otaibi - Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) - stated that all permits so far have been issued through verified employer-authorised platforms (notably the Sahel mobile app and Ashal manpower portals) which operate 24/7 for workers and employers.

The process has been designed for speed and ease: expatriates input their personal and travel details through electronic forms, employers approve the request online, and permits are issued instantly. The permits are valid for seven days; they can be printed or shown digitally at immigration checkpoints. In special situations, such as emergencies or technical difficulties, employers can apply on behalf of their staff.

The system has key safeguards in place. If an employer unjustifiably denies or delays approval, the expat has the right to lodge a formal complaint with PAM’s labour relations unit. Authorities have also clarified that there is no restriction on the number of exit permits a worker may request annually, if they receive employer approval each time.

Authorities have reportedly emphasised that the system is not meant to create unnecessary hurdles but to promote accountability and order within Kuwait’s labour framework. Al Otaibi stated that the objective is to protect the rights of both employers and employees while curbing misuse of travel privileges or undocumented departures.

The swift uptake, which saw over 35,000 permits issued in just a few days, suggests that expats are adapting quickly to the new regulation. Officials are advising workers to apply well in advance of travel and take full advantage of the digital tools designed to simplify the process.

Kuwait’s new exit permit policy isn’t simply a regulatory update but a digital-first, fairness-oriented step toward modernising labour governance. With active support mechanisms and transparency built in, the initiative is designed to ensure legal compliance while maintaining the dignity and mobility of the country’s expatriate workforce.

Source: Daijiworld News